Ravens-Dolphins: Joe Flacco Shows Potential in 27-13 Victory over Dolphins

Forget the story of Baltimore Ravens' Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron returning to Miami after coaching the Dolphins to a 1-15 record in 2007. The bigger, and more important, story to come out of Baltimore's 27-13 victory is the potential that the new-look Ravens showed.

In no uncertain terms, the Ravens were left for dead in 2008. Most preseason forecasts predicted a finish no better than third in the AFC North. None saw the Ravens returning to the postseason.

General Manager Ozzie Newsome traded up in the first round of April's NFL Draft to select Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco. Chalk it up to injuries, luck, or skill, but Flacco won the starting job and opened the season under center for the Ravens.

A rookie quarterback, an aging defense, and a shaky offensive line made Baltimore appear to be nothing more than an afterthought this season. But the team shot out of the gates, winning its first two games and coming within an eyelash of starting 4-0.

The potential I mentioned earlier was evident in Flacco's performance. Flacco completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts, racking up 232 yards and a touchdown in the process. Running back Willis McGahee—finally on his way back to 100 percent health—ran for 105 yards and a score on 19 carries.

The guys behind that so-called shaky offensive line brought their game to Miami and showed what they are capable of doing on a weekly basis.

And that always-stingy Ravens defense is in an all-too-familiar position, ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense.

No opponent remaining on Baltimore's schedule seems unbeatable. The toughest tests will come Nov. 16 when Baltimore visits the New York Giants and Dec. 14 when the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers visit M&T Bank Stadium.

That being said, the playoffs are surely not out of reach for Baltimore. The AFC is wide open in 2008—the Colts are as shaky as ever, the Jaguars haven't shown any promise, and the Patriots lost Tom Brady for the season. The Ravens showed they could go swing for swing with the Steelers, quite possibly the AFC favorite as October comes to a close.

Don't sleep on the 2008 Baltimore Ravens. Flacco, McGahee, and company might have some more surprises up their collective sleeves.