SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Dolphins run defense -- RAVENS
Facing Miami in the playoffs last season, the Ravens ran for a team post-season-record 226 yards on 50 carries with two backs -- Terry Allen and Jason Brookins -- who are currently out of the league. This time, the Ravens will pound the Dolphins with Jamal Lewis, the club's all-time leading rusher. The Ravens are 15-1 (including playoffs) when Lewis carries 20 times and 10-0 when he rushed for 100 yards. After the playoff fiasco, the Dolphins worked on their run defense and now rank fifth in the league, giving up 95 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry.
Key stat: 129.7. Average yards rushing by Lewis in the Ravens' four victories this season.
Ravens pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense -- DOLPHINS
Jeff Blake has added a spark to the Ravens' offense with his strong arm, but his six turnovers in three starts are a concern. The Ravens, with the league's third-worst passing attack, will be without receiver Brandon Stokley (foot sprain) and will replace him with rookie Javin Hunter, whose speed will be used on quick hitches and occasional downfield patterns. Hunter and Travis Taylor will get tested by one of the league's premier cornerback combinations in Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain. Tight end Todd Heap is expected to play despite a knee injury and could be a focal point since the Dolphins usually cover tight ends with linebackers.
Key stat: 17.4. Average yards on 15 catches by Taylor in Blake's three games as quarterback.
Dolphins run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- EVEN
Although the Ravens have the NFL's 14th-best run defense, they have struggled in that area without linebacker Ray Lewis, who is a game-time decision today with a shoulder injury. In their past four games, the Ravens have surrendered 131.5 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry. The Dolphins' rushing attack, which is ranked eighth in the league, has hit a recent slide, too. In the past six games, running back Ricky Williams has had little room to maneuver and has averaged 69.5 yards per game. Williams has worked best on the perimeter, which means outside linebackers Peter Boulware and Cornell Brown have to contain and push him back to the inside.
Key stat: 2. Number of 100-yard rushers allowed by the Ravens in their past four games after having allowed only one in their previous 60 games.
Dolphins pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- EVEN
With quarterback Jay Fiedler out with a thumb injury, the Dolphins have lost three straight, and Fielder's replacement, Ray Lucas, has taken most of the heat. Lucas has completed just 54 percent of his passes and has thrown six interceptions, but he has gotten incrementally better. The Ravens' secondary, however, won't be at its best because cornerback Chris McAlister (ankle sprain) is expected to miss his second straight game. With Gary Baxter and Alvin Porter at cornerback, the Ravens were average against the Bengals, who twice missed open receivers downfield for easy touchdowns. Miami has some weapons in receiver Chris Chambers and tight end Randy McMichael.
Key stat: 16. AFC-leading interceptions made by the Ravens this season.
Special teams -- DOLPHINS
The Ravens are second to last in starting field position (32-yard line), while the Dolphins lead the NFL in kickoff returns (25.1-yard average). The Ravens were horrible in kickoff coverage last week, allowing a 94-yard touchdown return up the middle of the field. Cutting J.R. Jenkins and giving the kickoff duties to Matt Stover won't solve matters. The Ravens are looking for another boost from rookie return specialist Lamont Brightful, who brought back memories of Jermaine Lewis last Sunday. Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare has been inconsistent, missing four field-goal tries.
Intangibles -- RAVENS
If Lucas gets off to a bad start, the Miami fans will boo quickly, which could take away the home-field advantage. The Ravens are 1-3 on the road, with the three losses coming by a total of eight points.
Prediction -- RAVENS
With the Dolphins' confidence on the ropes, the Ravens will come out pounding with a more talented rushing attack than the one that smacked Miami in the playoffs last season. For once this season, the Ravens will survive a close game on the road, 13-12.
BREAK DOWN
Records
Ravens 4-5 Dolphins 5-4
Line
Dolphins by 4 1/2
Vs. spread
Ravens 6-3 Dolphins 5-4
Series
Dolphins lead 2-0
Last meeting
Dolphins won, 19-16 on Sept. 17, 2000, at Miami.
NFL rankings
Ravens offense: Rush (16), pass (30), overall (29).
Ravens defense: Rush (14), pass (21), overall (17).
Dolphins offense: Rush (8), pass (21), overall (16).
Dolphins defense: Rush (5), pass (19), overall (10).
Quick hits
Since 2000, the Ravens are 9-2 in November.
Ravens S Ed Reed is tied for NFL lead in interceptions with four.
Dolphins are 3-1 at home this season and have NFL-best 183-63-1 home record since 1970.
Dolphins' Ray Lucas has lowest passer rating (53.3) of any NFL quarterback with at least 100 pass attempts.
Injuries
RAVENS: Out: DE Michael McCrary (knee); QB Chris Redman (back); WR Brandon Stokley (foot). Doubtful: LB Ray Lewis (shoulder). Questionable: TE Todd Heap (knee); TE John Jones (knee); CB Chris McAlister (ankle); CB James Trapp (shoulder).
DOLPHINS: Out: WR Cris Carter (kidney); QB Jay Fiedler (thumb); LB Twan Russell (knee-injured reserve). Questionable: T Mark Dixon (ankle); S Trent Gamble (groin). Probable: QB Ray Lucas (back); DE Adewale Ogunleye (knee); DE Jason Taylor (wrist); RB Ricky Williams (ankle).
Ravens offense
WR 84 Javin Hunter
LT 75 Jonathan Ogden
LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo
C 62 Mike Flynn
RG 66 Bennie Anderson
RT 77 Ethan Brooks
TE 86 Todd Heap
WR 89 Travis Taylor
QB 11 Jeff Blake
FB 39 Alan Ricard
RB 31 Jamal Lewis
Dolphins defense
DE 93 A. Ogunleye
DT 95 Tim Bowens
DT 64 Larry Chester
DE 99 Jason Taylor
WLB 59 Derrick Rodgers
MLB 54 Zach Thomas
SLB 52 M. Greenwood
CB 23 Patrick Surtain
CB 29 Sam Madison
SS 27 Arturo Freeman
FS 31 Brock Marion
Dolphins offense
WR 80 James McKnight
LT 63 Mark Dixon
LG 66 Jamie Nails
C 61 Tim Ruddy
RG 75 Todd Perry
RT 71 Todd Wade
TE 81 R. McMichael
WR 84 Chris Chambers
QB 6 Ray Lucas
FB 44 Rob Konrad
RB 34 Ricky Williams
Ravens defense
LE 98 Tony Weaver
NT 97 Kelly Gregg
RE 96 Adalius Thomas
OLB 90 Cornell Brown
ILB 56 Ed Hartwell
ILB 51 Bernardo Harris
OLB 58 Peter Boulware
CB 24 Alvin Porter
CB 28 Gary Baxter
SS 47 Will Demps
FS 20 Ed Reed
Inside Slant
George Kokinis, the Ravens' assistant director of player personnel, sizes up the Dolphins:
Strength
The secondary. Patrick Surtain is physical, a good tackler and likes to ride people nice and tight. The other cornerback, Sam Madison, is more of a finesse player who gets his hands on a lot of footballs. The nickel back, Jamar Fletcher, has made some rookie mistakes but has come into his own a little bit.
Key matchup
Ravens LB Peter Boulware vs. Dolphins OTs Todd Wade and Mark Dixon. Wade is more of a run blocker than a pass protector. He's big and rangy with his arms, which means a wide rush is needed. Dixon was a left guard last year and has moved out to left tackle. He's not going to overwhelm you with his power but he's tough to beat.
Play to watch
Near left, 333 F Angle. It's a short pass play that sends the wide-outs on quick, out patterns while the quarterback is looking to go to the fullback or the tight end. Lined up to the left, the tight end goes 5 yards and cuts left. The fullback rubs off the tight end and goes over the middle. If the outside linebacker sees the tight end and hesitates to cover the fullback, the quarterback hits the fullback over the middle. If the outside linebacker immediately jumps on the fullback, the quarterback looks to the tight end.