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Can Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive?

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If Sunday is effectively a playoff game against the Miami Dolphins, at least John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco can look back upon past experience – they’ve won a postseason game at Sun Life Stadium before. In fact, it was the site of the very first NFL playoff game for Harbaugh as a head coach, and for Flacco as a quarterback. The Ravens beat the ‘Phins in Miami twice back in 2008, and again last season. Throw in a win in Baltimore in 2010, and the Ravens are 4-0 against Miami in the Flacco/Harbs era, helping to erase the wonderful memory of 2007, when Brian Billick’s Ravens gave Cam Cameron’s Dolphins their only win.

What does this have to do with Sunday? Well, nothing really. But, as sports fans, we look for patterns among the madness, and if you want some confidence that the Ravens can keep their slim playoff hopes alive, unfortunately this is about the best I’ve got. At least, it certainly beats the alternative, right? Having a losing record against them?

Let’s take a look at some quotes, stats, and more to get us ready for a must-win game – for both squads – courtesy of Conrad’s Seafood.

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SERIES HISTORY

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KNOW THY ENEMY

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

QB Joe Flacco on if it’s easy moving on from tough losses:

“No, not really. This is what we do, man. This is what we live for. In this sport, you only get to play one a week. And it can be tough, but you have to be tough about it. You have to come in here and address what went wrong and move on. I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest thing to do, but it is something that we have to do, and I think we’re pretty good at doing it.”

ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley on RB Justin Forsett deserving Pro Bowl recognition:

“Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett is the frontrunner for NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and he is the most valuable player on the team. Here is something else to consider: Forsett for the Pro Bowl. As strange as this might have sounded at the start of the season, the long-time journeyman deserves to be mentioned with the likes of DeMarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles. Only six total running backs (there is no AFC/NFC distinction anymore) are selected, and it would be a mistake not to include Forsett.”

RB Justin Forsett on why Gary Kubiak’s offensive running scheme fits him and the Ravens so well:

“In the zone running scheme, you are trying to get the defense to move horizontal, which creates space and lanes. I’m a decisive runner. I like to get my foot downhill, make that one cut and go. It’s perfect in that scheme, because I get to choose my lanes and really have the option of where I want to go. And we have success with it. I have been in it for a long time, maybe six years of my career have been in that type of offense, so it’s repetition, patience. And you’ve got to be tough; you’ve got to be physical to be able to run inside and outside, so it’s something that I pride myself in being able to do.”

QB Joe Flacco on thinking about playoff scenarios and determining what needs to happen in a tight AFC race:

“There are times when you think about that stuff, but it’s so tough, and it’s honestly so bad for the mind to think of what the possibilities are and what the outcome is going to be. We just have to go play a football game. I think if we do that and concentrate on ourselves, good things are going to happen.”

WR Torrey Smith on the Ravens’ remaining schedule:

“Every game right now is like a playoff game for us. We play a couple of teams that are all in the hunt. So, it’s really going to be about who wants it more. We have to be at our best right now, and we understand that.”

Hey, You Look Familiar! ~ KEY CONNECTIONS

Ravens defensive line coach Clarence Brooks held the same position with the Dolphins (2000-04), leading a defense that recorded at least 44 sacks three times and averaged nearly 3 sacks a game over a four-year span.

Ravens senior advisor to player development O.J. Brigance played with the Dolphins from 1996-99 and was twice voted team captain in four seasons.

Ravens Midwest area scout Jack Glowik covered the mid-central states in the Dolphins’ scouting system from 2005-07.

Dolphins assistant special teams coach Marwan Maalouf held the same position with the Ravens from 2008-11.

The Ravens signed CB Rashaan Melvin off Miami’s practice squad to to their 53-man roster on Nov. 8 this season.

Dolphins LB Dannell Ellerbe (2009-12) was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ravens. Ellerbe, who is currently on IR with Miami, totaled 190 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT and 7 PD in his Baltimore career and helped the team win Super Bowl XLVII.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and offensive line coach Juan Castillo and Dolphins running backs coach Jeff Nixon were members of the Eagles’ coaching staff during the 2007 season. Harbaugh served as the secondary coach, while Castillo coached the “O” line, and Nixon was an assistant running backs/special teams coach.

Several coaches from these teams served under Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak when he was the Texans’ head coach (2006-13): Dolphins offensive line coach John Benton served in the same position for Houston (2006-13), Ravens quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison was the Texans’ offensive coordinator (2010-13) and Ravens TEs coach Brian Pariani held the same title (2006-13).

A number of Ravens players hail from the state of Florida: WR Kamar Aiken (Hollywood), S Terrence Brooks (Dunnelon), DT Terrence Cody (Fort Myers), OLB Elvis Dumervil (Miami), S Matt Elam (West Palm Beach), RB Justin Forsett (Lakeland), DT Timmy Jernigan (Lake City), ILB Albert McClellan (Lakeland), OLB Pernell McPhee (Pahokee) and G/T Jah Reid (Haines City).

Several Dolphins are Maryland natives: LB Jelani Jenkins (Olney), DT Randy Starks (Waldorf) and DE Cameron Wake (Hyattsville). Two Dolphins on Injured Reserve – T Branden Albert (Glen Burnie) and DT A.J. Francis (Severn) – are from the Baltimore area as well.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT

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