The Associated Press

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Given another chance to start in the NFL, Jeff Blake has only one objective against the Atlanta Falcons.

It has nothing to do with wresting the Baltimore Ravens' quarterback job from injured Chris Redman.

"That really doesn't matter to me. I'm just going to try to do the best I can to help my team win," Blake said Wednesday.

During his 11-year career, Blake has served as a reserve with the New York Jets and has lost starting jobs with the Bengals and New Orleans Saints.

He signed with the Ravens in April with the understanding he would be Redman's backup. Blake served in that capacity until Sunday, when he was pressed into action as an emergency starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even though he didn't know he would play until an hour before the opening kickoff, Blake went 29-for-50 for 298 yards. He threw for one touchdown and ran for another in his first start since Nov.19, 2000.

Redman remains sidelined with back spasms, and Ravens coach Brian Billick hasn't dismissed the possibility of Blake taking the starting job from the inexperienced quarterback. Blake, however, isn't looking beyond Sunday.

"Regardless of whether this is my last week, or next week is my last week, or the first series might be my last series, I just take one day at a time and see what happens," he said.

The 31-year-old Blake has assumed that attitude in part because he knows there are no guarantees in football.

He was the Saints' starter in 2000 before a foot injury paved the way for Aaron Brooks to wrestle away the starting job.

Blake threw one pass with the Saints last season as Brooks' backup and expected more of the same this year while the Ravens groomed Redman to be their quarterback of the future.

"Jeff knew what his situation was when he came in," Billick said. "I made it very clear to him that we were going to commit to Chris Redman, and he understood the circumstances of what it was going to take to get him into a game."

Those circumstances came into play Sunday, when Redman was unable to shake the pain in his lower back. Blake played well in his place, despite spending the entire week working with the scout team.

Now he gets a shot at the Falcons following a full week with the starting offense.