1. Dolphins method to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson: Final season the Dolphins despatched the home at Jackson with a wide range of blitzes. They’ll probably strain Jackson as a lot as attainable once more, however with Ravens left deal with Ja’Wuan James (Achilles) sidelined the blitzes may not be needed. Dolphins edge rushers Melvin Ingram and Jaelan Phillips may be capable to win matchups and get to Jackson. However you'll be able to wager the blitzes, in all probability primarily from safeties Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, will nonetheless be there.
Final season the Dolphins blitzed on 39.6% of downs, which was second within the NFL behind Tampa Bay’s 40.8%, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference. Final Sunday the Dolphins blitzed 27.3% of the time, tied for ninth within the league. By the best way, Jackson largely stayed within the pocket final Sunday, totaling 17 yards on six carries whereas making an attempt 30 passes (finishing 17 for 213 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and a 98.3 passer ranking).
2. Tua Tagovailoa shortly getting the ball within the arms of his playmakers: The Dolphins didn’t ask their third-year quarterback to throw the deep ball final Sunday in opposition to New England and that development ought to proceed all season. Tagovailoa obtained the ball within the arms of his playmakers shortly, which performs to his accuracy and helps with cross safety.
Large receiver Tyreek Hill (eight receptions, 94 yards) had six receptions inside 10 yards of the road of scrimmage and two between 20 and 25 yards of the road of scrimmage. Large receiver Jaylen Waddle (4 receptions, 69 yards, one landing) had two receptions inside 10 yards of the road of scrimmage and two inside 15 yards, one being an 11-yard reception that he become a 42-yard landing.
3. Ravens will goal cornerback Nik Needham (or the cornerback reverse All Professional Xavien Howard): Final Sunday Needham, who began for the injured Byron Jones, was focused 5 occasions and the Patriots accomplished 4 passes for 79 yards, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference. The typical depth of the targets was 22.4 yards, which means the Patriots thought Needham was weak deep.
Conversely, Howard was focused twice and didn’t permit a completion. Ravens vast receivers Devin Duvernay (4 receptions, 54 yards, two touchdowns) and Rashod Bateman (two receptions, 59 yards together with 55-yard landing reception) had success final Sunday in opposition to the New York Jets. The Dolphins will use strain up entrance to cut back protection time on the again finish. However the Ravens will assault Needham, and others, within the passing sport as a result of groups pay the worth after they go at Howard.
4. Can the Dolphins enhance their offensive line play? That is essential on just a few ranges and well being, for now, is the most important key. Left deal with Terron Armstead (toe), who has missed a median of 5.5 video games per season on account of damage in the course of the previous six seasons, and proper deal with Austin Jackson (ankle) are damage considerations. That’s large. Past that, cross safety and the working sport are considerations. The Dolphins should preserve Tagovailoa upright or they danger his generally poor decision-making, which surfaced final Sunday and thankfully didn’t flip into fumbles or interceptions.
The run sport (23 carries, 65 yards final Sunday) wants holes to run by, and that begins with the offensive line. Heart Connor Williams, Armstead and left guard Robert Hunt graded effectively, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. However as Armstead mentioned, communication and identification have been points early. And as coach Mike McDaniel mentioned, if solely three of the 5 linemen execute their assignments issues will floor. Stunts have been clearly a problem. Accidents have been additionally an element. The Ravens can have linebackers Patrick Queen (1/2 a sack, three pressures) and Justin Houston (1.0 sack, two pressures) able to assault within the passing sport. And don’t overlook about lineman Calais Campbell (4 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 quarterback hits). The Dolphins’ offensive line should be higher.
5. Can Dolphins win on the street? The Dolphins are 0-4 at M&T Financial institution Stadium. On prime of that, three of the primary 5 video games are on the street with video games at Cincinnati (Thursday, Sept. 29) and on the New York Jets (Oct. 9) lurking. The one different dwelling sport among the many first 5 is in opposition to Buffalo (Sept. 25), a Tremendous Bowl favourite that has overwhelmed the Dolphins seven consecutive occasions.
So it’d be good if the Dolphins, who have been 3-5 on the street final season, might win certainly one of these street video games. The most certainly street victory is the Jets, however the Ravens sport is winnable for the Dolphins.
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