Star of the game
The Ravens’ defense.
Miami quarterback Chad Pennington has thrown 11 interceptions all season, with five of them to the Ravens, including four on Sunday. Safety Ed Reed made two and cornerback Fabian Washington and safety Jim Leonhard each had one. Marques Douglas forced a fumble, which Terrell Suggs recovered in the third quarter. It led to Le’Ron McClain’s eight-yard touchdown run.
Decisive play
Reed returning his first interception 64 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter was among the best in NFL postseason history. He caught Pennington’s pass at the Baltimore 36, and ran sideline to sideline before cutting up field and following several teammates into the end zone.
Best coaching decision
The Ravens stayed aggressive on offense late in the second quarter. Instead of being content to run out the clock, they drove 46 yards on seven plays to set up Matt Stover’s 31-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half. This drive included a 31-yard completion from Joe Flacco to Derrick Mason.
Worst decision(s)
Safety Haruki Nakamura and cornerback Fabian Washington each got called for pass interference on the same drive early in the fourth quarter. It helped the Dolphins drive 74 yards on five players before Pennington threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Brown, pulling the Dolphins to within 20-9 with 13:19 remaining.
It was over when
Miami receiver Ted Ginn Jr. fumbled an end-around, resulting in a 19-yard loss after the Dolphins had reached the Ravens’ 25-yard line. It pushed the Dolphins out of field goal range and ended any hope of a comeback.
— Ron Snyder
