BALTIMORE (AP) -The Carolina Panthers figure it won't be long before Steve McNair displays the form that earned him an MVP award and three trips to the Pro Bowl.

They can only hope the process takes at least another week.

If the Panthers (3-2) are to earn their fourth consecutive victory Sunday, they can't allow McNair to break out of a funk that has brought the Baltimore offense to a virtual standstill. The Ravens have scored only one touchdown over a 114-minute span and totaled a mere 31 points in their last three games.

But McNair pulled out two games with fourth-quarter drives, and he did enough in his 12 years with Tennessee to warrant serious consideration from the Carolina defense - particularly NFL sacks co-leader Julius Peppers.

``I see the same Steve that I have seen over the years: a tough guy who can still play,'' Peppers said. ``He can still run for it if he isn't seeing it, so we have to be aware of that. He can definitely beat you.''

McNair has thrown six interceptions and is the 13th-ranked quarterback in the AFC, but those numbers have been offset by Baltimore's 4-1 start. Coach Brian Billick attributed McNair's shaky start to the adjustment required to learn a new offense, a legitimate assertion given that Air McNair spent his entire pro career with the Titans before landing in Baltimore in June.

McNair was lauded after bringing the Ravens back against Cleveland and San Diego, but he has had to fend off criticism since throwing three interceptions in a 13-3 loss Monday to Denver.

``I'm comfortable with this offense. We just need to execute better, all of us. We can't worry about what's being said on television or written in the papers,'' he said.

McNair has assumed the brunt of the responsibility for improving the offense.

``As a leader, you have to take it upon yourself to get yourself better and get this team better,'' he said. ``It's something I've been doing for a long time. Nobody ever said it was going to be an easy transition coming from Tennessee.''

Regardless, the Ravens remain certain he's the man best suited to lead the offense.

``I am excited that Steve is my quarterback. I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the world right now,'' tight end Daniel Wilcox said. ``I feel like we have a lot of room to grow and a lot of room to improve, which to me is a huge upside.''

Playing in a driving rain against the Broncos, McNair threw an interception in the end zone in the second quarter and couldn't produce a point in the second half.

``He'll make some plays and come around. It's not the first time he's had a game he's thrown two or three picks,'' center Mike Flynn said. ``He'll come back. He'll be focused. He's going to have a lot better game Sunday.''

Not if the Panthers have anything to say about it. After an 0-2 start, Carolina has regained its stature as one of the top teams in the NFC.

``At the start of the season we were just about as unfortunate as you could get,'' coach John Fox said. ``We just didn't get off to a real smooth start as far as the injury bug. It just takes you a little while to regroup from that.''

The Panthers are 3-0 since wide receiver Steve Smith returned from a thigh injury, but Carolina is still struggling on offense - even though quarterback Jake Delhomme has thrown four touchdown passes and just one interception.

``He has a good arm. He has great weapons around him. He has the best receiver in the league in Steve Smith,'' Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said. ``It's going to be a tough challenge for us.''

The Ravens' defense is used to carrying the offense, but Baltimore sure could use a hand from McNair. The veteran quarterback, in turn, wouldn't mind some assistance from a running game that ranks 24th in the NFL.

Running against the Panthers won't be easy, because Carolina improved the defensive front during the offseason by signing free agent tackle Maake Keomeatu, formerly of the Ravens.

``He is a big physical presence inside,'' Fox said. ``He is stout, he is hard to move out of there and he has been a good addition for us.''

That's no surprise to Flynn, who spent many a weekday banging helmets with Keomeatu on the practice field.

``He's a real strong guy, very good at the point of attack. He can take on double-teams. They needed a guy like that to stuff the run, and he does a great job,'' Flynn said. ``I had trouble with him in practice and I'm sure it will be a struggle in the game. That's probably the best front four we'll play all year.''

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