Lamar Jackson made a statement in his first game back from a 32-day absence, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins. The two-time NFL MVP, sidelined with a hamstring injury for the past three games, threw four touchdown passes and displayed no signs of rust. Jackson completed 18-of-23 passes for 204 yards, continuing his dominance in South Florida, where he grew up. Notably, three of his 13 career games with four or more touchdown passes have come against the Dolphins, his highest against any team.
Jackson’s return sparked the Ravens’ offense, though he had only five rushing attempts due to injury concerns. His 13-yard scramble on a critical third down helped extend a touchdown drive. Remarkably, Jackson threw three touchdown passes under pressure, the most by any quarterback this season, highlighting his agility and decision-making in the pocket. Tight end Mark Andrews thrived with Jackson back, catching two touchdowns and extending his record for career multiple-touchdown games among tight ends since 2018.
Baltimore’s defense showed a major turnaround, holding the Dolphins to six points while forcing two fumbles and one interception. This marked the team’s third consecutive game allowing 17 points or fewer, tying the longest streak of the season. The improved performance can be attributed to a healthier roster and a schedule that avoided elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. The Ravens’ defensive improvement has been a key factor in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Ravens Positioned for Playoff Push While Dolphins Struggle With Critical Mistakes
With the win, Baltimore improved to 3-5 and is now 1.5 games behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. The team faces a favorable stretch over the next four games against teams with a combined record of 9-22, including the Vikings, Browns, Jets, and Bengals. If the Ravens maintain their form, they have a realistic path to climb the standings and potentially make a playoff push.
Lamar Jackson (NFL)The Miami Dolphins struggled despite outperforming the Ravens in first-half yardage and time of possession. Mistakes such as a false start on fourth down, a lost fumble, and a questionable penalty derailed scoring opportunities. Coach Mike McDaniel and players, including Ollie Gordon II, were visibly frustrated on the sideline. Miami’s 2-7 record reflects ongoing inconsistencies and raises questions about potential roster or coaching changes before returning from their mini-bye.
Tua Tagovailoa Struggles Under Pressure Despite Occasional Sharp Connections With Receivers
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had flashes of effectiveness, especially connecting with Jaylen Waddle and tight end Greg Dulcich. However, he struggled when forced off his first read, completing only 5-of-11 passes for 35 yards on throws taking longer than 2.5 seconds. Tagovailoa finished 25-of-40 for 261 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, highlighting the Dolphins’ inability to stretch the field and convert key opportunities.
A pivotal moment came when a 36-yard gain to Waddle was nullified by a tripping penalty, leading to a missed scoring chance. Miami managed only one more touchdown before failing to score for the remainder of the night. With their next games against the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders in Week 11, the Dolphins face a critical stretch to salvage their season. Meanwhile, the Ravens look poised to capitalize on momentum and improve their playoff positioning.
