Ravens Clinch One-Seed in Dominant Win Over Dolphins
The Baltimore Ravens not only became AFC North division champions for the first time since 2019 on Sunday, but they became the number one seed in the AFC playoffs for just the second time in team history. Needing a win against the visiting Miami Dolphins to secure the number one seed, however, did not appear like it would be an easy task on paper.
The Dolphins came into Sunday with the second-best record in the AFC behind only the Ravens needing a win themselves to take control of that number one seed heading into the final week of the season. The Ravens appeared to put the league on notice as they overmatched the 49ers last week, but even then, while the Ravens were favored against the Dolphins, everyone was surprised by the final result.
The Ravens looked to be in for a shootout as the Dolphins took their opening drive 75-yards in eight plays with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finding his receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. for the eight-yard touchdown just 4 minutes into the game.
The uncharacteristic let down on the opening drive of the game, didn’t stop deter the Ravens offense however as they went on a 75-yard scoring drive of their own, needing just seven plays to find the end zone. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson found running back Justice Hill wipe open on a wheel route for 20-yards catch and run.
A Dolphins 27-yard field goal on their next drive would again give the Dolphins the lead, but with 6:56 to play in the first half Gus Edwards would find the end zone for the first time scoring from one-yard out. Edwards 13th rushing touchdown of the season would give the Ravens their first lead of the afternoon.
The Ravens were not done scoring, however. After another Dolphins field goal on their next offensive drive. Jackson would find receiver Zay Flowers wide open down the sideline for a 75-yard catch and run on the Ravens first play of their next drive.
The Ravens would again find the end zone late in the first half after a Roquan Smith interception set the Ravens up deep into Dolphins territory. On fourth down from the Dolphins 35-yard line the Ravens would elect to go for it which would end up paying off. Jackson found tight end Isaiah Likely over the middle, with Likely making an impressive one-handed catch before sprinting the rest of the way diving for the pylon to cap off the 35-yard score. The Ravens would grab momentum as they headed into halftime with a 28-13 lead.
What once looked like possibly the game of the year quickly became a game the Dolphins would want to forget. Coming out of halftime Justice Hill took the opening kickoff 61-yards down to the Dolphins 18-yard line. Just three plays later Jackson would find Likely again this time from seven yards out to extend the Ravens lead 35-13.
Following a Dolphins punt on their first drive of the second half the Ravens looked to put away the Dolphins and cruise to the victory. But a Gus Edwards fumble looked like it would give the Dolphins the small opportunity they needed to make a comeback.
However, the Ravens defense would step up once again as Tagovailoa would throw his second interception of the game this time to safety Geno Stone, his seventh interception of the season.
Although the Ravens could not convert the turnover into points, they were able to continue to use some of the clock taking away as many opportunities for the Dolphins as possible.
On the Dolphins next possession following the Tagovailoa interception, Tagovailoa would make up for the mistake. Tagovailoa would help lead the Dolphins down on a long 14-play 78-yard drive that saw Tagovailoa throw his second touchdown, this time to running back De’Von Achane. A failed two-point conversion by the Dolphins would only cut the Ravens led 35-19.
Having gone through what they went through last season when they collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Dolphins, the Ravens looked determined not to let that happen again. Jackson would throw not one, but two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter extending the Ravens lead 49-19, and all but ending the game. Jackson extended the day going 18-for-21, 321 yards, five touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
With many of the starters now out of the game with just over four minutes to play. Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White fumbled on his first play on a botched pitch attempt leading to a recovery bey Ravens rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson.
With Jackson now on the sideline, Ravens backup Tyler Huntley wouldn’t miss a beat as he found tight end Charlie Kolar for the score, his first career touchdown, and giving the Ravens a 56-19 win.
The Ravens are playing like a team that is truly unbeatable right now after defeating two of the best teams in the NFL in back to back weeks in dominating fashion. The defense it causing turnovers while also continue to get pressure and create sacks. The offense, much like it has all season is headlined but expected MVP winner, quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson has continued to show the rest of the NFL over these last to weeks, why he is the best and most dynamic player in the league.
Since the Ravens have clinched the number one seed the AFC playoffs will now go through Baltimore with the Ravens taking on the lowest remaining seed left after the wild card round. The Ravens will be the lone AFC team to receive a bye into the divisional round, but before then the Ravens must face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their second meeting of the season next Saturday. While the Steelers will be fighting for their playoff lives the Ravens will have essentially nothing to play for other than pride, which will give head coach John Harbaugh some decisions to make on who to play and who to rest.
Notable Injuries:
Daryl Worley (neck)- Day-to-Day
Michael Pierce (neck)- Day-to-Day
Marlon Humphrey (calf)- Day-to-Day
Games Notes:
Wide receiver Zay Flowers now holds the Ravens record for most receiving yards in a season by a rookie with 858.
Safety Geno Stone led all Ravens with eight tackles.
56 is the most points ever scored by the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley and Lamar Jackson became the first pair of quarterbacks to have a perfect passer rating (158.3) in the same game since 1940.
Linebacker Roquan Smith recorded his first interception of the season and his ninth of his career.
