Week 2 sees the Ravens play host to the Dolphins in a game that’s likely to be influential in the AFC playoff race. Obviously, it’s only Week 2, but these two teams, from top to bottom, look to be in this thing for the long haul.
Last week, the Ravens looked good but far from perfect. They started slowly on offense and let the Jets get closer than they should have gotten. The Dolphins started well at home versus the Patriots, and that game, like Baltimore’s, was never really in doubt.
This game is a rematch of last season’s Week 10 matchup, when the Ravens were completely overwhelmed and lost in Miami, 22-10.
Here are three keys for the Ravens to get their revenge this Sunday.
Keep the top on
Easier said than done, of course, but if the Ravens want to be victorious this week, they must keep the top on their defense and limit big plays to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Eleven of Tua Tagovailoa’s completions in Week 1 went for 10-plus yards. If Baltimore’s secondary can keep a lid on Miami’s aerial attack, that will go a long way in helping them put the Dolphins behind schedule in down and distance.
It sounds like a reach, but Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald coaching against and beating Ohio State’s excellent receiving core last year will give the 1st year play-caller all the more confidence against the dangerous passing threat the Dolphins pose.
Attack the edges
Another way the Ravens can keep the top on their defense is to attack the Dolphins on the edge. Miami right tackle Austin Jackson’s status for Sunday is in jeopardy. Fortunately for Baltimore, that is Tagovailoa’s blind side. Attacking Miami’s offense on the edge will also help stifle their speed out of the backfield in the run game.
Although the Dolphins beat the Patriots fairly comfortably in Week 1, Miami did allow three sacks, and that was with an in-tact offensive line. Even if Jackson can go, it doesn’t seem like he will be at full strength. Even if the Ravens’ rush doesn’t “get home,” it should speed up Tagovailoa’s reads to the point where the likelihood of downfield “shot plays” drastically decreases.
On the offensive side of the ball, the way to neutralize a dynamic pass rusher is to run right at them. Jaelan Phillips is a very good edge defender for Miami (8.5 sacks last year in his rookie season), but he can’t hit Lamar Jackson as much if he has to take on blockers such as Ben Powers or Patrick Ricard in the run game. Then, whether it’s Jackson, Kenyan Drake, or Devin Duvernay, Baltimore has the pieces to really stretch Miami’s defense laterally, which could in turn enable Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely to catch and run over the middle all game long.
Turnovers
In 2021, the Ravens were an abysmal minus-11 in turnover ratio (28th in the league). In addition to injuries, a lack of turnovers was a major cause for Baltimore’s losing record last season.
Against the Jets, the Ravens finished with a plus-1 turnover advantage. Keep that going. Keep putting the pressure on the quarterback and forcing them to make tough throws down the field.
Fifteen NFL teams came out of Week 1 with a positive turnover margin. They went 10-4-1, for a winning percentage of 70 percent. Miami was plus-3 in Week 1, giving the ball away zero times. It’ll be a challenge to get the ball from the Dolphins, but in three home games against the Dolphins, the Harbaugh-led Ravens are plus-6 in the turnover department. That’s good news for the Ravens and a reason to hope for their fans.
Vegas
This Sunday, the Ravens seek to win their first home game since November 28, 2021 (4th game since). Baltimore is sorely wanting for a home Ravens win. They’re favored by 3.5 points and the point total is set at 44.5. Especially considering how the Ravens fared in Miami last season (22-10), this is a very important opportunity for the Ravens to get their fans behind them. Not to say that fans are wavering, but the prospect of losing a 4th-consecutive home game is one they won’t tolerate.
Baltimore looks to get J.K. Dobbins back into the fold, which will give them a huge boost. I see both team scoring in the low-to-mid 20’s, and despite a couple of big plays from the Miami offense, I think Baltimore will control the flow of the game.
Prediction: Ravens 26, Dolphins 20
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.