Right here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (1-0) and Baltimore Ravens (1-0) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 2 sport at M&T Financial institution Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: The debut of the Mike McDaniel speeding assault and the wide-zone blocking scheme in Miami left a lot to be desired in Week 1. The Dolphins produced simply 65 speeding yards on 23 makes an attempt for a 2.8 common.
Chase Edmonds had 25 yards on 12 carries, though he was lively within the passing sport. McDaniel mentioned he needed to get Raheem Mostert (5 carries, 16 yards) extra touches. Large receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson every had one speeding play designed for them, which retains the protection sincere.
The Ravens had the No. 1 run protection final yr, holding opponents to 84.4 yards per sport on the bottom. Regardless of the six-game shedding streak to cap 2021, they held opponents to 100 speeding yards or fewer of their final 9 video games. Baltimore introduced again large nostril sort out Michael Pierce and nonetheless has defensive finish Calais Campbell and second-year linebacker Patrick Queen. Nonetheless, the New York Jets had been capable of finding operating room within the opener, going for a 4.9 yards-per-carry common (83 yards on 17 makes an attempt), however that’s in all probability not consultant of what this run protection really is. Edge: Ravens
When the Ravens run: Baltimore has been a top-3 speeding assault in every of the 4 seasons quarterback Lamar Jackson has been there. It’s no shock because the Pompano Seaside native and Boynton Seaside Excessive grad is arguably the NFL’s most electrical, dynamic expertise.
He places the protection in a number of stress, both on the read-option or scrambling from the pocket. Operating again J.Ok. Dobbins was hopeful he’d be prepared for the beginning of the season after an ACL tear within the 2021 preseason, however he didn't play within the opener. Ex-Dolphins tailback Kenyan Drake figures to get a lot of the work once more if Dobbins can’t go.
Miami appeared to determine one thing out in its upset of Baltimore final yr, attacking Jackson with the zero blitz, bringing its safeties and daring Jackson to win with the move. The Dolphins additionally picked up their run protection all through the opener towards New England. After permitting 42 speeding yards within the first quarter, they surrendered simply 36 on the bottom the remainder of the best way. Anticipate safeties Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones and linebacker Jerome Baker, shifting inside and outside, to be lively within the field. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins move: Miami may very well be getting ready for a situation the place each beginning tackles in Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson are out on Sunday. Neither practiced on Wednesday because the week of preparation acquired began. That’s a nasty signal for a Dolphins offensive line that already struggled to guard quarterback Tua Tagovailoa towards the Patriots in Week 1.
Tagovailoa should make fast selections to deal with the Ravens move rush. The best manner is to get the ball in house to Hill or Waddle beneath in house and allow them to go for yards after catch. Hill was focused 12 instances for eight receptions and 94 yards whereas Waddle acquired 5 targets for 4 receptions, the 42-yard landing on fourth down earlier than halftime one in all them. McDaniel mentioned he needs to get each Waddle and tight finish Mike Gesicki (one reception on one goal for 1 yard) extra concerned.
The Ravens might be with out cornerback Kyle Fuller within the secondary, however have Marlon Humphrey holding down one aspect and Marcus Williams at free security. Baltimore can carry the move rush between Campbell, Queen, Odafe Oweh, Justin Madubuike and Justin Houston. Edge: Ravens
When the Ravens move: If the Dolphins stay in keeping with their sport plan that was efficient towards Jackson final yr, a lot of the protection might be dependent solely on the cornerbacks with how closely Miami blitzes Jackson, together with with the safeties. Anticipate Jones and Holland to be within the field loads and coming after Jackson.
The distinction from final yr, although, is Miami doesn’t have Byron Jones paying reverse Xavien Howard. Jones is out for no less than the primary 4 video games on injured reserve. Nik Needham should step up once more, and it was good to see undrafted rookie Kader Kohou had an enormous debut towards the Patriots. The second isn’t too large for him.
Jackson was 17 of 30 for 213 yards and three touchdowns, together with a 55-yarder to receiver Rashod Bateman, within the opening win on the Jets. The opposite two touchdowns went to Devin Duvernay. He discovered his high goal, tight finish Mark Andrews, 5 instances on seven targets for 52 yards. Edge: Dolphins
Particular groups: Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is the NFL’s all-time chief in field-goal share (91.1 %). He linked on one area aim within the opener after hitting 35 of 37 in 2021. Punter Jordan Stout averaged 48.5 yards on six punts towards the Jets with three contained in the 20. Duvernay handles returns for Baltimore.
The Dolphins acquired an ideal Miami debut from punter Thomas Morstead, and gunners Justin Bethel and Keion Crossen placed on a clinic with him. Kicker Jason Sanders made his first two field-goal makes an attempt of the season after a subpar 2021. Tucker for Baltimore may very well be the X-factor, although. Edge: Ravens
Intangibles: M&T Financial institution Stadium is a constructing that has offered the Dolphins with the worst of fortunes. Miami hasn’t received in Baltimore since 1997, a four-game shedding streak with the previous two coming by a mixed 72 factors. And it’ll be McDaniel’s first street sport as a head coach. Edge: Ravens
PREDICTION: Ravens 23, Dolphins 20
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