Preview: Ravens Look to Secure AFC’s Top Seed

The Baltimore Ravens welcome the Miami Dolphins to town on Sunday for the most important game of the season for both teams. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season the Ravens and Dolphins are both fighting for the number one overall seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Ravens currently sit at 12-3 after a statement win over the 49ers on Christmas night. While the Dolphins sit just behind the Ravens at 11-4 after their 22-20 win over the Cowboys last Sunday.

A Ravens win this Sunday will not only secure to AFC’s top seed but also the Ravens first AFC north division win since 2019. With a loss however the Ravens would enter into a tie with the Dolphins and would need a win next Sunday over Pittsburgh and a Dolphins loss to the Bills to clinch the number one seed.

The Ravens continue to deal with lingering injury issues, which is not uncommon for this point in the year. Ravens cornerback Jayln Armour-Davis has already been ruled out with a concussion while linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder) and fellow cornerback Brandon Stephens (ankle) are listed as questionable after not practicing on Thursday or Friday. Guard Kevin Zeitler who left the game last Monday night with a knee/quad injury practiced in full on Friday and is also listed as questionable. The biggest injury news however surrounds safety Kyle Hamilton who continues to deal with an knee sprain. Hamilton left Mondays game and was a limited participant on Thursday, but did not practice on Friday, he is listed a questionable. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) is also listed as questionable. Flowers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was limited on Friday.

The Dolphins have a laundry list of injuries, offensive lineman Lester Cotton (hip), Liam Eichenberg (calf/ankle), and Austin Jackson (oblique) are all listed as questionable. Offensive lineman Robert Jackson (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. Star defensive player Jalen Ramsey (knee) popped up on the injury report on Friday and is listed as questionable while fellow cornerback Xavien Howard (hip/thumb) and safety Jevon Holland (knees) are also listed as questionable. The Dolphins will be without one of their best weapons as wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) has already been ruled out while starting running back Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable after being limited during Fridays practice.

Players to Watch:

Kyle Van Noy

After starting the 2023 season as a free agent, Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has shaped up to be on of the better free agent signings for the Ravens this season. In need of some pass rushing help Van Noy has already amassed seven sacks to go along with 27 total tackles and a forced fumble. Van Noy is a veteran presence for this Ravens defense and knows what it takes to win having won two Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots.

Van Noy is no stranger to the Dolphins having played in the AFC East for five seasons. In 10 career games against the Dolphins Van Noy has totaled 23 tackles and 4.5 sacks, three of which have come in his last three meetings. In a game where getting to the quarterback will be crucial in slowing the Dolphins offense down the Ravens will need a strong day from Van Noy and the rest of the Ravens pass rushers.

Raheem Mostert

Undrafted out of Purdue in 2015 it took some time for running back Raheem Mostert to find his place in the NFL. After 7 teams in two years, including a stop in Baltimore in 2015, Mostert became a force in the 49ers offense as he helped them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. Since then Mostert has quietly continued to be one of the most efficient running backs in the league when healthy. This season Mostert has ran for 1,012 yards fourth most in the NFL while adding 18 touchdowns on the ground good for most in the league. But its not just his ability to run its also his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield in an offense that relies on everyone being a playmaker. Mostert has tallied 175 yards on 25 receptions and adding three touchdowns.

Mostert has played against the Ravens twice in his career once with the 49ers and again last season as a member of the Dolphins. In those those two games Mostert has averaged just over 98 yards a game and adding one touchdown coming in 2019. Mostert has not only had success for the Dolphins throughout the year, but has also played well against the Ravens and will need to be a player to watch along with the plethora of all talent on this Dolphins offense.

Prediction

No game is as important to the Ravens then what they do on Sunday. A win gives them an extra two weeks of rest as next Sunday would be meaningless against the Steelers followed by the bye for being the AFC top seed. All that combined with the focus and determination this team has played with throughout the year shows that claiming the number one seed is just a step toward to ultimate goal of a Super Bowl.

Many thought last weeks game between the Ravens and 49ers would have been a lot closer then what it ended up being, and with an offense coming into Baltimore in the Dolphins that has similar fire power it once again looks like a close contest on paper. The Ravens style defensively wore down the 49ers and I think that same physical style will shock the Dolphins on Sunday. If the Ravens can get to Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa early and make him feel pressure, while also keeping their quarterback Lamar Jackson clean, it will be advantage Ravens. Having just played an elite offense and watching what the Ravens defense did gives me confidence that they can go toe to toe with the best offenses in the league and come out on top. Ravens win and secure the AFC’s number one seed 27-23.

Line: Baltimore -3.5

Over/Under: 46.5

All-Time Record: Tied series 8-8

Last Meeting: 9/18/22 Miami 42-38