AFC.(evaluation of football teams.)

Baltimore

TOUGH TASK: OT Harry Swayne has had problems with the defensive end he'll face in Sunday's playoff game, Tennessee's Jevon Kearse. Making matters worse, Kearse seems to have gotten better in the second half of the year. Kearse's legs look fresh, and he is still running halfbacks down from the opposite side of the field. Swayne is in his 14th season and has been bothered by hamstring and ankle problems the last two years.... The Ravens have to be able to run the ball against the Titans. Tennessee will stack the line of scrimmage with eight or nine players, but the Ravens must stay with the game plan and not rely on the passing of Trent Dilfer.... The Titans will try to batter the defense with RB Eddie George, but it always seems that QB Steve McNair does the most damage, often in the final 2 minutes of games. The Ravens have to eliminate big plays by McNair--passing and running--throughout the game.... The club needs to win the field-position battle against the Titans, who have superb special teams.

SHARPE'S EDGE: TE Shannon Sharpe has played a key role for the Ravens this season, not just on offense but in a leadership capacity. He has become Dilfer's go-to receiver and still has the ability to go deep. Sharpe has been the vocal leader of a struggling offense, and he and Swayne are the only two members of the offense who have played in a Super Bowl. Last Sunday, Sharpe made the biggest play in the playoff victory over Denver. He caught the deflection of a Dilfer pass and ran for a 58-yard touchdown with 4:06 left in the second quarter. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

LOOKING FOR CLOSURE: The Bills have a number of priorities for the offseason, but putting an end to the Rob Johnson-Doug Flutie quarterback controversy has to be one of the highest. The issue has dominated this team for three seasons, and the players are weary of dealing with it Many players feel it's time for the team to commit fully to one. "Rob is playing with the pressure of always looking over his shoulder and thinking, `OK, when is Flutie coming in?'" RB Antowain Smith says. "I think that's a lot on a person because you're always looking over your back." Johnson, 27, has a lot of talent, but his inability to stay healthy concerns the team. He regressed as the season progressed, which opened the door for Flutie to make another bid to be the starter. Flutie, 38, made a compelling argument with a 366-yard, three-TD performance in the finale. The team likely will not be able to keep both because of salary-cap limitations. With big-ticket free agents WR Eric Moulds and DE Marcellus Wiley needing to be re-signed, the Bills can't afford to pay top dollar for two quarterbacks. Given Flutie's age and the fact he would represent more of a cap savings, he probably will be the one to go.

ON THE MEND: It looks like LB Sam Cowart will be able to play in his first Pro Bowl. Cowart, who missed the final four games with a high ankle sprain, is recovering well and should be cleared in time for the game. It would be a fitting end to the season for Cowart, who was arguably the best inside linebacker in the NFL this season. At the time of the injury, Cowart was leading the league with 181 tackles. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati