NFL Wildcard Round: Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins

Rookie coaches play witch doctor, bringing the Baltimore Ravens & Miami Dolphins back from the dead & into the playoffs!

Ravens vs. Dolphins Overview:
Possibly the only thing more embarrassing than being 1-15 is being the team that spotted a winless team their only win of the season. The Miami Dolphins endured the 1-15 marathon, but it was the tough 5-11 Baltimore Ravens that kept the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers from popping the champagne for another year. The addition of rookie head coach Steve Sparano, a new front office, and Bill Parcells has turned the Miami Dolphins from chumps to champs in one year. Fans with Baltimore Ravens playoff tickets have seen their team transformed by a rookie coach as well.

Miami Dolphins Offense:
The Miami Dolphins “Wildcat” formation has been imitated in the NFL and NCAA but fails miserably everywhere else except in Miami. With RB Ronnie Brown taking direct snaps along with RB Ricky Williams in the backfield, the Miami Dolphins offense is unpredictable and at times unstoppable. In conventional alignment, QB Chad Pennington is in the midst of a career resurgence and is a favorite of fans with Miami Dolphins playoff tickets thanks to his accurate passes and savvy leadership. WRs Ted Ginn, Jr. and Devon Bess join TE Anthony Fasano as unlikely stars.

Miami Dolphins Defense:
Outside linebacker Joey Porter commands an aggressive 3-4 defense and has an impressive 17.5 sacks on the season with OLB Matt Roth chipping in as well. DL line Vonnie Holiday, Phillip Merling, and Jason Fergeson clog the running lanes and occupy the blockers. ILBs Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodle have established mean streaks and cause havoc in the middle. All the talent up front gives the talented Miami Dolphins secondary plenty of help against the pass. Fans with Miami Dolphins playoff tickets love S Yerimiah Bell as he leads the team in tackles.

Baltimore Ravens Offense:
The Baltimore Ravens had the dual burden of a rookie head coach and a rookie QB to deal with. Luckily QB Joe Flacco has caught on quickly and manages the game like a seasoned pro. As good as Joe Flacco is, the Baltimore Ravens return to their favorite dance partner, the running game, to get it done every week. FB/RB Le’Ron McClain is the leading rusher but shares the load with RBs Willis McGahee and Ray Rice. FB Lorenzo Neal is a favorite of fans with Baltimore Ravens playoff tickets as the 16-year vet isn’t afraid to break a facemask or two.

Baltimore Ravens Defense:
Not since the legendary 2000 team has a Baltimore Ravens defense been so deadly. NT Haloti Ngata and DE Trevor Pryce make more plays than any 3-4 linemen should and can rule the 4-3 as well. ILB Ray Lewis is a versatile player in the 4-3/3-3 hybrid and seems to be an ageless wonder. DE/OLB Terrell Suggs is bound for the Pro Bowl, and his constant pressure off the edge forces sacks and turnovers. With seven interceptions and three touchdowns on the year, Pro Bowl FS Ed Reed is what the term “ballhawk” is all about and defines the position.

Miami Dolphins Keys to Victory:
There will be plenty of positioning and good ol’ football chicanery as the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense of the Baltimore Ravens meets the sneaky Wildcat attack of the Miami Dolphins. Fans with tickets for the NFL playoffs will be amazed by the constant adjustments on both sides. In order for the Miami Dolphins to be successful, Wildcat or orthodox, they must win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Rookie LT Jake Long and DE/OLB Terrell Suggs will be the match up fans with Miami Dolphins playoff tickets will be looking at. Chad Pennington is a great QB but must not throw anywhere near Ed Reed.

Fans with Miami Dolphins playoff tickets will see their team move on if the ‘Phins can stop the run. Saying that is easy, but dealing with the large offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens is difficult. It will be up to the front three of the defense to hold the line so the LBs can make tackles. If the run can be shut off or at least slowed down, then OLB Joey Porter can be let off his leash against young LT Jared Gaither. QB Joe Flacco is a great manager of the game but cannot beat a team by himself yet. The great talent of the CBs enables the safeties to come into the box.

Baltimore Ravens Keys to Victory:
Fans with Baltimore Ravens playoff tickets hope to see their offensive line fire off the ball and get a good push early. The 3-4 defense has some weakness against big offensive lines in the running game, and the Baltimore Ravens will ram it down the throat of the Miami Dolphins if they are given half a chance. The 250 pounds of Le’Ron McClain behind FB Lorenzo Neal will tire out the defense quickly and set up Willis McGahee for several long runs later. QB Joe Flacco must take any plays he can get off of play action but can’t leave his receivers out to dry with S Yerimiah Bell in the middle.

The beauty of the Baltimore Ravens hybrid defense is that it enables them to play to the strength of their opponent. On the first two downs, the Baltimore Ravens will call for the beef and bring in their 4-3 personnel to clog the middle. With the 4-3 in place, NT Haloti Ngata can act as a kind of blocker and allow ILB Ray Lewis to read the play and fill, whether it’s the Wildcat or the traditional run attack. On passing situations the 3-4 defense can be called out as Miami Dolphins LT Jake Long has struggled against 3-4 pass rushers like Terrell Suggs. Ed Reed must stay fluid to pick off Chad Pennington. 

Dolphins vs. Ravens Outlook:
As AFC East Champions, the Miami Dolphins will welcome the Baltimore Ravens to sunny Florida, much to the relief of fans with NFL playoffs tickets that want to avoid frostbite. It may not be the big advantage that playing in Baltimore would give the Ravens, but the Miami Dolphins will take anything they can get to find an edge. Fans with Miami Dolphins playoff tickets did not want their team to draw the Baltimore Ravens as the physical nature of the team decimates any team they face and makes the training staff work overtime.

With the real possibility of being the most cerebral game of 2008, fans with NFL playoffs tickets who appreciate the small nuances of the game will be in for a real treat on the field. From the comeback-saga storyline, to the 4-3/3-4 vs. the Wildcat, to the inevitable trash talk between Joey Porter and Ray Lewis, this NFL Wild Card game will have something for everybody. Fans with Baltimore Ravens playoffs tickets will see their team earn redemption after the burning insult of the 2007 loss thanks to a powerful run game and the brain trust of their excellent coaching staff.