3* Miami Dolphins +4 -115
It's hard to imagine actually placing a wager on the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs. And if you bet on the Dolphins the perception has to be that you are on borrowed time. I mean this run has to end now that they made the playoffs, right? Well, maybe it does. But I can envision a lot of scenarios where the Phins win this game and I can envision a few where they lose by a FG. By I cant envision many scenarios where they get blown out by the Ravens in this spot.
Here we are again....rookie QB's on the road. Now 0-5 all time after the flawless, God-like Matt Ryan and the 85 Bears...err I mean...Atlanta Falcons couldnt win in Zona.
While Joe Flacco, like Ryan, has been impressive, Flacco came from Delaware, not a bigger school like BC. Yes I am bringing up that old excuse again. Flacco has shown a good ability to adjust to the NFL, and I am impressed, but he has not had to face the different speed and different level that the playoffs bring. He has not had to go on the road in the playoffs. And going on the road in the NFL Playoffs is a long ways away from Kansas, toto.
At least Atlanta had Michael Turner to alleviate some of the pressure on the ground, but Flacco doesnt have much. I dont care what the rushing stats say, Willis McGahee has lost a step or two, and LeRon McClain is a big, slow, bruising fullback tpye that cant make people miss in the open field. McClain is the type to run 25 carries for 75 yards. He is essentially a non-factor. A lot of this game will fall into the hands of Joe Flacco on the road, and this Miami Dolphins crowd will be rocking for their first home playoff game since 2000.
The Miami Dolphins are THE team in south Florida. Marlins, Heat, etc are nice, but Miami is and has always been a football town and this should be a sellout game with a good home crowd.
Think about this real quick, because a lot of people are still selling the Phins short. Miami has won 9 of their past 10 games. Every game has been critical and the Dolphins have been in playoff mode for a long time now.
The Dolphins lost one of their games on a 4th down QB draw with the clock running out at Houston. This team could EASILY be 12-4. Also consider this, Miami opened the season 0-2, under a new coach, new system and had not implemented an important part of their offense the Wildcat formation. So, since implementing the wildcat and getting a feel for Sparano's/Parcells system, the Dolphins have gone 11-3, and with that Houston game could have easily gone 12-2 since implementing the wildcat.
Phins are at home, where it is a bit humid in Miami, and lways a little hotter than what opponents are used to. They are well conditioned. They sport a VERY good defense, led by sacikmaster Joey Porter and a blitz happy defense that should get after it a little extra va. the rookie QB.
A lot of people know that the Ravens beat Miami in Miami earlier this year. In that game, a healthy, fresh McGahee went for over 100 yards. That shouldnt happen again here as McGahee is slow and breaks down towards the end of seasons.
Dolphins are a much different team since that game. For one, Davone Bess has emerged as their go-to receiver. The Wildcat package has evolved into a passing and running formation. Patrick Cobbs and Polite have emerged as a 3rd and 4th back who have chewed up yardage.
Neither the Dolphins, nor the Ravens are built to blow people out. This should be a tight defensive game. While the Ravens have blown people out this season, it has been their defense and ball hawking safety Ed Reeds INTs that have lead to their offense scoring points. In fact, in every s9ngle Ravens defeat the opposing team won the turnover battle, despite subpar numbers from the opposing QB and RB. The formula is simple to defeat the Ravens = Take care of the football, don't turn it over and you should be in good shape in the 4th quarter.
The Dolphins lead the NFL in turnover margin, lead by NFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington. Pennington is very smart in the pocket and he doesnt throw balls up for grabs. The Dolphins should not turn the ball over much in this game, if at all. That will hurt the Ravens as they will have to produce offensively with a rookie QB, a shady running game and probably missing arguably their best reciever Derrick Mason.
The Dolphins are very healthy coming into this game, listing very few players on the injury report, and a lot of times the healthy home team rules in the playoffs.
The Dolphins are susceptible to losing to good QBs with deadly receivers, and the Ravens dont have that. Kurt Warner, Matt Cassell, Brett Favre (game 1) carved up the Miami secondary. But the Phins have feasted on rookie and first time QBs, and Joe Flacco is another one they are looking forward to facing.
With a rookie QB on the road, his favorite target out, a shady running game, a rookie coach on the road in the playoffs, and an aging defense vs. a Miami team that doesnt turn it over and can pressure the QB, playing at home with a wild crowd, look out for the underrated Dolphins to make some noise here early in the playoffs, before going down in flames to a quality QB that can carve up their secondary.
Miami 23
Baltimore 19
It's hard to imagine actually placing a wager on the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs. And if you bet on the Dolphins the perception has to be that you are on borrowed time. I mean this run has to end now that they made the playoffs, right? Well, maybe it does. But I can envision a lot of scenarios where the Phins win this game and I can envision a few where they lose by a FG. By I cant envision many scenarios where they get blown out by the Ravens in this spot.
Here we are again....rookie QB's on the road. Now 0-5 all time after the flawless, God-like Matt Ryan and the 85 Bears...err I mean...Atlanta Falcons couldnt win in Zona.
While Joe Flacco, like Ryan, has been impressive, Flacco came from Delaware, not a bigger school like BC. Yes I am bringing up that old excuse again. Flacco has shown a good ability to adjust to the NFL, and I am impressed, but he has not had to face the different speed and different level that the playoffs bring. He has not had to go on the road in the playoffs. And going on the road in the NFL Playoffs is a long ways away from Kansas, toto.
At least Atlanta had Michael Turner to alleviate some of the pressure on the ground, but Flacco doesnt have much. I dont care what the rushing stats say, Willis McGahee has lost a step or two, and LeRon McClain is a big, slow, bruising fullback tpye that cant make people miss in the open field. McClain is the type to run 25 carries for 75 yards. He is essentially a non-factor. A lot of this game will fall into the hands of Joe Flacco on the road, and this Miami Dolphins crowd will be rocking for their first home playoff game since 2000.
The Miami Dolphins are THE team in south Florida. Marlins, Heat, etc are nice, but Miami is and has always been a football town and this should be a sellout game with a good home crowd.
Think about this real quick, because a lot of people are still selling the Phins short. Miami has won 9 of their past 10 games. Every game has been critical and the Dolphins have been in playoff mode for a long time now.
The Dolphins lost one of their games on a 4th down QB draw with the clock running out at Houston. This team could EASILY be 12-4. Also consider this, Miami opened the season 0-2, under a new coach, new system and had not implemented an important part of their offense the Wildcat formation. So, since implementing the wildcat and getting a feel for Sparano's/Parcells system, the Dolphins have gone 11-3, and with that Houston game could have easily gone 12-2 since implementing the wildcat.
Phins are at home, where it is a bit humid in Miami, and lways a little hotter than what opponents are used to. They are well conditioned. They sport a VERY good defense, led by sacikmaster Joey Porter and a blitz happy defense that should get after it a little extra va. the rookie QB.
A lot of people know that the Ravens beat Miami in Miami earlier this year. In that game, a healthy, fresh McGahee went for over 100 yards. That shouldnt happen again here as McGahee is slow and breaks down towards the end of seasons.
Dolphins are a much different team since that game. For one, Davone Bess has emerged as their go-to receiver. The Wildcat package has evolved into a passing and running formation. Patrick Cobbs and Polite have emerged as a 3rd and 4th back who have chewed up yardage.
Neither the Dolphins, nor the Ravens are built to blow people out. This should be a tight defensive game. While the Ravens have blown people out this season, it has been their defense and ball hawking safety Ed Reeds INTs that have lead to their offense scoring points. In fact, in every s9ngle Ravens defeat the opposing team won the turnover battle, despite subpar numbers from the opposing QB and RB. The formula is simple to defeat the Ravens = Take care of the football, don't turn it over and you should be in good shape in the 4th quarter.
The Dolphins lead the NFL in turnover margin, lead by NFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington. Pennington is very smart in the pocket and he doesnt throw balls up for grabs. The Dolphins should not turn the ball over much in this game, if at all. That will hurt the Ravens as they will have to produce offensively with a rookie QB, a shady running game and probably missing arguably their best reciever Derrick Mason.
The Dolphins are very healthy coming into this game, listing very few players on the injury report, and a lot of times the healthy home team rules in the playoffs.
The Dolphins are susceptible to losing to good QBs with deadly receivers, and the Ravens dont have that. Kurt Warner, Matt Cassell, Brett Favre (game 1) carved up the Miami secondary. But the Phins have feasted on rookie and first time QBs, and Joe Flacco is another one they are looking forward to facing.
With a rookie QB on the road, his favorite target out, a shady running game, a rookie coach on the road in the playoffs, and an aging defense vs. a Miami team that doesnt turn it over and can pressure the QB, playing at home with a wild crowd, look out for the underrated Dolphins to make some noise here early in the playoffs, before going down in flames to a quality QB that can carve up their secondary.
Miami 23
Baltimore 19
Ravens forced a grand total of 2 turnovers combined in their 5 losses.
Ravens NEED turnovers to win, and Pennington doesnt hang balls up in the secondary for Ed Reed and co.
I got my haircut with Joey Porter yesterday. Which means there was at least 1 gun in the barber shop. Dude looked pretty focused. He got the Caesar cut, got his beard done, and was getting them grey hairs dyed. Getting tightened up before the game. Dude is focused. Akin Ayodele was there, too. But nobody cares about him. Phins keep this thing close today at home.
All home teams won yesterday in the playoffs. Dont undervalue being the home team in the playoffs.
Rookie QBs are now 0-5 all time on the road. Up next: Delaware QB Joe Flacco.
Those who win the turnover battle win the game, advantage Miami.
Rookie coaches on the road yesterday with rookie QBs (Matt Ryan and Flacons coach) Losers.
Now rookie QB Joe Flacco and rookie head coach Harbaugh travel on the road.
Dolphins with QB, coaching, turnover and homefield advantages. Plus they have the element of surprise, this is a completely different team, personnel wise, package wise, and playcalling wise from when these teams met earlier this year.
Should be a defensive battle, and I love grabbing points in defensive battles, especially if the team I am on has the more experienced QB, is at home and doesnt turn it over.
Adding 1 more unit to Miami today to make it a 4* play.
Good luck
Ravens NEED turnovers to win, and Pennington doesnt hang balls up in the secondary for Ed Reed and co.
I got my haircut with Joey Porter yesterday. Which means there was at least 1 gun in the barber shop. Dude looked pretty focused. He got the Caesar cut, got his beard done, and was getting them grey hairs dyed. Getting tightened up before the game. Dude is focused. Akin Ayodele was there, too. But nobody cares about him. Phins keep this thing close today at home.
All home teams won yesterday in the playoffs. Dont undervalue being the home team in the playoffs.
Rookie QBs are now 0-5 all time on the road. Up next: Delaware QB Joe Flacco.
Those who win the turnover battle win the game, advantage Miami.
Rookie coaches on the road yesterday with rookie QBs (Matt Ryan and Flacons coach) Losers.
Now rookie QB Joe Flacco and rookie head coach Harbaugh travel on the road.
Dolphins with QB, coaching, turnover and homefield advantages. Plus they have the element of surprise, this is a completely different team, personnel wise, package wise, and playcalling wise from when these teams met earlier this year.
Should be a defensive battle, and I love grabbing points in defensive battles, especially if the team I am on has the more experienced QB, is at home and doesnt turn it over.
Adding 1 more unit to Miami today to make it a 4* play.
Good luck
isnt their a stat that shows miami is horrible on 3rd and longs.
to me it seems like the ravans d will force them into that situation a lot today.
obviously the last game vs baltimore was much closer than the score indicates but it was pennington that ultimately cost them the game with a poor throw in long down situation.
i guess the questions is do i trust a rookie on the road where all he might have to do is manage the game or chad who i beleive will have to beat the ravens d.
glad i had a good day with ur help yesterday cuz today is much tougher IMO.
to me it seems like the ravans d will force them into that situation a lot today.
obviously the last game vs baltimore was much closer than the score indicates but it was pennington that ultimately cost them the game with a poor throw in long down situation.
i guess the questions is do i trust a rookie on the road where all he might have to do is manage the game or chad who i beleive will have to beat the ravens d.
glad i had a good day with ur help yesterday cuz today is much tougher IMO.
