The Ravens by no means may work out the Dolphins’ blitz-heavy protection final yr as they suffered a 22-10 upset in Miami. Lamar Jackson will attempt to make Miami pay for its dares this time round whereas a revamped Ravens secondary faces the dynamic receiving duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Right here’s who has the sting in every part of the sport:
Ravens passing sport vs. Dolphins move protection
Lamar Jackson wanted virtually two quarters to get rolling within the Ravens’ 24-9 opening victory over the New York Jets, however as soon as he did, he resembled the quarterback who punished defenses by throwing excessive within the early weeks of final season. Jackson accomplished simply 17 of 30 passes and threw an interception in rubbish time, however he led all quarterbacks in air yards per try in Week 1, and his aggression paid off with a pair of landing passes to Devin Duvernay and a 55-yard rating to Rashod Bateman.
The Ravens had hoped one among their incumbent receivers would step ahead as a working mate for Bateman, and Duvernay did simply that, catching all 4 passes thrown his method. All-Professional tight finish Mark Andrews had a quiet sport by his requirements (5 catches on 7 targets, 52 yards) however stays Jackson’s prime goal. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Seemingly struggled in his debut, catching zero passes on 4 targets and setting the Ravens again with a holding penalty. Jackson’s line did a strong job defending him towards the Jets however suffered one other setback when left sort out Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles tendon within the second quarter. Patrick Mekari, a reliable move blocker, will fill in whereas they await the return of 2019 All-Professional Ronnie Stanley (ankle). The Ravens will face a sterner take a look at than they did towards the Jets.
The Dolphins tormented them with blitzes, actual and feigned, in an upset final season. Jackson took 4 sacks and threw an interception in that loss because the Ravens failed to attain a landing till late within the fourth quarter. Miami modified coaches however retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, so the Ravens can anticipate extra of the identical. The Dolphins ranked second within the league in blitz proportion final season, and so they belief cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Nik Needham to press on the surface. Jackson should beat them with huge performs to attain a unique consequence this time round. The Dolphins, led by Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah upfront, will deliver stress from each angle to attempt to rattle him.
EDGE: Dolphins
Dolphins passing sport vs. Ravens move protection
There aren’t many gamers extra divisive than Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who performed effectively (23 of 33, 270 yards, 1 landing) within the Dolphins’ 20-7 opening win over the New England Patriots. New coach Mike McDaniel appears decided to play to Tagovailoa’s strengths, asking him to attach with large receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on timing routes that may flip into larger performs. He was tenth in air yards per try in Week 1 after rating twenty ninth final season.
Hill, the previous Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star who caught eight passes on 12 targets in his Miami debut after the Dolphins traded for him within the offseason, stays one of the crucial dynamic playmakers in soccer. Waddle caught 104 passes on 140 targets as a rookie in 2021, and although he averaged simply 9.8 yards per catch, he punished the Patriots with a 42-yard landing in Week 1. Tagovailoa additionally likes to focus on Chase Edmonds out of the backfield. Miami could possibly be with out beginning proper sort out Austin Jackson (ankle), and left sort out Terron Armstead (toe) additionally missed apply Wednesday.
The Dolphins will attempt to hold their momentum going towards a Ravens move protection that appeared rejuvenated towards the Jets. The entrance seven dominated, with Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh combining for 11 pressures off the sides and Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce creating relentless push from the inside. Security Marcus Williams celebrated his Ravens debut with a team-high 12 tackles and an interception, whereas Chuck Clark, freed as much as play nearer to the road of scrimmage, made 9 tackles and compelled a fumble.
The workforce’s secondary depth took a success when veteran cornerback Kyle Fuller tore his ACL late within the sport, however the Ravens may fill that gap after which some if former All-Professional Marcus Peters (knee) returns towards Miami. Second-year cornerback Brandon Stephens will even be requested to do extra. No matter who performs, the Ravens’ defensive backs and linebacker Patrick Queen, who performed each down towards the Jets, could have their palms full with Hill and Waddle.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens working sport vs. Dolphins run protection
The Jets went all out to cease the Ravens on the bottom, and the dangerous information for offensive coordinator Greg Roman was that they succeeded. The Ravens, utilizing just lately signed Kenyan Drake as their main ball service, ran for 63 yards on 21 makes an attempt, their second-worst speeding efficiency of the Jackson period. Drake didn't have a lot room to work with as missed assignments and subpar run-blocking performances from a lot of the workforce’s offensive linemen (rookie heart Tyler Linderbaum shined on this space) added as much as a bleak image. Jackson, nonetheless the workforce’s prime working risk in a pinch, carried simply six instances for 17 yards, together with his greatest acquire approaching a scramble quite than a designed run. J.Ok. Dobbins, the workforce’s No. 1 working again when wholesome, has stated he hopes to play towards Miami.
The Dolphins’ aggressive play stifled the Ravens’ run sport final yr, and so they held the Patriots to 78 yards on 22 makes an attempt in Week 1. Former Raven Zach Sieler has grown into the highest inside run defender for a productive entrance seven. With Boyer’s protection crowding the road of scrimmage, this won't be a simple week for the Ravens to get their floor assault on observe.
EDGE: Even
Dolphins working sport vs. Ravens run protection
The Dolphins are a pass-first workforce. Edmonds carried simply 12 instances for 25 yards towards the Patriots, and Tagovailoa isn't a lot of a scrambling risk.
Regardless of robust performances from Pierce, Madubuike and Broderick Washington, the Ravens gave up extra double-digit runs than they might have preferred towards the Jets. Operating backs Breece Corridor and Michael Carter mixed for 83 yards on simply 16 carries. Veterans Josh Bynes and Calais Campbell, each key to the Ravens’ No. 1 run protection in 2021, performed beneath their requirements.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens particular groups vs. Dolphins particular groups
The Ravens completed first in Soccer Outsiders’ special-teams DVOA in 2021, and so they completely outplayed the No. 2 workforce from final yr, the Jets, in Week 1. All-Professional Justin Tucker made his solely field-goal try, and rookie Jordan Stout punted effectively in his debut, placing three of his six kicks contained in the New York 20-yard line.
The Dolphins completed twenty ninth in special-teams DVOA final season, struggling in most areas. Kicker Jason Sanders made each of his field-goal makes an attempt towards the Patriots after hitting on simply 23 of 31 in 2021. Former Raven Raheem Mostert was a harmful kickoff returner early in his profession, so maybe he may give the Dolphins a jolt.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Dolphins intangibles
The Dolphins received eight of their final 9 video games in 2021 and beat the Patriots decisively of their opener, so they are going to come to Baltimore a assured workforce, particularly given their defensive efficiency towards the Ravens final November. It’s too early to know a lot about McDaniel as a coach, however he’s a revered offensive thoughts.
The Ravens in all probability felt some aid once they dealt with the Jets in Week 1 after shedding their final six video games in 2021, however they know the Dolphins will take a look at them extra aggressively in areas the place they faltered down the stretch final yr. Jackson won't wish to reside by means of one other tough sport towards a blitz-happy opponent. The Ravens nonetheless aren’t absolutely wholesome as they look ahead to Peters, Dobbins, Stanley and different reinforcements to bolster their trigger.
EDGE: Dolphins
Prediction
That is the Ravens’ first actual take a look at of 2022, towards a workforce that gave them suits in November. The Dolphins will assault from each angle on the line of scrimmage and dare Jackson to beat them excessive. In the meantime, they’ll rely on Hill and Waddle to run wild towards a revamped Baltimore secondary. This is able to be a better name if the Ravens had all their key gamers, however Jackson will hit on sufficient downfield throws to drag them by means of at dwelling. Ravens 24, Dolphins 20
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