"On the Dolphins' first possession, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown ran through the once-impenetrable Baltimore run defense for 45 yards on six carries.

That opening prompted the Dolphins to run Brown all of three more times all day.

It never has been Brown's way to complain publicly about not getting the ball, and he wasn't about to start Sunday in a locker room full of disappointment.

``We had some opportunities in the running game,'' Brown said. ``With the opportunities we had, we ran the ball fairly well, but at the same time, we didn't have enough opportunities in other areas.

``As far as being able to pass the ball, it's hard when you get down to continue to run the football. With some of the mistakes we made, putting ourselves in third-and-long, you've got to pass the ball. I know there was one drive, I had an opportunity to convert the third down [a third-and-3], and I dropped the ball.''

The Dolphins called only five more running plays overall after the first drive even though, this season, Baltimore's pass defense has surpassed its run defense.

Despite nose guard Haloti Ngata being what Dolphins coach Tony Sparano called earlier this week ``a wrecking ball'' this season, the Ravens rank 17th against the run and are 19th in yards per carry allowed. And Brown opened and closed the Dolphins' first possession with 12-yard runs and ripped off a 14-yarder in between.

The Dolphins' second possession was a Ricky Williams run for 1, then an interception. Possession No. 3, three pass plays, punt. The fourth possession was a two-minute drill and the first half ended with the Dolphins down 13-10."