MIAMI - The Ravens' showdown with the Miami Dolphins today will be a clash of wills, not of styles.
Caught in a crowded AFC playoff race, the Ravens (4-5) and the Dolphins (5-4) will engage in a battle of power running attacks as the positioning begins for a sprint into the stretch run.
The 4:15 p.m. kickoff at Pro Player Stadium will feature the Ravens' Jamal Lewis against the Dolphins' Ricky Williams, two of the conference's most physical running backs. They are buckling down to carry the offensive load as well as pave an easier road for their teams to the postseason.
"It's going to be a running back game," Lewis said. "We respect Ricky Williams, but I think we'll be able to handle him. On the offensive side, we've got to go out and put forth the necessary schemes so we can be able to run the ball on their defense, which means handling [middle linebacker] Zach Thomas."
If Lewis dictates the game, the Ravens believe they will dictate their fate for the rest of the season.
The Ravens, who are tied for second place with the Cleveland Browns in the AFC North, are in a logjam with nine other teams that are either a game above or below .500. With a win, the Ravens could even their record, with half of their final six games at home and two of their remaining road games against last-place teams (the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans).
"If we're fortunate enough to play well and win this game, then we can kind of be in control of what happens to us," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "Of those teams grouped around that 5-4, 4-5 area right now, who can come out with a win can kind of take control of what can happen the rest of the way. If you lose, you're not out of it, but you've got to rely on a bunch of other things. There's a lot of motivation there."
Despite the Dolphins losing three straight games, they still remain tied atop of the AFC East. Williams doesn't see the Ravens or any other team standing in their way to the postseason.
"I guarantee you that we're going to be in the playoffs," Williams said.
The Ravens have confidence they can pound the ball on Miami based on recent memory.
It was only 10 months ago when the Ravens plowed over the Dolphins for 226 yards rushing in a dominating, 20-3 win in Miami in last season's playoffs. The Ravens ran the ball on 50 of 69 offensive plays on the legs of backs Terry Allen and Jason Brookins, both of whom are no longer in the league.
Now, the Ravens have the added advantage of handing off to Lewis, the fifth-leading rusher in the AFC.
"We're definitely concerned," Thomas said. "What they did against us last year was cut the ball back and run the ball all over us. No excuses. They out-pounded us and were more aggressive than we were. That's one thing that we've been doing better at is stopping the run. We know we've got to stop that. We know it's going to be one of those hit-you-in-the-mouth type games."
After that humiliating loss to the Ravens, the Dolphins worked all offseason to tighten up their run defense. They rank fifth in the NFL in stopping the run and are allowing only 95 yards per game.
Still, the Ravens believe they can run on Miami's scheme, which uses two undersized defensive ends and two outside linebackers who are quick but not very physical. The Dolphins put faith in their front seven to shut down the run and rarely drop a safety close to the line of scrimmage for run support.
When asked about the Dolphins' ranking, Lewis said, "I don't think that matters. That's just a number. With the core we have, we'll be all right running the football."
The Ravens' defense likely will have to stop Williams even if inside linebacker Ray Lewis returns.
Lewis, who is a game-time decision with a shoulder injury, likely would be limited to 30 or 35 snaps and might play primarily in passing situations if he comes back today. The Ravens don't believe Lewis is in good enough condition to play the entire game and feel run-stuffing linebacker Bernardo Harris is suited to handle Miami's north-south ground attack on the early downs.
Regrouping as a run defense is key for the Ravens. In the past four games, the Ravens have surrendered 131.5 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry. Their ranking as a run defense has dropped from eighth to 14th in that span.
The solution is cutting down on their mental mistakes.
"When we think it's pass, teams are running the ball," Ravens defensive end Tony Weaver said. "As defensive linemen, we're getting up the field instead of playing the blocks. That's how they're getting us. It's on us to be aware of what's going on."
The Dolphins, however, are looking for answers with their running game.
In Miami's first three games - all wins - Williams averaged 131 yards per game and 5.8 per carry. In the past six games, he has averaged 69.5 and 3.2.
He had 13 runs of 10 yards or more in those first three games and just nine in the past six.
The blame is being placed more on Miami's offensive line than Williams, the AFC's third-leading rusher. There has been little room for Williams to maneuver because the linemen are focused on being physical rather than adjusting to defenses.
"At some point you have to take some of that aggressiveness away and make sure you get on your man," Miami left tackle Mark Dixon said. "This isn't baseball. You can't swing and miss. You've got to block the guy."
Whether it is today's game or the mobbed playoff race, the Ravens know they have to fight to come out on top.
"If somebody could take the bull by the horns and win some games here, that would put some pressure on other teams to win or fall out of the race," Ravens center Mike Flynn said. "This is one of those games that if we steal this, we can get momentum. When you look at that, we have a chance at the playoffs and that's all you can ask for."
Ravens today
Matchup:Ravens (4-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
Site:Pro Player Stadium, Miami
Time:4:15 p.m.
TV/Radio:Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)
Line:Dolphins by 4 1/2
SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens