Yesterday's win in Miami was important for the Ravens in ways that go beyond the obvious measurable of being 3-3 instead of 2-4.

This was an enormous win for the Ravens psychologically collectively as well as in many individual cases.

For starters, as linebacker Terrell Suggs said leading up to the game, it was a make or break situation for the team's season. Without beating Miami, The Ravens had little chance of convincing themselves that they could stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. This win gives the team more of a sense of purpose when they show up for work.

For rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, it was a huge boost to put together the best game of his brief career after having three straight games where his performance slid and there were questions that perhaps he should be replaced by Troy Smith. Flacco made some mistakes, including nearly throwing an interception early, but he got away with it and came right back to throw his second touchdown pass of the season and first to a wide receiver. His 120.2 passing rating was his best by far.

Kicker Matt Stover broke an 0-for-3 slump on field-goal tries over 40 yards at a point when it was psychologically important to do so -- if not for him, at least for the coaching staff and his teammates. The Dolphins had just taken a 3-0 lead and the Ravens had battled back to get into field goal range with a Flacco-to-Derrick Mason 15-yard pass on third down. Stover made a 47-yard field goal that, at the time, was a huge boost.

The offensive line had been an area of concern, especially after the season-ending injury to right guard Marshal Yanda. That the O-line was able to block well enough for 140 rushing yards and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron found ways to exploit new right guard Chris Chester's athleticism quells some of the doubts.

For the defense, it was hugely important for that unit's confidence to hold an opponent to one touchdown even though the Ravens were playing with guys who were backup cornerbacks at the beginning of the season. Usually when the Ravens have been forced to go with backup corners, the opposition has lit them up. Whether Chris McAlister's limited role yesterday is permanent remains to be seen but that the Ravens showed they can hold it together in the secondary without both McAlister and Samari Rolle has to help that group's psyche.

And finally, it was also a test of rookie head coach John Harbaugh’s ability to rally his team in the midst of a slump and following a defeat to Indianapolis in which almost nothing went right. From the beginning, Harbaugh set up this game against Miami as a test of character, and as a result, his leadership ability to instill in his team a spirit to fight back. The results speak for themselves.