Week 18: 5 Keys To Victory
By Brian Miller
Again this week I point out victory. Yes, I think the Miami Dolphins can and will win this game. I still believe that with the right attitude and desire, this team could be playing in the AFC Championship game in 3 weeks. First thing first however and that is the Baltimore Ravens. They are not a slouch and they will not be a pushover like the NY Jets were last week. This team MUST be 110 percent comitted to this game or they will lose. The margin for error is less than what it was with the New England Patriots a short while ago.
I also thought about changing it up a bit, a “playoff” version if you will, then decided…if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Here is this weeks 5 Keys to victory.
Key 5: Overcoming the unknown: There is a good many Miami Dolphins starters that have never played in a playoff game and they are all key members of the team. From the rookies to guys like Yeremiah Bell and Andre’ Goodman, to Ronnie Brown and Channing Crowder. For every one of them there is a veteran who has. Ronnie himself needs to look no further than running mate Ricky Williams or QB Chad Pennington. Pennington and LB Joey Porter will have to be the vocal leaders. A scene plays out in my mind from the movie “Hoosiers”. The basket is 10′. The same in the big arena as it is back in Hickory. The same with the Dolphins. The field didn’t get any larger just because the stage did. The Ravens defense has been their before and most of the offense has too. Joe Flacco hasn’t and the Phins defense needs to remember that.
Key 4: Stop the run: The Ravens are a very good rushing team. Ranked 4th in the NFL in rushing yards, averaging 148 yards per game, the Dolphins will need to clamp that play if they want to emerge victorious. La’Ron McLain leads their team in rushing with 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. The offensive line is a stoudt group who can move the line of scrimmage. Jason Ferguson who missed the early season match-up will do much better than his replacements in that game. Channing Crowder must make tackles behind or at the LOS. He tends to allow running backs to move him back 3 yards before he drops them. That will not work against this team. By stopping the run you put the game in the hands of rookie sensation Joe Flacco and while his play has been stellar, he is beatable.
Key 3: Flacco: The Dolphins have not been doing a good job of putting pressure on the QB’s. Joe Flacco has been sacked 32 times this year and ranks 8th in the NFL for most times hitting the turf. In comparison, CP has been sacked 24 times and will face a very tough defensive front. Flacco doesnt’ get rattled and his poise in the pocket allows him to survey the field. If the Phins can put pressure on him early they can keep him out of rhythm. If he gets into rhythm he will pick the defense apart. INT’s and fumbles will win this game and Flacco needs to get his cage rattled a few times to make him uneasy.
Key 2: Time: The Dolphins do well when they control the time of possession and control the ball. At the onset of the game, it’s imperative that the Phins don’t worry so much about long time consuming drives as much as quick strikes and scores. The Phins will not have a lot of long methodical clock consuming drives because the Ravens defense does not get run on often. So, the Phins need to use a power aerial attack that works out of a spread formation and even an empty backfield. The Ravens defense is built on speed and matching that speed will wear them down. Slow developing plays will not help the Dolphins as the Ravens are just too fast, but quick 3 and 4 yard strikes in a no-huddle style offense will keep the running during the plays and to get back in position for the next one. The Phins can take advantage of the Raven attack by beating them not at the line, but with their conditioning. Wear them down fast and get them out of breath and you can rack up a couple of quick scores that could be the difference in the game. Get a lead and then slow the game down.
Key 1: Turnovers and composure. The Ravens love themselves some turnovers. The Dolphins don’t like to turn it over. In week 7 the Phins turned it over one time and that was a game changing pick 6. The Phins need to make things happen for themselves. The defense needs to find a way to get the ball in their hands. McLain doesn’t fumble, 3 on the year, and while that does say he puts it on the ground it does not say he is an easy target. The Phins best chances are with picks from the young Flacco. The Baltimore receivers are playing goo football but they are not great. They are not Randy Moss, Laverneous Coles, Jericho Cotchery, or Wes Welker. But they believe in their QB and they make things happen.
Chad Pennington will likely be pressured all day and his composure will go along way to keeping the Dolphins in the game. He must know when to tuck the ball and take the sack. Miami can not afford to turnover fumbles from the offensive pocket and Chad can not throw up ducks to avoid them or the Ravens will take a few back. It’s hard to imagine safety Ed Reed not chomping at the bit for at least 1 in the game.
Whichever team holds on to the ball will win this game.