The day is finally here. Are you just a little excited?
The Miami Dolphins return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2001-02 season today. They play the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore is favored by 3 points.
But so far in these playoffs, the home team is 2-0.
One thing I know: The Dolphins lost to Baltimore 27-13 on Oct. 19 and two things the Dolphins want to address on offense are the use of the wildcat package and turnovers. On the turnover front, the Miamians must avoid the kind of game-changing plays that they allowed in the first game.
That means no interception returns for touchdowns, such as the one Terrell Suggs had in the regular season.
On the wildcat front, the Dolphins have studied and schemed to beat the blitz the Ravens showed every time Miami lined up in the formation the first game. That suggests passes and other tweaks out of wildcat, rather than just Ronnie Brown runs up the pike. The former might work. The latter didn't work on Oct. 19.
One last thing: The Dolphins defense must make Joe Flacco play like a rookie. He played more like Joe Montana in the first game. That means pressure. It will be interesting to see how Miami brings that pressure. Joey Porter, with 17.5 sacks in the regular season, needs to step up.
As you know, the reason you're here is to get the live blog going. It begins in the comments section at 1 p.m., although if you start now, I'll be checking in and out while I do my pregame show on 790 The Ticket in Miami.
The show streams online at 790theticket.com. You can also call me toll free at 1-888-790-3776.
i understand the smith pick because that was the best division in football, but, sparano won his division. and they were 1-15. and i asked 6 of my friends to name as many fins players as the could. 6 was the most. the average was 4. porter, pennington, ricky, and ronnie.
i think he didn't get it because people give parcells too much credit!!
Posted by: jaison Biagini | January 04, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Ray Lewis is a big personality. Such a big influence on his team...Bigger than Parcells? Ummm.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Bill Parcells doesn't have time to read millions of thank you notes. However, he might enjoy it if you sent him a Dove bar.
Posted by: Cam Cameron | January 04, 2009 at 12:18 PM
if parcels leaves can ireland replace him??
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:19 PM
cam i just saw u on the field u look good in purple,
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:20 PM
you forget, ireland was personel guy for dallas, they had some great drafts with ireland.
Posted by: Jaison Biagini | January 04, 2009 at 12:20 PM
god is intrewing holiday on cbs
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Purple is a royal color. This country booted the royalty 230 years ago.
Posted by: Cam Cameron | January 04, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Bob, get a life.
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
back to the coach of the year wasent smith in the shadows of that patriots gm or something they hired.
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
talk about bogus!!!! sparano lost by ONE FREAKING VOTE
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
bob shut ur mouth and know ur role.
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
hey Mando, Starks is out?
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 04, 2009 at 12:27 PM
OF COURSE BUT THE BIG Q IS HOW LONG WILL HE LAST MY GUSS IS HE FOLLOW THEMASTER.IF IT WAS THAT EASY DALLS WOULD STILL PLAYING AND THE JETS IN SUPER BALL.ONLY ONE TUNA COMES EVERY 30 YEARS.TO FIND OUT WAIT JUST FEW DAYS NO MORE. BY CARMA
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:27 PM
80 degrees hope this plays a factor
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:27 PM
GO PHINS!!!!!
FIRED UP IN PENSACOLA!!
Posted by: brgfather | January 04, 2009 at 12:28 PM
PLEASE do not have Cam Cameron win today...I am sure he will. We are Fin Fans.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 12:29 PM
LETS GIVE IRELAND CREDIT
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:29 PM
mando did u say chupas
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:30 PM
BREAKING NEWS:DOLPHINS ARE MISSING THEIR PANTS AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THEM .SOME ONE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO WEAR SHORTS IN 80 DEGREES.MAMA MIA
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Charlie Casserly just had the best LB's in free agency...Channing Crowder was missing. Imagine that?
I cannot stand Crowder. I hope he gets his contract that pays him like he thinks he should be paid. I mean, in this economy, it is awesome to hear him talk about his financial status.
He stinks out loud.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 12:32 PM
ravens:56 fins:-6
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Hayden,
If we win today, you still won't believe in Miami!
Posted by: daryl | January 04, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Who is posting as rising???
Posted by: the real rising is in da house biatchs | January 04, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Anybody has an internet feed for the game?
Posted by: Bruno | January 04, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Coach Cowher picks the Fins to win and Marino picks the Ravens??/ WTF???
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:44 PM
HERE I AM! ITS TIME TO STAND AND DELIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DOLPHINS! I LOVE YOU ALL! LETS GO TO WAR!
Posted by: AJ in ATL | January 04, 2009 at 12:46 PM
i ams
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:47 PM
well u got to pick the ravens cause there better on paper any tv announcer regardless usually goes off that.
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:49 PM
One thing about today's game that is different from the first time we played the Ravens is we didn't have our two NTs in Ferguson and Soliai. We were using Starks and Merling at NT. To me that will be a big difference for our run defense today. We did a nice job against the Jets running game last week against a good OL and a good running game.
Can you believe that we're less than 20 minutes away from our first playoff game since 2001?
Go Dolphins!
Posted by: Mr. Bungle | January 04, 2009 at 12:50 PM
What a surprise, Berman picks the Ravens...but Keyshawn, Ditka, and Chris Carter picked the Fins...yeah baby!
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Does anyone have the link for the game???
Sorry force of habit.
Go Fins!!!
Posted by: Oregon Fin Fan | January 04, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Randy Starks is inactive today. Both Ravens CBs are active.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 12:52 PM
harbaugh and flacco dont have an idea what there in for its playoffs mothaf)*@#$
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:57 PM
get up fans lets get those false starts
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish just did the national anthem. Guess the Dolphins no longer make him cry.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 12:59 PM
wilford secret weapon today?? or is he inactive lol
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:00 PM
GO FINS!!!!!!!1
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:00 PM
if u are a doplhin fan on this site you Suck!!!!
Posted by: hoodphin | January 04, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Miami wins the coin toss and defers. Baltimore gets the ball first.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:02 PM
mando i see alot of open seats what gives?
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:02 PM
This is it
Posted by: Marc | January 04, 2009 at 01:04 PM
At we get the ball in the 2nd half.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:04 PM
f u unibrow flaco looking like bert from seaseme street
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Joey Porter MUST, MUST, MUST contain that outside edge otherwise this will be a looong day for Miami defense.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Miami
1 Heisman Trophy winner as RB
1 #2 pick RB
1 #1 pick OL
Miami 27
Ravens 16
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:05 PM
lets go fins!!!!!
Posted by: easy63 | January 04, 2009 at 01:05 PM
This is a late-arriving crowd.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Terrible pass rush. Not good enough. Terrible.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Maybe we shoulda taken the ball. Momentum gonna hurt us early.
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:06 PM
get them turn over
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Cam has always had good starts on the opening drives...this is right on que.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
you got to be kidding me
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
HUGE break. Gotta CAPITALIZE.
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
I called it
I called it
TURN OVER MIAMI DOLPHINS
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Paul Soliai with the strip!!!! And it has nothing to do with a club.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
mando u better be makeing noise for me hell yeahaaaha
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
reverse with Ginn around the left side
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:08 PM
neal having no neck awsome turtle
Posted by: joey devilles crotch is rising | January 04, 2009 at 01:08 PM
NICE D. COME ON BABY LETS SCORE!!!!
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:08 PM