Miami's Collapsing Rush D

The electronic hardware tabbed 3 of the 4 playoff winners. The upset was Ravens 20, Dolphins 3. Were there any indications the Ravens would dominate?

Until last month the Dolphns' defensive rushing chart shows their D was strong against the rush. Then suddenly showed up weak as a rained on bee. In two of the four remaining games the barn door swung open. The Dolphin rush defense allowed 11 rushng first downs to the 49ers and 12 to the Pats. Is that an average of 11.5 rush first downs per game?

What does the weakest team allow? The Vikings ranked last giving up 7.94 rushing first downs per game. Huge difference. The Ravens' coaching staff saw the weak link. And attacked--moving the sticks via the rush 12 times.

The Dolphins earned 1.

Computer-aided stat analysis shows that one rushing first down more than your opponent adds 2.2 points to the scoring differential (winning margin). The Ravens won by 17. They could have won by more.

Were there hidden injuries?

Bud Goode