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During the regular season, Miami quarterback Chad Pennington threw just seven interceptions, one of the lowest totals in the NFL among starting quarterbacks. On Sunday, during the Dolphins 27-9 Wild Card loss to Baltimore, Pennington was guilty of four interceptions while Miami turned the ball over five times against a swarming Ravens defense. Miami finished the day a -4 in the turnover department, after finishing the season with a league-best +17 margin in terms of turnover differential.
That's not going to get it done.
Ed Reed was responsible for two of the interceptions, including a 64-yard return for a touchdown, giving Baltimore a 10-3 lead just before halftime, while also stopping a Dolphins drive late in the third quarter with an interception in the red zone. He was simply everywhere.
When the Ravens defense wasn't picking off wayward Pennington passes, they were shutting down the Miami running game, holding the Dolphins to just 52 yards rushing on 21 carries, while Ronnie Brown was responsible for just 19 yards on 12 carries.
Meanwhile, the Ravens did their thing on offense by pounding the football with Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee to the tune of 152 yards, while Joe Flacco simply had to make sure he didn't do anything stupid -- and he didn't. Flacco finished the day a pedestrian 9-of-23 passing for 135 yards. The most important statistic for him, however, was the fact he did not turn the ball over.
Miami tried to make it a game late when Brown hauled in a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch from Pennington, cutting the Ravens lead to 11 following a blocked extra point. After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing Baltimore possession, Miami was again driving deep into Ravens territory until they attempted an end-around to Ted Ginn Jr.
The Ravens brought an all-out blitz and had a meeting of sorts in the Miami backfield, while Ray Lewis nearly took out Pennington before he could even hand the ball off. Ginn fumbled the initial exchange, and then made matters worse when he kicked it 10 yards backwards before ultimately falling on it, taking the Dolphins out of field goal range.
For the Ravens, the win advances them to the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs for a date with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
Miami, meanwhile, has a rather disappointing end to what can only be described as an improbable season, that has to be considered a tremendous success, even with the loss in the playoffs. After all, one year ago this team was, essentially, the Detroit Lions. Fantastic turnaround.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-04-2009 @ 5:08PM
Mike said...
Hey, from a Pats' fan, hats off to the Miami Dolphins for a great season. Yeah, it ended way too soon, but at least you had 17 weeks of fun. It's nice finally having some competition in the division because we know the Jets will rot next year!
To Ravens' fans, you have a great chance of going all the way with that smokin' defense and an offense that's producing. Do the AFC proud!
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1-04-2009 @ 9:20PM
packer steck said...
ya, i guess miami could have used brett today 3 ints is better then 4 lol
1-05-2009 @ 10:08AM
RICHARD said...
THE RAVENS ARE FOR REAL, AND THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO GO ALL THE WAY...
1-04-2009 @ 5:25PM
BRIAN said...
TODAYS GAME JUST POINTED OUT MORE FORCEBLY THAT TED GINN IS A GUTLESS PLAYER. HE CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS THIS YEAR EVERYWHERE THEY PUT HIM THAN ANY 6 OTHER PLAYERS ON THE TEAM. HE IS AFRAID TO GET TACKLED. HE RUNS WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT. HE CAN'T RETURN KICK-OFFS OR PUNTS. HE IS THE BIGGEST FAILURE AS A #1 PICK IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL. HE IS AN EMBARRESMENT TO THE DOLPHIN'S TEAM. TRADE HIM FOR SOME CORNER BACKS AND/OR LINE BACKERS OR ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN GET. I GUESS THEY MISS WELKER AND CHAMBERS NOW. THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET THEM LEAVE.
BIG BILL
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1-07-2009 @ 10:02PM
Brett said...
I totally agree about Ginn being a relative bust, especially for a #1 pick. He plays like a wimp...worse, looks like he's not really trying at times- like not breaking up potential interceptions at critical times when he should have the awareness to do that...he screws up the simplest plays/catches and then makes a spectacular play here and there to make you think he's a real player. He has talent to play in the NFL, just not as the premier receiver on a good team. He's no Wes Welker for sure...Boy do I miss Chambers too!
1-04-2009 @ 6:31PM
T said...
Ha! I knew Miami was not the truth. Not surprised at all with the loss.
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1-04-2009 @ 8:42PM
ted said...
I knew they were weak.
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1-05-2009 @ 12:42AM
kate said...
Hmmm so do you think that any Miami players will be whining and saying Chad should have been benched or complain that he lost the big game?
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1-05-2009 @ 10:07AM
Redpill said...
I don't think they where ready to win in the playoff's. but to go 1-15 and make the playoffs is great jump. with the right moves they can improve and maybe even be good enough for afc championship. i'm not dolphins fan but for team to go from worst to playoffs is great to see and maybe can give lion's fans some hope.
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1-05-2009 @ 12:12PM
B.R.V. said...
Wow!......Ed Reed, incredible game. I've never seen the position of Safety played at such a high level. Instincts, intelligence, and athleticism, the whole package. It's hard to remember ever watching a game that was dominated by a Safety. Congratulations!
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1-05-2009 @ 2:23PM
docdi said...
Chad got the last laugh. Dumped by the Jets, he rose to the occasion period. Lost in the first round? Big deal. He'll be back and so will the phins. Why be so quick to judge? Chad had what so many players didn't...the Tuna. He had so much more going for him than his arm. Parcells restored his belief in himself and his abilities. Lay off. What a remarkable season the phins had. They should be proud as should their phans. ROCK ON MIAMI!!! YOU DID GOOD!!!
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1-05-2009 @ 11:08PM
arty said...
CHAD IS A LOSER SINCE THE SHOULDER INJURY,WAS GREAT PRIOR,YOURE KIDDING RIGHT,JUST HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY A STUPID STATEMANT LIKE THAT? CHAD IS A LOSER BY GAME PCT. FAVRE IS GOD,MORE NFL FILMS OF FAVRE,ACTUALYY TWICE AS MANY AS ANY PLAYER IN HISTORY. HE HAS A BAD GAME,HIS LINE DOESNT PROTECT HIM HE GETS HIT,BRETT FAVRE TOOK MORE BULLSHIT THIS YEAR BECAUSE HIS 60 MILLION DOLLAR PROTECTION SUCKED AFTER HALF SEASON,DEFENSE/ JENKINS ? WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FAT ASS? FAVRE HAD A TOUGHER SCHEDULE AT 40 AND WAS NOT THE BLAME ,PAAAAALEEEEEASE WITH CHADSY BABY,HE F------
SUCKS
1-05-2009 @ 6:16PM
plumbrick13 said...
Wake up people, put down the crack and go buy a HDTV and watch the game again, cheating players on both sides of the ball for the new "Dirty Birds" Ravens SUCK and I hope all the dirty players get hurt!
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1-06-2009 @ 10:59AM
chuck said...
crybaby
1-06-2009 @ 1:57PM
dirty bird said...
Hay, plumbrick ,suck it up little girl football is for real men not wimps like u that cry foul when you get spanked Ravens all the way
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1-12-2009 @ 11:09PM
bo said...
is it just mheade or does anyone else remember that during the dolphins game that great defense had atleast 7 helmet to helmet hits and none were called it is a cycle for the ravens defense do it till they call it,led by a guy who knows best how to get by with things my friends call him ray the hitman lewis who may not have ulled the trigger or what ever but was driving during a drive by shooting which most eole would get acessory to murder or something but he didnt have to be like o j and get a high priced defense team willing to threating or intimidate witness,s ray ray just kept playing football.i dont make 15 to 20 million a year and i would be behind bars for life for being in his position
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1-16-2009 @ 2:04PM
gregloveisgood said...
the dolphin need to work on the defence this off season and we need better wideout .the dolphin did very good this season they did better then i expect iam a dolphin for life go dolphin good blessing next season
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