Ravens vs. Dolphins: Breaking Down Baltimore's Keys to the Game

The Baltimore Ravens have put themselves in a tough spot after last week's debacle versus the San Diego Chargers. The Ravens held a 30-20 lead with six minutes left in the game, but San Diego scored twice in the final four minutes to steal a 34-33 win.

Baltimore's inability to get critical stops on defense while settling for field goals instead of touchdowns ultimately led to their demise.

The Ravens will get a chance to right those wrongs this week when the face the Miami Dolphins. Though both teams are tied at 7-5, Miami holds the No. 6 seed and final wild-card spot as of now.

If Baltimore wins this week, it'll pass the Dolphins in the standings and could potentially hold one of the two wild-card spots by the end of Week 14.

This preview will examine what Baltimore’s offensive and defensive focuses should be heading into this matchup. Let’s begin with the defense, which is looking to rebound after having one of its worst games of the season.

Defensive Key to the Game: Stop the Run

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

The Dolphins offense needs its running game to produce in order to be effective. Not only is Lamar Miller a solid running back, but Ryan Tannehill is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL.

Tannehill has rushed for 289 yards this year, including five games in which he's rushed for 35 or more yards. His ability to move around in the pocket also makes it harder for defenses to sack him.

Miller has rushed for 729 yards and six touchdowns this season. When those two get the ground game going, Miami is hard to stop.

In Dolphins losses, they're averaging just 96 yards per game. In wins, they're averaging 137.7 yards, a difference of 41.7 yards.

Stopping the Dolphins' run game forces Tannehill to take on a heavier offensive load, which he clearly isn't ready to do. In fact, he's thrown for fewer than 250 yards nine times this year.

He's still developing as a passer who relies heavily on the ground game to take pressure off him. Baltimore needs to stop the run to ensure the game is put on the shoulders of Tannehill—something he's still not comfortable in handling.

If Baltimore can stop the run game, it'll greatly increase its chances of winning this game. That should be doable for a Ravens defense that ranks fourth in rushing defense.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Offensive Key to the Game: Run the Ball

Miami's defense can be very tough to move the ball against if you can't run the ball. The Dolphins currently rank second in pass defense this year.

Between cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan shutting down opposing receivers and defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon terrorizing quarterbacks, this is arguably the hardest defense to throw against.

Grimes and Finnegan have combined for 20 pass defended this year, while Grimes has also picked off five passes. Wake and Vernon have combined for 15 sacks and five forced fumbles. They've helped power Miami's stout pass defense.

The same cannot be said on the ground, as Miami ranks 21st in stopping the run. As for Baltimore, its offense is centered around its fifth-ranked rushing offense.

In fact, Baltimore is averaging 157.4 rushing yards per game in wins, while they're gaining just 95.8 yards in losses.

Needless to say, Baltimore's offense finds its most success when the ground game is effective, and that just so happens to be Miami's weakness on defense.

In summary, Baltimore's defense needs to stop the run to contain the Dolphins offense, while the Ravens offense must run the ball to penetrate Miami's defense.

This is a pretty simple game plan for Baltimore that, if executed, should lead to victory.