Fins/Ravens: Key Sequences

When I look back at the Ravens game, there were really three turns of events that led to the end of the Dolphins season. Yes, there was an 18 point final margin of victory, and depending on what you read, people will tell you that the Dolphins got killed, but these three moments really changed the complexion of the entire contest. The Dolphins would have needed some breaks to win Sunday, but they didn't get them, so credit the Ravens for a brilliant defensive performance. We got a lot of breaks all year long, so you really can't be too bitter about this one.

Sequence #1: Settling for a field goal early

The Dolphins got off to a great start against the Ravens, forcing an early turnover and driving down the field quickly. They earned themselves a 2nd and goal opportunity from the one yard line, and against a rookie quarterback, an early lead could have been huge. Just look at how big the interception return to go up by seven was for the Ravens; I believe an early touchdown by the Fins could have been equally catastrophic for Baltimore.

On 2nd down, I thought the Dolphins made a great call on the bootleg. I believe that if you are going to try to pass, 2nd down is the time to do it down there, and the receiver (Martin, I believe) was open. Unfortunately, the execution was not there, and the Dolphins had nobody to blame but themselves. Ike Ndukwe missed his block, pulling out too wide and neglecting to clean up inside out, and Pennington had to throw the ball away.

On 3rd down, it was the coaches' turn to make a mistake, and they did by choosing to run right behind the tight ends. Why you would choose to run, in such a big spot, behind Ndukwe, Carey, Fasano, and Martin, matched up against the bulk of the Baltimore defense, instead of Long and Alleman is beyond me. Also, not handing the ball to short yardage specialist Polite is questionable. The result was a stuff.

Finally, on 4th down, the Dolphins decided to kick, which I thought was also a troubling decision. I understand momentum in a big game is vital, but even if you get stuffed, you still have the home crowd in Flacco's ear in his own end zone. I understand the argument that three points against the Ravens is huge, but the fact is that you are on the one yard line and your strategy should remain consistent. Billick lost a game and was later fired last year after he kicked a field goal from the Dolphins' one; the opportunity for six is far too great to kick from that range.

Ultimately, the game proved that three points weren't so important, and also that the Ravens offense had a lot of trouble getting anything on their own. Even if the Dolphins had been stuffed, going for the touchdown would have been the right call. The Dolphins blew an opportunity to put the Ravens into a very difficult situation, and instead they found themselves in a hole because of a sequence at the end of the first half.

Sequence #2: Interception return for touchdown leads to 13-3 halftime deficit

After an even first half dominated by defense, the score reflected the 3-3 stalemate. The Ravens had been doing a lot of the same as in the first meeting between the two teams, and the Dolphins had equal parts success (passing into the flat well, stuffing the run, goal line stand on defense) and trouble (couldn't get after Flacco or protect Pennington very well). With about three minutes left, the Dolphins were backed up with third and long, needing to just play it safe, punt the ball, and take the tie into the half.

Unfortunately, Ed Reed must have read my pregame post about how big an interception for a touchdown can be. Ginn had the corner beat, but was tripped up a bit on what was called incidental contact, and Pennington's throw was way too far towards the middle of the field. Reed made a play, and the rest was history. To make matters worse, the Ravens managed another field goal before the half.

13-3 versus 3-3 completely changed the complexion of the game, and it was because of a poor call (vertical passing was not working), a poor throw (put it to the sideline, away from Ed Reed), poor luck (Ginn got tripped), and a great play by Reed. It was a bad break, but one that the Ravens earned. Baltimore played even more aggressively from this point forward, and they were even free to sit on their pedestrian running game to milk their lead in the second half. Without ever really moving the ball they took the lead and control of the game, thanks to one huge play made by a great player. It completely changed the dynamics of the matchup.

Sequence #3: The botched end around dooms the comeback

With all the mistakes that the Dolphins made, they still had a chance to come back in the second half. The defense had continued to play great, not allowing the Ravens running game to get anywhere, and the offense was playing inspired trying to get a rally going. Ronnie Brown converted a beautiful touchdown to bring the Dolphins within 20-9, but unfortunately, there were more mistakes - a turnover in Ravens territory and a missed extra point - which prevented the Dolphins from moving within 7.

Regardless, the Dolphins were again moving down the field, and a touchdown would've put some real pressure on the Ravens. As they moved into field goal range, it was the perfect time for some Miami magic, and Dan Henning dialed up the end around to Ted Ginn Jr.

It was the perfect call. The Ravens came on a blitz up the middle, and if Ginn had grasped the ball cleanly, it was an easy touchdown. There was nobody on the Ravens that would have even had a chance at stopping him, but credit Baltimore because it was them who made the play. They managed enough pressure to force a rushed exchange between Pennington and Ginn, the ball was fumbled, and after a huge loss, the Dolphins chances of scoring and winning were all but gone.

Moreover, even after all the horrors at the end of the first half, and the Ravens quick score to start the second, the Dolphins could easily have won this game. Make a routine extra point, kick a field goal instead of throwing that red zone interception, and exchange a handoff cleanly, and the score would have been tied. Unfortunately, that wasn't the way things went for the Dolphins, and after a year where we got all those breaks, you really can't complain. The Ravens came out and played a great game defensively, and they deserved every bit of their 27-9 victory.

These are the breaks, but hey...the Miami Dolphins are still 2008 AFC East Champions.