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.
Crowd sucks. Very quiet.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:23 PM
No friggin pass rush
Posted by: Bernski | January 04, 2009 at 01:23 PM
It is crazy how much time they have to throw.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:23 PM
where is the f'ing pressure!!!!
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
just like the last playoff game. couldnt get the TD early. It was a good season at least
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
where is the pass rush
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
TURN OVER NOW
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Can some of these bums make a play
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Hey, a tackle for Porter!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
McClain looks tired already.
Posted by: Joel | January 04, 2009 at 01:24 PM
hold em
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:25 PM
hey Armando, whatever happened to Anderson on passing downs?
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 04, 2009 at 01:25 PM
That's Yeremiah Bell, Hayden!!!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:25 PM
yeah
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Bell saves the TD!
Posted by: Joel | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Y Beezy
Posted by: Bernski | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
block now knic
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I love you Bell!
Posted by: Marc | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Well I guess this makes up for the 2nd and goal failure. Game was over with a TD.
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
now we need cobbs with a BIG return
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Big play by Bell, your boy Mando.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Y bell...friggin awesome!!!! Flacco has too much time. They need to rattle him
Posted by: drsamii | January 04, 2009 at 01:26 PM
This will be a long losing day if we can't get anymore pass rush than that
Posted by: Bernski | January 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
alright screw this all negativity aint helpin..later people...good with this crowd Armando.
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
I truly believe Bell is the glue that holds this D together...They MUST re-sign him!
Posted by: Marc | January 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
that was huge, now we need to jam the ball down ray ray's throat...
Posted by: jason | January 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
It is remarkable how bad the pass rush has been in the last four games. They can't hit home, let alone consistently.
Easily this is the area the needs to be addressed come this offseason.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Let's matriculate down the field for a TD boys!
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
our d is trying to push the o line into flacco
instead of making moves around them to get to flacco
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
1. more cb bitzes of edge, too much time for flacco
2. more ricky.
3. y. bell needs to shadow heap
Posted by: sonny crockett | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
we got to be able to run the ball
Posted by: | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
We are the only ones that can make a rookie QB look like a Pro Bowler in his first playoff game.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:28 PM
ginn with an end around now
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:29 PM
On the road as well.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Funny comment, David.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM
ginn should return kickoffs
Posted by: manuel | January 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM
armando what happen whit our pass rush
Posted by: manuel | January 04, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Let's see some a throw out of the Wildcat.
Posted by: DE4Yanks | January 04, 2009 at 01:31 PM
good the D stopped them, apart from the wastetd opportunity on the 1 (they should have used Polite) the Fins look good. We will stick it to them!
Posted by: German FinFan | January 04, 2009 at 01:31 PM
thats two in a row up ray lewis's middle
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Wildcat on third and 2?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:32 PM
wildcat on 3rd down? even if it works i don't like it
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
the ravens always stop the wild cat
Posted by: Bernski | January 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I don't like the wildcat on 3rd down.
Posted by: Joel | January 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
when they run the wild cat they HAVE to snap the ball quicker not wait so loong
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Can they just can the Wildcat against these guys?
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
3 guys just got drilled from behind on that return!!!
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
coaches trying to lose this for us? playcalling going downhill fast.
Posted by: Andrew H | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
three tackles missed on punt
got to do better first man down gets him
3 and out
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
not a good time for the wildcat. thats needs to be a 1st or 2nd down thing against the ravens.
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Take the ball away and score
Posted by: David | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Let's keep Penny under center for 3rd down plays please! Gah...
Posted by: daryl | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Manuel, the pass rush has been pretty bad all season. The Dolphins are blitzing and trying to manufacture a pass rush.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Just hope we get the pass rush going....
Posted by: German FinFan | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
its over folks
crappy playcalling + suspect defense = WE LOSE.
get ready to lose.
Posted by: LOL | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
they're setting up the pass from the wildcat
Posted by: The Bra1n | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
The D is going to get tired quick if we go 3 and out like that.
Posted by: Joel | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Spread the field and keep the ball in Chad's hands.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
our d has held mcclain to 2 yds per carry
flacco is 4/7 for 70
Posted by: Mike W | January 04, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Lets see what adjustments we have.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | January 04, 2009 at 01:36 PM