Impact: The Dolphins get the edge because the Ravens made the bigger mistakes. The Ravens have maintained one of the poorest pass defenses, allowing about 259 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. Schaub can play well, but he generally needs at least one good weapon, whereas Flacco can sling the ball wherever.
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The Dolphins defense came up with a key interception following the two-minute warning. Good pass breakup by Brent Grimes on the drive. “At this point, I put it on me”.
Unlike last week, the Dolphins featured a busy running game.
The rookie gave credit to his receivers for blocking downfield, which they did well, but Allen also made people miss with his great vision and elusiveness. They want him to be a franchise quarterback, and he’s playing well at times, but with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, the Dolphins likely feel he’s too inconsistent in his fourth season. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be looking to aggressively attack the Ravens’ secondary and Landry will be one of his primary targets. There was barely if any push. Are these refs aware they are calling a Dolphins game? The Ravens rank 24th against the pass, but eighth against the run.
This game is going to put everyone into nap mode pretty quickly. On the next play, the Dolphins scored on a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to wide receiver DeVante Parker. Five combined punts in the first period. It’s hard to execute that high-tempo, no-huddle offense unless your quarterback is ridiculously accurate on those short and intermediate throws.
Miami mounted a goal-line stand in the second quarter, stopping Schaub for no gain on fourth and 1 at the 2. He finished with 55 yards on 12 carries in his first career start in Cleveland. In the past three games, he’s averaged 62 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards per game. Baltimore who has recently had a lot of success against Miami will look totally different due to season crippling injuries. Second rolls on his knees.
As for the Dolphins, things began to take a positive turn once Dan Campbell took over for Joe Philbin as head coach.
The freakish sequence continued when the Ravens were twice called for being offsides on the conversion.
After two off-sides penalties on Baltimore, Miami opted for a two-point try, converting on a run by Jay Ajayi for a 15-0 lead.
The Ravens added a field goal before halftime to make it 15-3.
Dolphins run out the clock on the first half. Miami took a 15-3 lead into halftime.
Miami has had a very similar season to the Ravens since both teams have suffered multiple injuries to very important players throughout the year.
Dolphins go three-and-out on their first second half possession. Derrick Shelby picked up the other half on that sack.
Lamar Miller picks up his 13th carry on the day, which is the magic number so vehicle this year. After losing seven of their opening nine games, the Ravens (4-7) have won two straight for the first time this season.
Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (51) lines up against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. But Baltimore was offside again. The Ravens otherwise struggled mightily in the red zone, and were forced to settle for two field goals.
The rain is definitely starting to impact the game. If you demand the pick-sixes come in consecutive games played by the team for which he plays, he has two weeks to go.
Schaub does come back out.
Meanwhile, it was another close Ravens game. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips batted a Matt Schaub pass that Reshad Jones intercepted.
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The offense finally figured out that the running game was important, and Lamar Miller responded. He passed for just 86 yards on Sunday – completing 9 of 19 passes for one touchdown.
