January 02, 2005|By Jamison Hensley
SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Dolphins run defense: The Ravens had averaged 173 yards over a three-game stretch before getting stuffed by Pittsburgh last Sunday. Jamal Lewis, who has not practiced in the past week because of a sprained ankle, should be a central figure as the Ravens look to exploit one of the NFL's worst run defenses. Ranked 30th in stopping the run, the Dolphins have allowed nine 100-yard rushers in 15 games this season. In fact, they have given up three consecutive 100-yard individual rushing performances, the latest being a season-best 143 yards by Cleveland's Lee Suggs. Lewis complained last Sunday that the Ravens didn't run the ball enough between the tackles. Look for the Ravens to run up the gut of Miami's defense, which has ineffective tackles Jeff Zgonina and Bryan Robinson.
EDGE: RAVENS
Ravens pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense: The Dolphins have the top-ranked pass defense, a statistic that is skewed by the fact that most teams have so much success running against them. Teams have averaged only 27 passes a game against Miami. Cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain are considered solid defenders, but Madison has no interceptions this year. The Ravens have the NFL's second-worst passing attack, a result of faulty protection, their receivers' sloppy play and Kyle Boller's inaccuracy. Plus, tight end Todd Heap is expected to miss his 10th game this season with a sprained right ankle. It'll be interesting to see if the Ravens bench receiver Travis Taylor again and give more playing time to Randy Hymes.
EDGE: DOLPHINS
Dolphins run offense vs. Ravens run defense: Physical lines have exposed the Ravens' front seven, but the Dolphins aren't in the same class as the Steelers. Every time the Ravens have had major lapses on run defense, they have responded by holding the next opponent under 100 yards as a team. Without Ricky Williams, Miami has become the second-worst running team in the league. Running backs Sammy Morris and Travis Minor both average fewer than 4 yards a carry. The Ravens give up 3.5 yards a carry, which is second best in the NFL. Linebacker Ray Lewis is struggling with his broken wrist, which could force him to miss his first game of the season.
EDGE: RAVENS
Dolphins pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: One-time No. 3 quarterback Sage Rosenfels will make his first career start, replacing the injured A.J. Feeley (ribs). He has thrown one pass this season (it was incomplete). To make matters worse for Miami, their second and third receivers - Marty Booker (doubtful, ankle) and Derrius Thompson (questionable, hamstring) - are banged up. The Dolphins also give up an average of 3.3 sacks a game. The Ravens will look to apply more pressure than they have the past two games, when they have failed to record a sack. But their secondary plays best at home, where it has made 12 interceptions and run five of them back for touchdowns.
EDGE: RAVENS
Special teams: Both teams have promising young returners. The Ravens' B.J. Sams has broken kickoff returns of 64 and 42 yards the past two weeks. Miami's Wes Welker (10.9 yards) has a slightly better average than Sams (10.2) on punt returns. The Dolphins have one of the NFL's best punt-coverage units, holding teams to 5.3 yards a return. Ravens kicker Matt Stover has tailed off in an otherwise impeccable season, missing his past two field-goal tries. Miami's Olindo Mare has struggled in limited tries (12-for-15).
EDGE: EVEN
Intangibles: With talk about locker room problems and coaching staff changes, the Ravens have had to battle distractions all week but will try to use that as a rallying point. There is also the incentive of still trying to make the playoffs. The Dolphins have played inspired football the past month. But with Miami naming Nick Saban as coach for next season, the motivation to keep playing hard for interim coach Jim Bates has been deflated. Miami is 1-6 on the road this season, with their only win coming at 2-13 San Francisco.
EDGE: RAVENS
Prediction: Distractions and all, the Ravens simply have too much talent to slip up against the road-challenged Dolphins. But the celebration won't last long. Expect the Bills to beat the Steelers in another 1 p.m. game to eliminate the Ravens from the playoffs. Still, the Ravens will end a difficult season with an easy win.
RAVENS, 24-10 -- Jamison Hensley
GAME FACTS
Matchup
Records: Ravens 8-7, Dolphins 4-11.
Line: Ravens by 11
Vs. spread: Ravens 9-6, Dolphins 6-9.
Series: Dolphins lead 4-1
Last meeting: Dolphins won, 9-6, in overtime on Nov. 16, 2003, in Miami.
NFL rankings
Ravens offense: 31st (rush 9th, pass 31st)
Ravens defense: 7th (rush 8th, pass 10th)
Dolphins offense: 30th (rush 31st, pass 22nd)
Dolphins defense: 8th (rush 30th, pass 1st)
Ravens injuries
Out: G Edwin Mulitalo (triceps).
Doubtful: TE Todd Heap (ankle); CB Deion Sanders (foot).
Questionable: OT Orlando Brown (knee); DT Maake Kemoeatu (calf); RB Jamal Lewis (ankle); LB Ray Lewis (wrist); LB Bart Scott (knee).
