Ravens now have inside observe to AFC North title after ‘TNF’ demolition of Dolphins
What started as a contest between a pair of two-win groups discovering their footing changed into a 28-6 Baltimore Ravens blowout over the Miami Dolphins.
After lacking the final three video games with a hamstring damage, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson appeared like his previous self, finishing 78% of his passes and throwing 4 touchdowns. His return helped unlock the crew’s trusted two-tight-end assault, as each Mark Andrews and Isaiah Seemingly delivered their finest video games of the season.
In the meantime, the protection made life troublesome for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, forcing three turnovers and stopping them from scoring in the long run zone. With a 14-6 second-half lead, the Ravens handed over the ball to operating again Derrick Henry, who rushed for 119 yards — his highest yards-per-carry since Week 1.
That is the Ravens crew we anticipated to see all season, and though they nonetheless sit in third place within the AFC North, they’ve a transparent path to their third consecutive division title.
Why the Ravens ought to nonetheless be thought of AFC North favorites
Though a gradual begin was anticipated with early-season matchups towards the Buffalo Payments, Detroit Lions and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, few might have predicted how badly issues would go for the Ravens. The indicators of hassle have been evident from the start after they blew a 13-point fourth-quarter result in the Payments within the opener, then allowed 38 factors in a Week 3 loss to the Lions. A Week 4 blowout at Arrowhead noticed Jackson undergo an damage, and backup Cooper Rush proved overmatched within the following two video games, managing solely 13 factors in losses to the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.
The Ravens entered their bye week at 1-5 and in maybe their most difficult place of the Harbaugh/Jackson period, however the week off turned out to be precisely what they wanted. Though Jackson wasn’t able to return of their Week 8 matchup towards the Chicago Bears, the Ravens’ battered protection acquired a much-needed increase with the returns of linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. In the meantime, fullback Patrick Ricard helped open the best way for 2 Henry speeding touchdowns in his first sport of the season. The bye additionally allowed injured stars like security Kyle Hamilton and sort out Ronnie Stanley, who each missed the Week 5 meltdown towards the Texans, to relaxation and get better. It’s no coincidence that Thursday evening was each the Ravens’ healthiest sport of the season and their most full.
Whereas skeptics might argue that victories over common Bears and dysfunctional Dolphins don’t show the Ravens’ resurgence, their upcoming schedule presents few obstacles. Every of their subsequent 4 opponents has a shedding document, suggesting they may simply be 7-5 earlier than a essential Week 14 showdown with the first-place Steelers. And whereas the Ravens appear to be bettering, their AFC North rivals are beginning to falter.
The 4-3 Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed a complete of 68 factors in consecutive losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Inexperienced Bay Packers, primarily as a consequence of a secondary that has surrendered essentially the most passing yards within the NFL. Regardless of their robust protection, the Browns’ ineffective offense makes them a non-factor. Though QB Joe Flacco has energized the Bengals’ passing sport, their 39-38 loss to the New York Jets in Week 8 confirmed that no quarterback can overcome their league-worst protection.
