From what I have been seeing and reading the opinion's are pretty much split 50/50 on the game. I think ESPN as a network is unsurprisingly bias. Most of their coverage seems to be more about how things need to unfold for the Patriots to win the division and the Jets to back in as the wild card. Like I say it is really no surprise to me. Neither the Dolphins or the Ravens are ESPN's teams of choice.
They would much rather renew the fanfare and tickertate parade for Brett Favre, the 39 yr old veteran who hasn't lost his magic. The guy who could be the savior to the Jets and Mangini. The guy who is better then Chad Pennington. The guy who is worthy of another pro bowl nomination even if his numbers don't justify it.
Lets not forget the other story line they want to run too. That Coach of all coaches. The all mighty Bill Belicheck. The guy who has defied all odds to continue his playoff appearances streak. What a great accomplishment he has pulled off with a team riddled with injuries, including but not limited to the loss of their HOF QB Tom Brady.
Two great story's for the ESPN cronies. They can then send the Dolphins back to their media coverage desert with a condescending little pat on the head. I can hear it now. They will very briefly review our season and comment on what a great try our little team made at trying to usurp the giants in our division and to get into the big boys game. It was a nice try but now its time to go sit back down at the kiddie table again where we belong.
The sad part is how typically predictable their coverage has become. How disappointed they will be in our Dolphins if they show up to play Sunday. Win the game and not conform to their fairytale story line. They will be forced to say good things about us. They will minimize our accomplishments and no doubtingly cite things like our easy schedule to discount it all. We will hear about how we tricked the league using gimmickry like the wildcat. Undoubtedly they will mention how we don't pass the test when we play playoff teams and use the games we played against the Cardinals and the Ravens as their proof.
Now I know there re some of you who frequent this site who will accuse me of being a paranoid conspiracy nut. That is what prompted me to preemptively create this post before week 17 results are in. I laid out the story line for both scenarios for us before they have happened. Remember this post once the playoffs have started and see if these words have not come to tuition.