As we close in on the Miami Dolphins’ first playoff game since early in 2002, a familiar foe will enter Dolphins Stadium on Sunday and attempt to rain on the parade in South Florida. Tomorrow the Dolphins (AFC East Champions) face the Baltimore Ravens, an AFC Wild Card team.

The Dolphins have a good deal of recent history against the Ravens. The last time the Dolphins made the playoffs, they faced the Ravens and were booted from the playoffs in bad fashion after a 20-3 loss. Last season, as the Dolphins struggled, it was the Ravens they defeated 22-16 to get their lone win of the season. And earlier this season as the Dolphins struggled to a 2-4 start, it was the loss against the Ravens 27-14 that lit a fire under the Dolphins. After that loss the Dolphins went on to finish the season 9-1, win the AFC East, and find themselves hosting an opening round playoff game.

If the Dolphins hope to keep their magical season afloat, they should pay close attention to the lessons learned in their past two encounters with the Ravens. Within those games the Dolphins can find the gameplan to beat the Ravens again this Sunday. The Dolphins lived much of this season taking advantage of the “wildcat” formation, using its surprise and versatility to take advantage of their opponents confusion. The Ravens however are one of the BEST defenses in the NFL and in the Dolphins’ loss to the Ravens earlier this season, Baltimore was more than ready for the wildcat formations.

The Dolphins need only look to last seasons victory over Baltimore to find the way to beat them. The best way to beat Baltimore is a balanced attack and the ability to exploit a weakness if/when it is found. Baltimore will no doubt be ready for the wildcat, so the Dolphins need to employ a more conventional game plan and save the wildcat for surprise opportunities.

Win, lose, or draw tomorrow the Miami Dolphins are by far THE story of the NFL this season. Their meteoric rise from 1-15, to 11-5, division winner, and playoff participant is almost unprecedented. The Dolphins are just the 2nd team in NFL history to make a 10 game improvement on their record and make the playoffs. A huge amount of kudos are due to Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano for tearing down a system that wasn’t working and build it from the ground up. No one in their wildest imagination could have forseen such a rapid turnaround, but while it lasts, enjoy the ride! GO FINS!