NFL Playoffs: Game Three, Baltimore Travels To Miami and Manhandles The Dolphins

I have selected the Miami Dolphins to win this game against The Baltimore Ravens.

I picked the winners in the first two playoffs games this weekend. Lets see if my theory about rookie quarterbacks in their first playoff experience holds true once more.

The keys to a Dolphins' victory will be no turnovers, of course. Stopping the run and the fast paced offense of Baltimore will also be very important, for Miami to have success.

I expect Pennington to manage the game well, as he has done, most of this season.

Miami starts off well, creating a fumble and taking over the ball, on their own 49 yard line. A score here would bode well for The Fish.

Home teams are doing well , so far in the playoffs, not getting behind by too much, and creating opportunities. Who is Cobb?  He has caught two passes for big gains already.

The Dolphins have scored in their first possession and lead the game already, 3-0.

The Ravens held off Miami from the one-yard line, and they settled for a field goal. Pennington looks efficient as usual.

Flacco came back on the next possession for a very nice drive and a score, as Miami is not getting any pressure on Flacco! The Dolphins got them down to a third and goal, and held!  Tie game, at 3-3.

The Dolphins received some defensive confidence on that stop, while Baltimore didn't give up a touchdown on the turnover. If Miami can get Flacco to make any mistakes, that will be where their advantage lies.

Miami lined up in their first Wildcat formation in a third and two situation, and the Ravens read it perfectly to stop the drive. Last time these two teams met, the Ravens shut down this formation entirely.

Miami may want to line up with some different looks in short third down situations today.

The Ravens' offense looks very steady, except for that opening drive fumble in this game.

In the second quarter, Miami is bringing more heat to Flacco, and his passes are moving off the mark, repeatedly.

Midway through the second quarter, Pennington is pressured and throws a horrible pass that is intercepted. The Dolphins can ill afford mistakes like that, if they want to win this game today.

The Ravens led the league in interceptions this season. The Dolphins held after the turnover, however and gets the ball back, but they are pinned deep, back at the two-yard line.

The first half is winding down quickly, while the defenses have dominated so far.

Pennington has made another terrible pass down the field, and Ed Reed made him pay, running it back for a touchdown. 10-3 Baltimore over Miami.

Best, one of Miami's pass catchers is in the locker room with a finger injury, and the Dolphins only have two receivers. That's trouble.

There's two and a half minutes left in the half and they need to answer somehow. Miami had only two turnovers the entire season, and they have turned the ball over twice in this quarter.

Miami's offense has turned stagnant in this second quarter, and they must be worried about more mistakes plus lack of productivity.

Baltimore tries a field goal at the end of the half that is good. Baltimore leads at half time 13-3.

The second half starts with more of the tough defense by Baltimore, dominating this game. Miami 's defense is also hanging in there, holding the Ravens to not much yardage.

Best, is back in for the Dolphins, who are going to have to go down the field, if they want a chance to be in this game, nearing the fourth quarter.

Miami is trapped deep in their own territory, starting a drive from their own two-yard line. A nice gain, gets them to the 13. Pennington makes a nice pass for a first down.

Then, on the next play, he is sacked. The short passes are not working and they need to open it up a little. Another short pass falls incomplete. Miami fumbles and Baltimore recovers deep in Miami territory.

I think Miami's is over matched physically in this game, and looking back, this was a dumb pick! Touchdown, McClain and it's now 20-3.

It was a nice run while it lasted, Dolphins, but you need to make some more changes before you can move from a good team, to perhaps a great team. Some offensive line help, a big time pass catcher, and maybe a better tight end, might help you next year. Having a better pass rush would also keep points off the board, on your defense.

Baltimore will have a much bigger test next week. Joe Flacco took care of the ball well today, and will need more mistake free football next week to make it deeper into the playoffs.

Pennington gets a couple of good gains throwing the ball to Ronnie Brown, but I'm afraid it's too late. There's 5:30 left in the third quarter, and the Dolphins have gone to the no huddle.

Maybe they should have started with the no huddle offense, as Pennington completes seven straight passes and moves the Dolphins down to the 12 yard line of Baltimore.

Ed Reed picks off another pass, and that's four interceptions by the Ravens today. That ends that drive and all hope for the Dolphins, I believe.

Flacco managed this game from his end, and the Dolphins made all the mistakes. Final score Ravens 27 Dolphins 9.

I am 3-1 now in the playoffs and have Philadelphia to win in the next one.