Dolphins Stumble at Home in Disastrous Loss to Ravens
The Miami Dolphins faced a disheartening defeat on national television as they succumbed to the Baltimore Ravens, 28-6, at Hard Rock Stadium. This latest setback dropped Miami’s record to 2-7, marking a season plagued by self-inflicted wounds and missed opportunities.
First Half: A Series of Missed Chances
The Dolphins began the game with promise, showcasing a productive offense on their initial drive. However, a questionable call on third-and-six resulted in a mere field goal, giving Miami an early 3-0 lead after a five-play, 26-yard drive.
The defense held strong initially, forcing a Baltimore punt. Yet, disaster struck when Malik Washington fumbled on third down, granting the Ravens prime field position inside the Dolphins’ 10-yard line. Lamar Jackson capitalized with a touchdown pass to Mark Andrews, putting Baltimore ahead 7-3.
Miami’s offense seemed poised to respond, driving deep into Ravens territory, but another setback ensued. A false start penalty on right tackle Larry Borom on fourth-and-one forced a field goal attempt, which Riley Patterson ultimately missed. The Dolphins’ 10-play, 57-yard drive ended without points, marking a critical turning point.
As the Ravens extended their lead with another touchdown on a seven-play, 75-yard drive, Miami found itself in a precarious position. A deep completion to Jaylen Waddle was nullified by an erroneous tripping call, and Tanner Conner’s lapse resulted in an incompletion on what would have been a critical conversion.
Although Miami’s defense stymied the Ravens again, a subsequent drive yielded only a field goal, bringing the score to 14-6. Their failure to capitalize on opportunities weighed heavily, as the Dolphins trailed 14-3 at halftime.
Second Half: Ravens Dominate
Coming out of halftime, the Ravens executed a methodical drive that culminated in Jackson’s third touchdown pass, this time to Charlie Kolar, boosting Baltimore’s lead to 21-6. The Dolphins quickly went three-and-out, handing the Ravens excellent field position.
In just four plays, Baltimore added another touchdown, pushing the game out of reach at 28-6. The Dolphins’ offense sputtered in the second half, unable to muster any response, with Malik Washington fumbling away their last scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter.
Offensive Struggles
Despite nearly 200 yards of offense in the first half and an impressive average of 6.8 yards per play, Miami’s inability to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns proved fatal. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished the night with 25 completions on 40 attempts for 261 yards, but he was unable to find the end zone, throwing one interception.
While the running game initially thrived, with rookie Devon Achane gaining 67 yards before Ollie Gordon II exited with an ankle injury, the Dolphins’ offense failed to sustain momentum. Jaylen Waddle had a solid performance with six receptions for 82 yards, and tight end Greg Dulcich emerged as a bright spot, contributing five catches for 49 yards in his second game since being called up from the practice squad.
Defensive Performance
Miami’s defense displayed resilience in the early stages, particularly in limiting Baltimore’s scoring opportunities. However, as the game progressed, they struggled to contain Jackson, who completed 18 of 24 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns. While the Dolphins stacked the box to thwart the Ravens’ running game, they became vulnerable to Jackson’s play-action passes.
Derrick Henry was held to 119 yards on 19 carries, but the defensive unit ultimately allowed 338 total yards and averaged six yards per play against them. Despite the struggles, Miami’s defense was the less problematic unit on a night filled with offensive blunders.
The Dolphins now face the challenge of regrouping as they prepare for their next outing, hoping to overcome the mistakes that have defined this tumultuous season.
