Alex Marvez
Dolphins/NFL writer
Dolphins 13, Ravens 12
DOLPHINS RUNNING GAME VS. RAVENS RUN DEFENSE:
For a team trying to get its ground game back on track, Baltimore isn't the ideal opponent. The Ravens have surrendered just five rushing touchdowns and field two of the NFL's best run-stuffing linebackers in Ray Lewis and the underrated Ed Hartwell. Ricky Williams was stuffed in losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee as the Dolphins gained a combined 106 rushing yards, which is the team's lowest two-game total in three-plus seasons under coach Dave Wannstedt. It's important that center Seth McKinney does a solid job handling the line calls while make his second start of the season in place of the injured Tim Ruddy (knee). Edge: Ravens.
DOLPHINS PASSING GAME VS. RAVENS PASS DEFENSE:
Dolphins quarterback Brian Griese has experienced a brutal two-game stretch replacing the injured Jay Fiedler (knee), getting sacked nine times and losing four fumbles. Baltimore has limited its past three opponents to less than 187 passing yards and surrendered just one reception of more than 50 yards this season. Ex-University of Miami safety Ed Reed's five interceptions already match his total from last season. After surrendering six sacks in the past two games, rookie left tackle Wade Smith will probably get tested by blitzing Ravens linebackers Terrell Suggs (six sacks) and Peter Boulware (3.5). Edge: Ravens.
RAVENS RUNNING GAME VS. DOLPHINS RUN DEFENSE:
The Dolphins haven't allowed a 100-yard rushing performance this season, but Baltimore's Jamal Lewis has a legitimate shot at ending that streak. Lewis has rushed for an NFL-high 1,156 yards behind the league's heaviest offensive line (329.5-pound average). The Ravens will be forced to rely even more on Lewis with unproven Anthony Wright replacing injured starting quarterback Kyle Boller (knee). Middle linebacker Zach Thomas (groin) said he won't know whether he can play until warm-ups. Tommy Hendricks had 19 tackles in place of Thomas against Tennessee but struggled in pass coverage. Edge: Dolphins.
RAVENS PASSING GAME VS. DOLPHINS PASS DEFENSE:
Wright was promoted from third-string to starter because Chris Redman committed three of Baltimore's seven turnovers in relief of Boller in last Sunday's 33-22 loss to St. Louis. All of Wright's five career starts came with Dallas during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, but he does possess better mobility than Redman. Wright might need to use it with right guard Bennie Anderson and right tackle Orlando Brown struggling. Todd Heap leads all NFL tight ends with 35 receptions, but the Ravens have one of the league's worst corps of wide receivers excluding Travis Taylor. The Dolphins failed to generate a turnover or sack against Tennessee, but the expected return of cornerback Patrick Surtain (ankle) should help the pass defense. Edge: Dolphins.
RAVENS SPECIAL TEAMS RETURNS VS. DOLPHINS SPECIAL TEAMS COVERAGE:
Baltimore ranks in the bottom third of the league in punt and kickoff returns, both of which are handled by L
doesn't sound too good!
Dolphins/NFL writer
Dolphins 13, Ravens 12
DOLPHINS RUNNING GAME VS. RAVENS RUN DEFENSE:
For a team trying to get its ground game back on track, Baltimore isn't the ideal opponent. The Ravens have surrendered just five rushing touchdowns and field two of the NFL's best run-stuffing linebackers in Ray Lewis and the underrated Ed Hartwell. Ricky Williams was stuffed in losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee as the Dolphins gained a combined 106 rushing yards, which is the team's lowest two-game total in three-plus seasons under coach Dave Wannstedt. It's important that center Seth McKinney does a solid job handling the line calls while make his second start of the season in place of the injured Tim Ruddy (knee). Edge: Ravens.
DOLPHINS PASSING GAME VS. RAVENS PASS DEFENSE:
Dolphins quarterback Brian Griese has experienced a brutal two-game stretch replacing the injured Jay Fiedler (knee), getting sacked nine times and losing four fumbles. Baltimore has limited its past three opponents to less than 187 passing yards and surrendered just one reception of more than 50 yards this season. Ex-University of Miami safety Ed Reed's five interceptions already match his total from last season. After surrendering six sacks in the past two games, rookie left tackle Wade Smith will probably get tested by blitzing Ravens linebackers Terrell Suggs (six sacks) and Peter Boulware (3.5). Edge: Ravens.
RAVENS RUNNING GAME VS. DOLPHINS RUN DEFENSE:
The Dolphins haven't allowed a 100-yard rushing performance this season, but Baltimore's Jamal Lewis has a legitimate shot at ending that streak. Lewis has rushed for an NFL-high 1,156 yards behind the league's heaviest offensive line (329.5-pound average). The Ravens will be forced to rely even more on Lewis with unproven Anthony Wright replacing injured starting quarterback Kyle Boller (knee). Middle linebacker Zach Thomas (groin) said he won't know whether he can play until warm-ups. Tommy Hendricks had 19 tackles in place of Thomas against Tennessee but struggled in pass coverage. Edge: Dolphins.
RAVENS PASSING GAME VS. DOLPHINS PASS DEFENSE:
Wright was promoted from third-string to starter because Chris Redman committed three of Baltimore's seven turnovers in relief of Boller in last Sunday's 33-22 loss to St. Louis. All of Wright's five career starts came with Dallas during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, but he does possess better mobility than Redman. Wright might need to use it with right guard Bennie Anderson and right tackle Orlando Brown struggling. Todd Heap leads all NFL tight ends with 35 receptions, but the Ravens have one of the league's worst corps of wide receivers excluding Travis Taylor. The Dolphins failed to generate a turnover or sack against Tennessee, but the expected return of cornerback Patrick Surtain (ankle) should help the pass defense. Edge: Dolphins.
RAVENS SPECIAL TEAMS RETURNS VS. DOLPHINS SPECIAL TEAMS COVERAGE:
Baltimore ranks in the bottom third of the league in punt and kickoff returns, both of which are handled by L
doesn't sound too good!