The excitement is building as we prepare for our first Dolphins playoff game in quite some time. As the Ravens come in, what will it take for our Phins to win this game? Well, obviously it will take much of the same things that wins most football games. The first few points I will make are pretty much general principles but then a few that will be specific to this Dolphins - Ravens matchup.
1. Obviously, turnovers are first. This is true of any game, but especially any Dolphins game. Not only do we have to be smart and protect the football against Ravens "ballhawking" defense...but we also must create a turnover or two as well. I would say it this way - we must get 1 more interception from Flacco then Pennington gives up. If Penny throws one, we need to get two from Flacco. If Penny doesnt throw any, we still need to get 1 from Flacco. In our first meeting, Penny threw a pick 6 and we got zero turnovers from the rookie quarterback. If that happens again, we are in trouble.
2. Time of Possession & Rushing the football. Again, the majority of time the team that wins the game also had more time of possession as well as more rushing yards. The Dolphins season is pretty clear that this is a major key to the game. In all of the 5 Dolphins losses this year - they lost the time of possession battle and they were outrushed by their opponent. Sparano says that his team knows what it takes to win...but he also goes on to say something that very few coaches ever say...that this team also knows what it takes to "lose". Well, the Dolphins are 1-5 this year when they lose the time of possession and rushing yards battle, with their only victory coming against San Fran. On the flip side, when the Dolphins win both of these categories or even just 1 of the 2 categories, they are 10-0!! So, it is crucial that we do not fall behind early and abandon the running game. We must start fast and keep this game close throughout. The Ravens dominated these 2 categories the first time we played them. Now, two things to remember about this point. First, I am not saying that we have to run for 150yds...we just need to outrush the Ravens. If we only run for 70, then we need to hold them to approximately the same. This cannot be a game where we rush for 50 and they run for 130. Second, time of possession can be won by a good short passing game as well. More important then lots of rushing yards, is that we possess the ball and continue to mix the run with the pass. We must have more rushing attempts than the last time we played them...even if they come out of a hurry up, shotgun/wildcat offense.
3. Red Zone efficiency. I am not too concerned with the Dolphins being able to move the football...they have been able to put together drives and first downs in almost every game. The last time we played the Ravens we moved the football even without much of a running game. But, we got bogged down in the red zone, which is a very difficult thing against the Ravens. We need to win the red zone battle. The first time we played, the Ravens scored 2 touchdowns in 3 red zone opportunities (66%)...the Dolphins only got 1 touchdown in 4 red zone possessions (25%).
4. The Ravens Screen Game. This has been a staple of Cam Cameron's offense since he was with the Chargers. They are very good at timing it and executing screen plays to their backs against a pass rush. In the first game, McGahee and Ray Rice had big plays off of screens. We must not allow breakaways on their screen game. We know Derrick Mason will get his (big time receiver)...but we must limit everyone else and especially not allow them to convert 3rd and long situations with a dump off.
5. Finally, I have a hunch that special teams will be the difference in this game. Everyone is talking about Dolphins wildcat vs. Ravens Defense. Some are mentioning that Dolphins must do better against Ravens run game and put pressure on Flacco. But, I havent heard anyone mention either teams' special teams. It scares me to bring this up...but this was a problem for the Dolphins earlier in the year. The Dolphins are much improved in this area over the past 6 weeks but often what was a problem earlier in the season rears its ugly head in the playoffs! While the Dolphins have had their trouble, the Ravens have had problems as well. The Ravens kick coverage unit gave up 2 touchdown returns also. So, something is going to give! I just hope it is the Ravens that let up a return to Bess, Ginn or Cobbs and not the Dolphins letting up a big return to Figurs, Leonhard or dare I say it...Ed Reed! Remember, Baltimore's head coach John Harbaugh's career was built by being a great special teams coach - so we will be challenged this week in this phase of the game. Harbaugh pulled off a great fake field goal against Dallas two weeks ago. Each team has blocked a punt this year as well.
I'm not sure who to give the edge to here, but I do believe that there will be one standout special teams play in this game - either punt or kick return, fake punt or kick, or a block punt or kick. At the end of the day - whichever team made the special teams play that you remember - will be the one who wins the game!
Go Phins!
1. Obviously, turnovers are first. This is true of any game, but especially any Dolphins game. Not only do we have to be smart and protect the football against Ravens "ballhawking" defense...but we also must create a turnover or two as well. I would say it this way - we must get 1 more interception from Flacco then Pennington gives up. If Penny throws one, we need to get two from Flacco. If Penny doesnt throw any, we still need to get 1 from Flacco. In our first meeting, Penny threw a pick 6 and we got zero turnovers from the rookie quarterback. If that happens again, we are in trouble.
2. Time of Possession & Rushing the football. Again, the majority of time the team that wins the game also had more time of possession as well as more rushing yards. The Dolphins season is pretty clear that this is a major key to the game. In all of the 5 Dolphins losses this year - they lost the time of possession battle and they were outrushed by their opponent. Sparano says that his team knows what it takes to win...but he also goes on to say something that very few coaches ever say...that this team also knows what it takes to "lose". Well, the Dolphins are 1-5 this year when they lose the time of possession and rushing yards battle, with their only victory coming against San Fran. On the flip side, when the Dolphins win both of these categories or even just 1 of the 2 categories, they are 10-0!! So, it is crucial that we do not fall behind early and abandon the running game. We must start fast and keep this game close throughout. The Ravens dominated these 2 categories the first time we played them. Now, two things to remember about this point. First, I am not saying that we have to run for 150yds...we just need to outrush the Ravens. If we only run for 70, then we need to hold them to approximately the same. This cannot be a game where we rush for 50 and they run for 130. Second, time of possession can be won by a good short passing game as well. More important then lots of rushing yards, is that we possess the ball and continue to mix the run with the pass. We must have more rushing attempts than the last time we played them...even if they come out of a hurry up, shotgun/wildcat offense.
3. Red Zone efficiency. I am not too concerned with the Dolphins being able to move the football...they have been able to put together drives and first downs in almost every game. The last time we played the Ravens we moved the football even without much of a running game. But, we got bogged down in the red zone, which is a very difficult thing against the Ravens. We need to win the red zone battle. The first time we played, the Ravens scored 2 touchdowns in 3 red zone opportunities (66%)...the Dolphins only got 1 touchdown in 4 red zone possessions (25%).
4. The Ravens Screen Game. This has been a staple of Cam Cameron's offense since he was with the Chargers. They are very good at timing it and executing screen plays to their backs against a pass rush. In the first game, McGahee and Ray Rice had big plays off of screens. We must not allow breakaways on their screen game. We know Derrick Mason will get his (big time receiver)...but we must limit everyone else and especially not allow them to convert 3rd and long situations with a dump off.
5. Finally, I have a hunch that special teams will be the difference in this game. Everyone is talking about Dolphins wildcat vs. Ravens Defense. Some are mentioning that Dolphins must do better against Ravens run game and put pressure on Flacco. But, I havent heard anyone mention either teams' special teams. It scares me to bring this up...but this was a problem for the Dolphins earlier in the year. The Dolphins are much improved in this area over the past 6 weeks but often what was a problem earlier in the season rears its ugly head in the playoffs! While the Dolphins have had their trouble, the Ravens have had problems as well. The Ravens kick coverage unit gave up 2 touchdown returns also. So, something is going to give! I just hope it is the Ravens that let up a return to Bess, Ginn or Cobbs and not the Dolphins letting up a big return to Figurs, Leonhard or dare I say it...Ed Reed! Remember, Baltimore's head coach John Harbaugh's career was built by being a great special teams coach - so we will be challenged this week in this phase of the game. Harbaugh pulled off a great fake field goal against Dallas two weeks ago. Each team has blocked a punt this year as well.
I'm not sure who to give the edge to here, but I do believe that there will be one standout special teams play in this game - either punt or kick return, fake punt or kick, or a block punt or kick. At the end of the day - whichever team made the special teams play that you remember - will be the one who wins the game!
Go Phins!
