Baltimore Ravens v. Miami Dolphins: Thoughts About the Match Up

The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins headline one of the few good match ups in week nine of the NFL season.

While the Ravens come off a bye week, the Miami Dolphins continue to stay around in the AFC playoff hunt.

Something will have to give on Sunday. The Ravens are undefeated at home, while the Dolphins are undefeated on the road.

The Ravens have fallen under the radar after sneaking past the Buffalo Bills in overtime two weeks ago.

Will the Ravens begin a late season surge to a top seed in the playoffs, or will the Dolphins continue to stick around in a tight AFC?

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Ray Rice and the Running Game Need To Get Going This Week

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens gains yards against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens have hit the midpoint in the season, which means that the team needs to begin firing on all cylinders.

That means Ray Rice and the Ravens' running game needs to get going against the Dolphins.

Miami may be vulnerable against the pass, but a fresh Rice and Willis McGahee should create enough balance to help the Ravens pull out the victory on Sunday.

Joe Flacco, Ravens Offense Must Be Ready To Take the Next Step This Week

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bills lead the Ravens at the half 24-20. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Whether your a fan of the Ravens or a believer of the team in 2010, here is what we can agree on:

There are no more excuses for the Ravens offense. It is week nine, and it is time for Cam Cameron to utilize the weapons Baltimore has.

Receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh should have an idea of how the Ravens offense is going to work. We need to see three, and even four receiver sets to spread out the opposing secondaries.

A perfect opportunity to do it would be against a young secondary that has been known for beating themselves in the passing game.

Donte' Stallworth makes his debut after missing two months with a broken foot. Will he be given a role in the offense now that he returns?

Punt Returns, Kick Returns Need To Improve Starting This Week

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 21: Donte' Stallworth #18 of the Baltimore Ravens fumbles the ball during the preseason game after being hit by DeAngelo Hall #23 and LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 21, 2010 in Landover, Maryland

What has happened to the special teams for the Ravens this year? Please tell me, as I am trying to figure it out myself.

Both the punt returns and the kick returns has not resulted in much benefit for the Ravens this season.

The improvement will need to start this week against the Dolphins. Donte' Stallworth seems to be the favorite to return both punts and kicks for the Ravens.

Ed Reed is going to get some action as well, and even this week Derrick Mason said he would be interested in returning punts.

The special teams need to give the offense better field position in order to have more confidence in opening up the playbook against a vulnerable secondary of the Dolphins.

Will Greg Mattison Find New Ways for the Defense To Get Pressure on the QB?

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens defends against Demetrius Bell #77 of the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Gett

Through the first seven games of the season, the issue for the Ravens hasn't been the secondary. For the talent they have currently, they have played much better than people expected.

However, Baltimore was expected to have an improved pass rush, which is the biggest issue on the team right now.

Though Terrell Suggs does command double teams, lately he has not been able to generate enough pass rush against a single lineman.

Cory Redding hasn't lived up to the expectations thus far, but maybe will turn it on after the bye week.

Can Greg Mattison use the blitz effectively, and in important situations? I believe the Ravens need to blitz more, and need to be less careless with the decision making that comes with it.

Ravens Secondary Must Shut Down Brandon Marshall

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 20: Lardarius Webb #21 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a kickoff against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bears 31-7. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

If there is any question for the Ravens secondary this week, it is going to be whether or not Brandon Marshall can be shut down.

The other Dolphins weapons can become nonexistent due to the athletic ability of the Ravens line backers.

Brandon Marshall has taken over games as a member of the Dolphins, and the Ravens secondary will be ready for a challenge coming off a poor performance two weeks ago

Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, and Ravens Defense Can't Fall for Dolphins Running Game

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

For the past few years, the Miami Dolphins have always been a run first team.

In the last two meetings between these two teams, the Ravens defense has been able to shut them down.

This week is no different for Ray Lewis and company. The tone needs to be set early, and that means slowing down Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

What Baltimore needs to look out for is the Wildcat. Baltimore has been one of the few teams in the past that makes the formation a non-factor. That success needs to continue this week at home in a game that shouldn't be at the highest of temperatures.

If the Ravens defense can put the pressure on Chad Henne, a Ravens win should happen at home coming after a bye week.