OWINGS MILLS -Brandon Marshall is one of the most imposing wide receivers in the game.

He's a physical specimen whose 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame represents the prototype for the big, strong, fast downfield targets that NFL teams covet.

The Baltimore Ravens, though, have a strong track record against the Miami Dolphins' star.

They locked Marshall down last season when he was with the Denver Broncos, holding him to four receptions for 24 yards in a 30-7 rout.

Now, they're looking to duplicate that feat Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

While the Ravens' secondary was ultra-vulnerable in a 37-34 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills before the bye when they allowed four touchdown passes, they aren't intimidated by Marshall.

"I see a typical, big-time wide receiver that has great, great speed and great size," Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "He shows the ability to go for the football. He's not one of those guys that's going to be timid.

"He's got to rank right up there with all the top, elite wide receivers that we play against. The thing he has that some of the other ones don't is the God-given size. He still can run with it, and he's got great strength."

Traded to the Dolphins after last season, Marshall has caught 47 passes for 588 yards this season.

He's on pace to catch 107 passes this season, which would set a new franchise record.

And Marshall is extremely difficult to tackle after the catch.

"He runs the entire route tree out there," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He runs quick passes and does everything downfield. He's a very good route-runner for a big man. When he runs the underneath stuff, it's always a catch-and-run idea."

However, he has only one touchdown catch and has been held under 65 receiving yards in three of the past four games.

Because of Marshall's size, hands and ability to run after the catch, the Ravens have a lot of respect for Marshall.

"Different receivers pose different challenges," said cornerback Chris Carr, who's giving up six inches and 50 pounds to Marshall. "We've faced taller guys like Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. He's one of those guys who's going to catch the ball if you don't have tight coverage.

"He's going to catch it even if you do. He's going to catch it even if you do. He can go up and get the ball. He's a very good receiver."

The Ravens don't plan to double-team Marshall.

To do so, they feel would be overlooking wide receiver Davone Bess, who has caught 39 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns. Not to mention Brian Hartline, who has 25 catches for 287 yards and a score.

"I don't think you have to double him because if you double him, they've got another guy by the name of Bess who's pretty darn good," Mattison said. "I don't think you go into that ball game and say, ‘We're going to double him on every play.' I know we do have to be proactive toward their top receivers during passing situations."

Carr expects the Dolphins to come out throwing after the Ravens' struggles against Lee Evans, who caught three touchdowns on Fabian Washington.

"They're going to run the ball and have certain patterns they want to run," Carr said. "They're confident with the guys they have. After our last game, I'm sure they're confident they can have success against us. If they have success early, they'll come back to it. It's just our job to be ready for whatever they throw at us."

Marshall told South Florida reporters Thursday that he's looking forward to this matchup.

"The Ravens are legendary," Marshall said. "Well Ray Lewis may be. When you talk about football players that's what their defense is made up of. Sometimes you can't coach some of the things that they do.

"It's not going to be a pretty game. We, both football teams are tough physical and I think this is going to be a defining moment on what type of team we're going to be for the rest of this season.