The Phinsider
The 2-6 Miami Dolphins took on the 2-5 Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, with both teams desperate to turn their season around.
Many around the league have suggested that the Dolphins should “blow it up” this season, but recent reports suggest the team is still clinging onto a semblance of hope, however slim. Meanwhile, the Ravens have had a terrible start to the season, but this week sees the return of All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, it was the Ravens who seized the opportunity to turn their season around. Miami didn’t come to play, and made key mistakes in big spots. The Ravens raced out to an early lead, and never looked back.
Dolphins 6-28 Ravens.
DOLPHINS: The Dolphins won the toss and elected to receive the ball. A nice return from Dee Eskridge set up the offense with 1st-and-10 at their own 43-yard-line. On Miami’s very first play from scrimmage, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found Jaylen Waddle on a 20-yard post route, setting the Dolphins up on the Ravens’ 37-yard-line. But a few underwhelming plays later, the Dolphins failed to convert on 3rd down. On came Miami’s field goal unit, and a 49-yard attempt from Riley Patterson saw the Dolphins take a 3-0 lead.
SCORE ALERT: Dolphins 3-0 Ravens.
RAVENS: On Baltimore’s first drive, they went three-and-out and elected to punt the ball facing 4th-and-3 from their own 40-yard-line. An exceptional punt from punter Jordan Stout saw the Ravens down the ball on Miami’s own 3-yard-line.
DOLPHINS: Backed up in their own territory, the Dolphins managed to draw up a great pass play to sophomore wideout Tahj Washington, who made his first career NFL catch, but unfortunately fumbled and gave the ball straight back to the Ravens.
RAVENS: In great field position, the Ravens still needed all four downs to score, but eventually got the job done. A 2-yard pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews in the back of the end zone led to the game’s first touchdown.
SCORE ALERT: Dolphins 3-7 Ravens.
DOLPHINS: Starting on their own 26-yard-line, multiple chunk plays to De’Von Achane quickly saw the Dolphins move all the way to the Ravens’ 21-yard-line. Facing 3rd-and-4, a quick pass to Waddle left the Dolphins one yard short of a first down. Initially electing to go for it, a false start by right tackle Larry Borom instead saw the Dolphins bring on their field goal unit. Unfortunately, Patterson missed his field goal wide-right, and an impressive Dolphins drive ended in zero points.
RAVENS: Following the missed field goal, Ravens took over on offense at their own 25-yard-line. A 1o-yard pass to wide receiver Zay Flowers and a 35-yard pass to tight end Isiah Likely had the Ravens firmly in Dolphins’ territory, with the latter bringing about the end of the first quarter.
RAVENS: To open the second quarter, it took the Ravens just two plays to score....
