Two things could come out of this weekend's match-up versus the Ravens if the Dolphins can pull off a win. For one, they will have beat the odds and beaten a dramatically better team than they are (Baltimore's 5 wins are considerably handsomer than Miami's 4). Secondly they will put themselves back into contention for the playoffs. It's not easy being third in the division under the Patriots and Jets, but if the Dolphins can get into the top 6 in the AFC, then wins over their division foes would put them in a very good spot to make the playoffs (if they can't win against NE or NYJ, they don't deserve to make the playoffs anyway). And let's face it, even if they don't make it to the Super Bowl, a team returning with young, playoff-tested players is more likely to make the push in 2011.
Now, in the past we'd have had to pray for a miracle to beat the Ravens (it took a miracle last time we beat them, in 2007). But the Ravens of today are not an elite team, they're just a pretty good team. Their defense is no longer a top 5 defense, their offense is about the same as it's ever been, which is to say, average, and they don't seem all that concerned about the future if their depth chart is any indication.
But still, the Dolphins are plenty banged up, the odds of going 5-0 on the road are against them, and the Ravens are still a better coached team than Miami. They have added offensive firepower since the last couple of times they thrashed the Dolphins. However, the Miami Dolphins have yet to have a perfect game - this could be it....
My Prediction: MIA 31 BAL 21
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