Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) - Sunday, CBS (1:00 PM ET)
The win would be the first of four in a row for Baltimore and also the first of nine victories in their final 11 games. "That game was a turning point," says Ravens T Willie Anderson. "The world was saying we were done."
And for the Miami Dolphins, they would win their next four for nine in their final 10 as both teams ended 11-5.
"We had no identity then," says Miami CB Andre' Goodman. "We didn’t know who we were, but now we have a pretty good idea."
It will be a "chess-move" matchup.
The Miami Dolphins finished the season with the second fewest interceptions in the league (7 to Washington's 6). Baltimore had the most pickoffs with 26. This all leads to one of the most interesting matchups of the day: Miami QB Chad Pennington, the NFL’s all-time leader in completion percentage (66.0), against Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed, the league-leader this year in interceptions (9), including four in the last two games.
Quite the Turnaround for the Dolphins
Since dropping a 27-13 decision to the visiting Ravens this season, the Dolphins have been one of the hottest teams
in the NFL, winning 9 of 10, including 5 in a row on the road. In their must-win contest at the Jets last Sunday, Miami
intercepted Brett Favre 3 times on its way to a 24-17 victory.
The Dolphins, who completed one of the best turnarounds in NFL history (2007: 1-15 to 2008: 11-5) won their 1st AFC
East title since 2000. The dramatic change for the Dolphins started with the hiring of Bill Parcells as
executive VP-football operations. Parcells, who had been the Cowboys’ head coach from 2003-06, turned to Dallas for key hires. Jeff Ireland, who had recently been
the Cowboys’ VP of college and pro scouting, joined Parcells as the Dolphins’ GM. Tony Sparano, who was Dallas’ assistant head
coach/offensive line in 2007, was named the head coach.
Of course, a key acquisition was the signing of QB Chad Pennington, a 9-year veteran released by the Jets in July
after they signed Favre. Among the impressive victories this season for the Dolphins were a 38-13 smashing of the
Patriots, a key win over the Chargers (17-10), a sweep of Buffalo (25-16 and 16-3) and a 26-17 triumph at Denver.
The Miami offense features RBs Ronnie Brown (916 yards) and Ricky Williams (659 yards) and a pair of
50-plus-catch WRs: Ted Ginn (56) and rookie Davone Bess (54). LT Jake Long, the 1st pick in the 2008
draft, anchors an offensive line that allowed Pennington to throw 19 TDs with just 7 picks. On defense
Joey Porter has terrorized QBs this season, producing an AFC-high 17.5 sacks, including 2 against the
Ravens. Joining Porter is outstanding ILB Channing Crowder and a 2 veteran D-linemen, Vonnie Holliday
and Jason Ferguson. Starting CBs Andre Goodman and Will Allen have played well and have 5 and 3 INTs,
respectively.
For the Dolphins, the victory over the Jets was, in essence, a microcosm of the Dolphins 2008 campaign.
Despite being down in the third quarter at 17-14, the Dolphins did not let that deficit increase, giving
them a chance for a comeback. After taking a 21-17 lead in the third period, the Dolphins then put the
game away in the fourth quarter by posting the game’s only three points over the final 15 minutes of
play. A blocked punt and an interception also were key components of this fourth quarter success.
The Dolphins will need to do the same this week against a Ravens team that earned a Wild Card
berth as a result of their 27-7 victory last Sunday over Jacksonville. They are led by a rookie
head coach in John Harbaugh as well as a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. The running attack
compiled more 2,376, led by LeRon McClain, while Derrick Mason surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau.
Baltimore has boasted one of the NFL’s top defensive units for much of the decade, and 2008 has
been no exception, as they finished the season ranked as the No. 2 overall unit in the NFL. Safety
Ed Reed led the NFL in 2008 with nine interceptions while linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs
make this one of the most feared units in football.
The Ravens earned the 2nd Wild Card spot in the AFC playoffs with an 11-5 record, which included a
9-2 mark after starting the season 2-3. Baltimore set an NFL record for most wins by a team with both
a rookie head coach (John Harbaugh) and rookie QB (Joe Flacco) – tied with Atlanta’s Mike Smith and
Matt Ryan.
Baltimore finished 1 game behind Pittsburgh (12-4) in the AFC North. Impressive victories
came at Miami (27-13), at Houston (41-13), over the Eagles (36-7) and at Dallas (33-24) in the last
game played at Texas Stadium. Most difficult of the losses were 2 memorable battles with the Steelers
(23-20 in OT at Pit. and 13-9) and a home loss to Tennessee (13-10).
"To me the Baltimore Ravens are one of the most frightening teams in the NFL right now. With the way they can
play defense and now Joe Flacco getting hot, watch out, we may have another team coming off the bottom of the
seedings and winning a Super Bowl."
NBC's Chris Collinsworth on the Ravens
The Ravens defense turned in another dominant season.
Ranked 2nd in the NFL, the defense set 3 team records: opponent QB rating (60.6), rushing TDs
allowed (4) and rushing 1st downs allowed (58). Baltimore led the NFL with 26 INTs, including 9
by S Ed Reed, which was also an NFL high. The Ravens finished the regular season ranked as the NFL’s
No. 2 defense (261.1 ypg). Baltimore’s rush defense (81.4) ranked 3rd, while the pass defense (179.7)
finished 2nd.. The Ravens also were tops in the NFL producing "3-and-outs" (60). They did not
allow a 100-yard rusher for the 2nd straight season (current string is 35 games, dating back to 2006).
This season, the Ravens 34 takeaways ranked No. 1 in the NFL. The Ravens also produced the NFL's 3rd-best
turnover ratio of +13.
Ravens offense solid
Rookie QB Joe Flacco (18th selection in 1st round) started every game. In Flacco’s 1st 5
games, when the Ravens went 2-3, Joe threw 1 TD and 7 INTs for a QB rating of 60.6. Over the
last 11 games of the regular season (9-2), Flacco threw 13 TDs with 5 INTs and produced a
90.2 rating.
"Here's the guy that is the most unlikely quarterback personality that I've ever met in my life. You know in high
school and college he never owned a car. He never owned a car and he still doesn't. When he finally got to Baltimore,
someone gave him a car. He's just a gym rat, and this is the first time that I remember a Baltimore Ravens defense
ever liking their quarterback."
NBC Analyst, John Madden
The Ravens were the only team in the NFL to have RBs gain over 900 (Le’Ron McClain),
650 (Willis McGahee) and 450 (Ray Rice) rushing yards. Baltimore led the NFL in time of possession
(33:10). WR Derrick Mason produced 80 catches for 1,037 yards.
Series: Dolphins 5-2 Edge
The Dolphins lead the regular season series, 5-2, but the Ravens have 2 of the past 3.
The Dolphins hold a 4-1 lead over the Ravens in games decided in South Florida.
The Ravens lone regular season win in South Florida occurred in the most recent matchup (10/19/2008), a 27-13
decision on October 19, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium. In that game, Terrell Suggs broke a 3-3 tie when he returned
an interception 44 yards for a touchdown, 6:16 into the second quarter. After a Dan Carpenter 26-yard field
goal four minutes later closed the gap to four points, the Ravens reeled off each of the game’s next 10 points
and 17 of the final 24. Baltimore Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco passed for 232 yards & 1 TD for a 120.2 passer
rating.
The Baltimore Ravens won the lone postseason matchup, a 20-3 decision in a First-Round game on
January 13, 2002 in Miami. Baltimore's offense rushed for 226 yards, including
109 yards by RB Terry Allen. The Ravens defense limited Miami to 151 total net yards.
NFL 2008 Regular Season Common Opponents
In addition to this season head-to-head matchup, the Ravens and Dolphins share the Oakland Raiders and Houston
Texans as common opponents. The Ravens defeated both Oakland (29-10 Home 10/26/2008) and Houston (41-13 @Houston 11/9/2008).
Meanwhile, the Dolphins defeated the Raiders (17-15 Home 11/16/2008) and lost to the Texans (29-28 @Houston 10/12/2008).
Ravens & Dolphins in 2008 Comparison
|
2008 Record | 11-5 | 11-5 | |
Current Streak | 2 Won | 5 Won | |
Points Scored | 385 | 345 | |
TDs Scored | 42 | 40 | |
Rushing TDs Scored | 20 | 18 | |
Passing TDs Scored | 16 | 20 | |
TDs on Returns | 6 | 2 | |
Points Against | 244 | 317 | |
TDs Allowed | 26 | 33 | |
Rushing TDs Allowed | 4 | 11 | |
Passing TDs Allowed | 17 | 18 | |
TDs Allowed by Return | 5 | 4 | |
Turnover Ratio | +13 | +17 | |
Red Zone TD Pct. For | 47.1% | 60.0% | |
Red Zone TD Pct. Against | 35.9% | 48.9% | |
KOR Avg. For | 20.1 | 22.9 | |
KOR Avg. Against | 22.6 | 19.7 | |
PR Avg. For | 8.6 | 9.4 | |
PR Avg. Against | 6.4 | 9.0 | |
NFL 2008 Week 17: Baltimore Ravens 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 7
With a convincing 27-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, the Ravens (11-5) clinched the sixth
and final AFC playoff spot.
Jacksonville held a brief 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but it was all Ravens from then on out, as Baltimore
scored 24 unanswered points with three long scoring drives in the second half. Joe Flacco was 17-of-23 for a
career-high 297 yards and a 115.8 passer rating.
NFL 2008 Week 17: Miami Dolphins 24, New York Jets 17
The Dolphins clinched the 13th AFC East title in team history and their first since 2000 as a
result of their 24-17 victory over the Jets last Sunday at the Meadowlands
The first points of the game
were not produced until there was 6:47 remaining in the second quarter when Brett Favre found Laveranues
Coles for a 13-yard TD pass, eight plays after Bryan Thomas stripped the ball from Chad Pennington on a
sack and Jason Trusnik recovered at the Jets’ 49. Five plays prior to the score Favre connected with
Jerricho Cotchery for a 26-yard completion on third-and-13, putting the Jets at the Dolphins’ 28. The snap on the PAT
was mishandled.
The Dolphins took a one-point lead with 2:18 to play in the opening half on a 27-yard TD pass from Pennington to
Ted Ginn, capping a six-play, 60-yard drive. Three plays prior to the score, Pennington connected with Anthony Fasano
for an 8-yard completion on third-and-5 from the Dolphins’ 45.
On the next play from scrimmage, Phillip Merling plucked a Favre pass out of the air and raced 25 yards for a touchdown.
The Jets got the ball back and marched 67 yards in 10 plays ending with a 28-yard field goal by Jay Feely as time
expired in the first half. The Jets started the drive at the Dolphins’ 28 after an errant snap on a punt.
The Jets regained the lead on a 10-yard TD run by Leon Washington, 4:27 into the second half, five plays after the
Jets commenced their scoring drive at the Dolphins’ 28 following an errant snap on a punt.
Favre connected with Cotchery on the two-point conversion attempt. The Dolphins responded with a six-play, 80-yard
drive that ended with 20-yard TD pass from Pennington to Fasano. Pennington completed all five of his pass attempts,
totaling 79 yards, en route to the score. The Dolphins opened a seven-point advantage 5:40 into the fourth quarter
on a 48-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, six plays after Charlie Anderson blocked a Reggie Hodges punt, giving
the Dolphins field position at the Jets’ 49.
André Goodman came up with his second interception of the game, when he snared a Favre pass and returned it three yards to the Dolphins’ 28
with 4:53 to play in the game. The Dolphins then were able to run out all but the final 17 seconds of the contest,
with the key play being a 2-yard run by Pennington on fourth-and-1 from the Jets’ 40.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
The Ravens make their 1st playoff appearance since 2006 as they won 9 of their past 11 games Ravens are 2-1 (.667) record in Wild Card games & aims for 2nd consecutive win against Dolphins in
postseason Ravens have 3-1 (.750) road record in postseason In past 11, rookie QB
JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) has completed 167 of 284 passes (58.8 pct.) for 2,127 yards with 13 TDs vs.
5 INTs & 90.2 passer rating. In last meeting against Miami, Flacco completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9 pct.)
for 232 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs & 120.2 passer rating In past 11, Ravens are averaging 155.5
rush yards per game (1,710 total rush yards) Miami native RB WILLIS MC GAHEE averages 93.5 rush
yards per game against Dolphins & aims for 3rd consecutive game with 100 or more rush yards (104, 105) vs.
Miami. McGahee will make 1st career playoff appearance FB LE’ RON MC CLAIN led team with 11 TDs
(10 rush, 1 receiving) in 2008. McClain was selected to 1st career Pro Bowl WR DERRICK MASON
(1,037) reached 1,000 receiving yards for 7th season in career. Mason aims for 3rd consecutive game with
TD reception against Miami. WR MARK CLAYTON averaged career-high 17.0 yards per catch in 2008 (41 rec.,
695 yards) In 2 career Wild Card games, TE TODD HEAP has 7 rec. for 91 yards (13.0 avg.) with 1 TD Ravens led NFL with 26 INTs (2nd most in Ravens history) Club aims for 9th consecutive game with
INT in playoffs In 2 career postseason games, S ED REED has 3 INTs & aims for 3rd consecutive playoff
game with INT. Reed tied career-high with 9 INTs in 2008 & has 4 in past 2 games Ravens have not allowed
RB to gain 100+ rush yards in 35 regular-season games (longest current streak in NFL) & have not allowed RB to rush
for 100+ yards in past 8 postseason games (tied for 4th longest active streak) LB RAY LEWIS registered
team-high 160 tackles in 2008 Club had 5 players selected to Pro Bowl (Lewis, McClain, Reed, special
teamer BRENDON AYANBADEJO & DE TERRELL SUGGS).
Miami Dolphins (11-5)
The Dolphins won their 13th AFC East title & 1st since 2000 Miami has 15-6 (.714) postseason
record at home With 11-5 record in 2008, Dolphins won 10 more games than last year & tied 1999 Colts
(3-13; 13-13) for largest 1-season win improvement Team has won 5 consecutive games & 9 of past 10 Rookie head coach TONY SPARANO guided team to playoffs in 1st year at helm Club registered 13
turnovers & tied 2008 Giants for fewest turnovers in NFL history In 5 career postseason games, QB CHAD
PENNINGTON has completed 107 of 178 passes (60.1 pct.) for 1,166 yards with 7 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 83.2 passer rating.
Pennington will make 2nd career postseason start at home (w/Jets on 1/4/03). In 2008, Pennington posted career-high
3,653 passing yards & set Dolphins season record with 67.4 completion percentage (min. 75 completions). In 1 career
start against Ravens (10/19/08), Pennington completed 24 of 35 passes (68.6 pct.) for 295 yards with 1 TD vs. 1 INT &
92.0 passer rating RB RONNIE BROWN posted career-high 10 rush TDs in 2008 & was selected to 1st Pro Bowl.
Brown will make 1st postseason appearance. In 3 career games against Ravens, RB RICKY WILLIAMS averages 74.3 rush
yards per game & has 2 games with 100+ rush yards (102, 105). Williams will make 1st postseason appearance with
Dolphins WR TED GINN JR. totaled career-high 56 receptions for 790 yards (14.1 avg.) with 2 TDs in 2008.
Rookie WR DAVONE BESS (54 receptions) ranks 3rd in franchise history for most receptions in season by rookie (TERRY
KIRBY, 75 in ’93; JACK CLANCY, 67 in ’67). Bess posted 1st career TD reception against Ravens TE ANTHONY FASANO
(7 TDs) tied franchise record for most TD receptions among TEs in single-season (KEITH JACKSON in ’94) Incl. postseason, LB JOEY PORTER has 8 career sacks against Ravens. Porter led AFC with 17.5 sacks in 2008 Rookie K DAN CARPENTER (21 FGs) tied UWE VON SCHAMANN for 2nd-most FGs by Dolphins rookie &
his 103 points rank 2nd among Miami rookie kickers (FUAD REVEIZ, 116 in ’85).
PREDICTION: Baltimore Ravens 24, Miami Dolphins 17
The Ravens dominant defense is now coupled with an able offense led by Flacco and a running attack
led by Le'Ron McClain (232 att, 902 yds, 10 TDs), Willis McGahee (170 att, 671 yds, 7 TDs) and rookie
Ray Rice (107 att, 454 yds, 4.2 avg.). Wide Receiver Derrick Mason is a real threat.
Anticipate the Ravens defense to put their offense in strong field position throughout the game, while the
Ravens offense continues their solid ball control and dominate on time of possession.
The Ravens time of possession will eventually wear down the Dolphins defense and expect Raven's safety Ed Reed
to contribute a few game changing plays.
For the Dolphins to win, Joey Porter's teammates on defense will need to elevate their play and give Dolphins
quarterback Chad Pennington opportunities to pick away at the Ravens defense with a short passing game spreading the
wealth amongst his receivers and running backs.
RELATED NFL 2008 Playoffs
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On Wild Card Weekend Everybody Starts on Equal Ground
In one of the most unpredictable and story-filled NFL regular seasons in memory, the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and Super
Bowl XLIII on February 1 begins this Saturday and Sunday with the NFL 2008 Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. How each of
the NFL Playoff teams got here doesn't matter. Nor does it matter who got in first or who got in last. All that matters
is that they're here and ready to go.
Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The Arizona Cardinals, which scored a franchise record 424 points, boasts a high-flying attack led by QB
Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The Atlanta Falcons are
in the postseason for the first time since 2004. The Falcons are led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael
Turner. The Falcons ended the season winning five of their last six, and eight of their last 10.
Don't Be Misled by Colts & Bolts Regular Season Records
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
Returning to San Diego for the second time in seven weeks to face a familiar playoff foe, the
Indianapolis Colts, 12-4, meet the San Diego Chargers, 8-8, on Saturday, January 3. The Colts and Chargers met on November 23 this season.
Indianapolis earned a 23-20 last-play victory over San Diego.
Eagles and Vikings on a Mission
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
After weak starts this season, both teams finished strong to propel themselves into the NFL 2008 playoffs.
They both started the season slowly. The Eagles were 2-3; the Vikings 1-3. But both finished the season with strong
winning streaks as the Eagles won 4 of their last 5, while the Vikings won 5 of their last 6.
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NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS RANKINGS
Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:
American Football Conference
1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)
3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens
National Football Conference
1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)
3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)
4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philadelphia Eagles
NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS WILD CARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 3
NFC: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals, 4:30 PM ET (NBC)
AFC: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers, 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
Sunday, January 4
AFC: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
NFL 2008 WEEK 17 RESULTS (Sunday, December 28)
(Home team in CAPS)
ATLANTA 31, St. Louis 27
PITTSBURGH 31, Cleveland 0
New England 13, BUFFALO 0
Oakland 31, TAMPA BAY 24
CINCINNATI 16, Kansas City 6
ARIZONA 34, Seattle 21
GREEN BAY 31, Detroit 21
BALTIMORE 27, Jacksonville 7
HOUSTON 31, Chicago 24
Miami 24, N.Y. JETS 17
INDIANAPOLIS 23, Tennessee 0
PHILADELPHIA 44, Dallas 6
MINNESOTA 20, N.Y. Giants 19
SAN FRANCISCO 27, Washington 24
Carolina 33, NEW ORLEANS 31
SAN DIEGO 52, Denver 21
NFL 2008 WEEK 16 RESULTS (DECEMBER 18, 20-22)
(Home team in CAPS)
Indianapolis 31, JACKSONVILLE 24 (Thursday)
Baltimore 33, DALLAS 24 (Saturday)
San Diego 41, TAMPA BAY 24
TENNESSEE 31, Pittsburgh 14
Buffalo 30, DENVER 23
OAKLAND 27, Houston 16
SEATTLE 13, N.Y. Jets 3
Atlanta 24, MINNESOTA 17
Cincinnati 14, CLEVELAND 0
WASHINGTON 10, Philadelphia 3
New Orleans 42, DETROIT 7
Miami 38, KANSAS CITY 31
NEW ENGLAND 47, Arizona 7
San Francisco 17, ST. LOUIS 16
N.Y. GIANTS 34, Carolina 28 (OT)
CHICAGO 20, Green Bay 17 (OT) (Monday)
NFL 2008 WEEK 15 RESULTS – DECEMBER 11, 14-15
(Home Team in Caps)
CHICAGO BEARS 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
N.Y. JETS 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Seattle Seahawks 23, ST. LOUIS RAMS 20
Minnesota Vikings 35, ARIZONA CARDINALS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS 20, Washington Redskins 13
CAROLINA PANTHERS 30, Denver Broncos 10
HOUSTON TEXANS 13, Tennessee Titans 12
New England Patriots 49, OAKLAND RAIDERS 26
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 31, Detroit Lions 21
DALLAS COWBOYS 20, N.Y. Giants 8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 20, Green Bay Packers 16
San Diego Chargers 22, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 21
MIAMI DOLPHINS 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30, Cleveland Browns 10
NFL 2008 WEEK 14 RESULTS - DECEMBER 4, 7 - 8
(Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO 34, Oakland 7
Miami 16, BUFFALO 3 (Toronto)
DENVER 24, Kansas City 17
SAN FRANCISCO 24, N.Y. Jets 14
CHICAGO 23, Jacksonville 10
New England 24, SEATTLE 21
Minnesota 20, DETROIT 16
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 10
Houston 24, GREEN BAY 21
PITTSBURGH 20, Dallas 13
INDIANAPOLIS 35, Cincinnati 3
BALTIMORE 24, Washington 10
NEW ORLEANS 29, Atlanta 25
Philadelphia 20, N.Y. GIANTS 14
TENNESSEE 28, Cleveland 9
CAROLINA 38, Tampa Bay 23
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