Here's the post, btw:
With less than 24 hours until kickoff, most Dolphins fans have their sights set on tomorrow's playoff matchup between the Fins and the Baltimore Ravens. And rightfully so. This will be the team's first playoff game since a 2002 loss to, you guessed it, the Ravens.
From the moment you look at this year's Ravens, you realize they are legitimate contenders. They have a talented quarterback, the league's fourth ranked rushing attack, and, of course, the staple of seemingly every Ravens squad in recent memory: a dominant defense. Anchored by three defensive Pro Bowlers, they rank in the top three in total defense, passing defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. They also lead the league in forced turnovers, and are a safe bet to rank near the top in hours of sleep lost by the opposing quarterback. Quite frankly, they are one of the best defensive units in history. The Dolphins have experienced this firsthand, finding points hard to come by in a mid-October loss to Baltimore.
But, fear not, Dolphins fans. All hope is not lost. It is apparent from watching the Dolphins this season that they are a team who can compete with and, ultimately, defeat anyone in the league.
But there's more. As most of us know, home field advantage is very evident in sports. And tomorrow's game will be played in Miami. In the NFL, from 1998-2007, the home team came out victorious in more than 60% of all contests. That's a significant edge, although it is surely not insurmountable.
Now, let's dig a little bit deeper. You probably think I'm about to tell you about the affect the crowd will have on Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco, how he will get rattled and struggle in his first road playoff game. But I'm not. Although the crowd probably will negatively affect Flacco (at least to some extent), he has actually performed better on the road than at home this season. But the Ravens D most certainly has not.
Ravens defense at home this season (per game): 10 points allowed, 149 passing yards allowed, 73.875 rushing yards allowed, 222.875 total yards allowed, .875 fumbles recovered, 1.875 interceptions, 2.75 turnovers forced
Ravens defense on the road this season (per game): 20.5 points allowed, 210.375 passing yards allowed, 88.875 rushing yards allowed, 299.25 total yards allowed, .125 fumbles recovered, 1.375 interceptions, 1.5 turnovers forced
Those road stats are solid, but don't strike me as legendary.
Now, the Ravens have had some great defensive performanceson the road this season, and they could have another one tomorrow (hopefully not!). But these stats still should not be discounted.
Go Dolphins!
