Preview of Thursday Night Football's Dolphins @ Ravens
NFL Thursday Night Matchup
Dolphins @ Ravens:
Thursday 10/26 8:25pm EST
Dolphins: The Miami Dolphins are going into Baltimore tonight at 4-2 on the season. They got their bye week in the first week of the season because of Hurricane Irma; when they were suppose to face the Bucs. The Dolphins are rolling into this game; coming off a huge comeback win against the defending NFC Champs, Atlanta Falcons. They are not playing with their starting QB this week however. Jay Cutler took big shots last week, and is out this one with a rib injury. He is expected however to return next week; for the Dolphins game against the Raiders. The Dolphins are starting backup QB Matt Moore, and expect a W in Baltimore.
The Dolphins lack offense this year in a big way. After a huge rushing season from “A-Train” Jay Ajayi last season. This year he only can only rush for 425 yards in 125 carries; 3.5 yards per carry. They can barely run the ball effectively this season. All the stress has been on the 10 million dollar arm of Jay Cutler this season. He has done above average quarterbacking so far. With 995 yards in 6 games; averaging 165 yards per game. While completing 62% of his passes, with 7 TD passes. Dolphin fans can’t be that upset with Cutler because it seems wherever he goes that bad offensive line follows. Ajayi can’t find holes and Cutler can’t find time behind the line. That is Matt Moore problem this week though. Moore in my opinion is a top 3 backup QB. Playing playoff games and coming in when the Dolphins need him whenever their starter like Chad Henne gets injured which happens often in Miami. The Dolphins ousts the Ravens in passing yards per game with 180 compared to their 153. Matt Moore won’t need to outduel Flacco to win this one though.
The backbone of Miami this season has been that defense behind defensive end Cameron Wake; and his 10th in the NFL with 6 sacks this season. They are better than the Ravens in the majority of defensive stats. The Dolphins allow 308 total yards per game as the Ravens allow 352. Since Ajayi can’t run the Dolphins do not allow the team as well. Being 5th in rushing yards allowed during the game with 82. Being a top 5 run defense team could get them the win this week. The Dolphins line is stacked behind Suh and Wake this season. Joe Flacco can expect a lot of pressure from it as well. With being number 6 in allowed points this season; the Ravens might have to much to handle with this Dolphins defense.
For the Dolphins to win this one they don’t need a career day from Matt Moore. However the O-line of the Dolphins needs to actually block to win this one. If they can establish a running game; with the help of their defense the Dolphins will go home with a win.
Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens are on the other side of the hot cold meter going into this matchup. The Ravens are 3-4 this season; and are in the division the Steelers dominate, AFC North. The Ravens are still 2nd in their division; being 2 games behind the Steelers who are 5-2. They lost 2 weeks ago to the rebuilding Chicago Bears; and rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky. That is a game that the Ravens should of won big. They should have not taken a heartbreaking overtime loss. Last week they played the Minnesota Vikings. Whose defense was all over QB Joe Flacco and that running game all day. After back to back losses to stay alive in the AFC North; and the playoff hunt the Ravens need a big win on Thursday night.
The Ravens win on the side of offense. Which is not a compliment since both teams are pretty bad at it. Their former Super Bowl winning QB Joe Flacco is now ranked 31st in passing this season. Nonetheless the Ravens are not playing the rest of the league this week. They are playing the Dolphins; and let’s just say the Dolphins haven't been the best either on offense. The Ravens put up more points, rushing yards, and totals yards per game than the Dolphins. They average 3 more points than the Dolphins with 18. They don’t want to see their kicker Justin Tucker out there; unless it's a game winning goal or an extra point, beside that, majority of the time it isn’t good why he is out there. The Ravens are ranked 22nd in the league; with a 47% chance in scoring when in the redzone. They don’t need to score often to win this one; but they do need to score at least 3 Touchdowns to almost guarantee a win. Against this defense of the Dolphins is not easy. Joe Flacco needs to be better with his throwing; and the Ravens need to run with Alex Collins and Javorius Allen more. They can’t depend on Flacco anymore to throw them to a win.
The power hitting Ravens we are used to are not their anymore. This defense has been the bright spot for the Ravens, but they are not the Ravens of old. The Dolphins have the edge in the defensive battle this week. Something that the Ravens are not used to over the last 20 seasons. The Ravens defense this year struggles against the run; allowing 145 yards per game. If the Dolphins can get the running game against this defense; there is no way the Ravens offense can keep up. The Ravens defense needs to rise up. Which they have against the pass; which they are better at than the Dolphins. Allowing 189 passing yards per game compared to the Dolphins 225. QB play won’t be a huge factor in this; but if this Ravens can force errors to backup QB Matt Moore they have just improved their chances at taking this one.
The Ravens need good play from Joe Flacco to stand a chance in this one. Especially since no one expects their running game to get going. The defense will decide this one for the Ravens though. If they play well the Ravens will, if they don’t just know the Ravens don’t have much of chance. They need to force errors.
Prediction: The Ravens are looking shaky, and the Dolphins are starting to catch fire. In my opinion the Dolphins defense is just on super hot fire right now; and by the end of the season could be the best in the league. Even with their starting QB being out. I think the Dolphins take this one 17-14 in Baltimore.
By
Matthew Doherty
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