Ravens-Dolphins: Will the Wildcat Offense Be Tamed By the Rough Raven Defense?

Hands up, sports fans, if you had the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins going to the playoffs this year.

I bet everyone a million dollars that playoff powerhouse Pittsburgh or the New York Football Giants were at the top of the preseason list of who would make a repeat appearance in 2009.

Well, you were right.

Both of these teams made it back to the show.

The question remains, however, who will make it to the final curtain call?

I am delighted to see some new teams joining the furious fray of this year’s Super Bowl contenders.

Let us focus on Sunday’s 1:00 pm showdown between two teams flying high into the postseason.

The Baltimore Ravens (11-5) return to Dolphin Stadium to face the hometown favorite Miami Dolphins with memories of victory fresh in their minds.

In the Oct. 19 game, the Ravens' dominating defense overpowered comeback player of the year Chad Pennington and his Wildcat offense for a 27-13 triumph.

Before this meeting, Baltimore had lost three straight games and had a penchant for turning the ball over.

Since then, the Ravens have won nine out of their last 11 games.

They have done so with an efficient mix of run to pass offense and with strong leadership in the defensive secondary.

Safety Ed Reed is enjoying an MVP-type season and leads the NFL with nine interceptions.

He also can boast the longest interception return in league history (108 yards), which he accomplished against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 23, 2008.

Reed has 11 career touchdowns, scoring on three blocked punts, one punt return, two fumble returns, and five interception returns.

Baltimore owes another player a round of applause for his fortitude despite some early season adversity.

Rookie Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco began the 2008 campaign looking like a deer caught in headlights.

He held on to the ball too long and was taking unnecessary hits, which led to his team’s 12 turnovers through its first five games.

After their win in Miami, much to the delight of his teammates and coaches, Flacco settled down and stopped forcing the action.

Thus began the Ravens’ winning streak.

He finished the regular season throwing 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for an 80.3 passer rating.

Flacco will need to stay poised in the pocket, because if the Ravens get through Miami, they still have to play in enemy territory to get to the Super Bowl in Tampa.

What a difference a year makes if you are the Miami Dolphins.

Last year the Dolphins were the laughingstock of the NFL. 

Their 1-15 record was ugly and led to the shuffling of several key positions.

Eleven-year veteran defensive end Jason Taylor was let go and signed by the Washington Redskins.

The Dolphins decided to shift their focus from defense and on upgrading their offense.

They needed to bring in a guy with leadership skills and a lively arm.

So their next free agent acquisition was intriguing, to say the least.

In somewhat of a surprising move, Miami signed has-been New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington to be their 2009 starter.

Apparently he has gotten the last laugh as the Jets are out of the playoffs and have fired their head coach Eric Mangini. 

Miami can shock the football world and make it to Tampa, but they have to do it against a ravenous Raven defense.

They have one Pro Bowl player—linebacker Joey Porter.

But for the most part Miami has names people do not recognize on this year’s squad.

And yet they are in the playoffs, while the Dallas Cowboys' camera whore, Terrell Owens, and company are sitting at home.

“You look at this team, we don’t have a lot of big names, but we have guys who love this game and have bought into what the coaching staff wants to do, and we do a good job,” said former Cowboy linebacker Akin Ayodele.

The Dolphins are healthy, which will help a great deal if they get past Baltimore.

Eighteen starters have played in all 16 games, including the entire defense.

They were able to win close games too by controlling the time of possession and not committing turnovers.

These stats remind me of how the Ravens finished their season.

The Dolphins tied the New York Giants record by committing only 13 turnovers and led the league in turnover differential at plus-17.

Their primary offense this season was dubbed the Wildcat offense, in which the center would hike the ball with a direct snap to a running back or wide receiver.

The trickery is designed to confuse the opposing defense and take the pressure off the quarterback.

It was not the greatest show on turf, but this offense was effective and produced what every team needs: results.

Pennington enjoyed his most successful season in the NFL throwing for 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions, notching a 97.4 quarterback rating (his highest in three seasons).

So who will reign supreme on this Wild Card Weekend showdown in sunny Miami?

No excuses, no remorse—just good old-fashioned football at its finest. 

Prediction: Ravens 24, Dolphins 14