NFL Game of the Week: Dolphins vs. Ravens
Coming into the NFL season, the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens both had a lot of questions surrounding them. The major question that the media had about both teams was could their quarterbacks get the job done.
There’s no question that both Tua Tagovailoa and Lamar Jackson have the talent. But neither have been able to lead their teams to deep playoff runs in their short careers.
Miami and Baltimore are set to square off this Sunday in one of the week’s most anticipated matchups. Both teams are coming off of two-score wins and are looking to get a big win to prove themselves.
The Dolphins beat the Patriots last Sunday 20-7 in a game where Tagovailoa had his ups and downs. He had some throws that were off target but also had a few passes where he threaded the needle including a touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle to end the first half.
Tagovailoa is going to have to be more accurate this Sunday since he’ll be facing a better secondary, especially if Marcus Peters returns to the Ravens lineup. His receivers also saved him on some poorly thrown passes against the Patriots and he can’t rely on them to do that every game.
Miami’s defense will also need another big game. They forced three turnovers against the Patriots, including a fumble returned for a touchdown. Miami will need to make Jackson make mistakes in a game that will most likely be very close.
Baltimore was able to come out of New Jersey with a win last week by beating the Jets 24-9.
Jackson didn’t look his best, but he was still able to throw three touchdowns. The two touchdowns to Devin Duvernay were placed well and so was the 55-yard bomb to Rashod Bateman.
Jackson will have to be more accurate as his completion percentage was just above 50%. This game will be more competitive than last week’s and that low of a completion percentage won’t get the job done.
Just like Miami’s defense, Baltimore’s had a big first game. New York’s only touchdown came in the last minute of the game, and they had a lot of trouble converting on third down.
But how Baltimore has been successful in the past is with their run game. Jackson gets a lot of criticism for being a running quarterback but when he’s in the open field is when he is most effective.
Jackson and the Ravens running backs were held to 63 rushing yards against the Jets. When they’re able to run the ball, defenses must be much sharper and be prepared for the explosiveness of Jackson.
If JK Dobbins can return, he’ll be able to increase the versatility of this offense. But Jackson will have to be more of a factor in the run game to give Baltimore the edge.
Both quarterbacks are going to have to be more consistent this game if they want to get the win. Jackson has been more accurate over his career than Tagovailoa and has more experience in big games like this. This should give him the edge in what will be a heated match up at M&T Bank Stadium.
Prediction: Ravens, 34-24
Jayson O’Connell is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
