Instant takeaways from the Miami Dolphins’ 56-19 loss to Ravens
BALTIMORE — This time, there was no comeback.
This time, there’s not much of a debate over the MVP.
And there is no debate over the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Lamar Jackson enjoyed a perfect day, completing 18-of-21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns, to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 56-19 blowout of the Dolphins on Sunday. Two scoring passes went to Isaiah Likely. Fans showered Jackson with “MVP! MVP!” chants throughout the afternoon.
It was the most points the Dolphins have given up since a 56-26 loss in Buffalo on Jan. 3, 2021. It also was the most points scored at M&T Bank Stadium.
Making matters much worse for the Dolphins: Linebacker Bradley Chubb, who has been playing at a Pro Bowl level, left the game on a cart in the fourth quarter after injuring a knee. Chubb appeared to go down untouched while trying to change direction to make a tackle. The entire team surrounded Chubb as he was loaded onto the cart.
If Chubb is out any length of time, it would cost the Dolphins both of their bookend pass rushers. Jaelan Phillips already is on injured reserve with an Achilles injury.
The Ravens improved to 13-3 and made sure there was no repeat of Miami’s historic comeback to stun the Ravens 42-38 last season. The Dolphins dropped to 11-5 with only the regular-season finale at home against Buffalo, next Saturday or Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa, also an MVP candidate, finished 22-of-38 for 237 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The loss cost the Dolphins a chance to clinch their first AFC East title since 2008. They also could have assured themselves of a top-two seed for the playoffs with a win.
Instead, the Dolphins must beat Buffalo to win the division. A loss would drop them into the No. 6 seed in the AFC.
Here are takeaways from the loss:
Mixed bag for Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill has been in the debate all year for Dolphins MVP, along with, of course, Tagovailoa. Hill also is pulling in big bucks.
So when Tyreek made another of his over-shoulder-adjustments to haul in a 25-yard pass from Tagovailoa, it was easy to say that’s why he’s paid the way he is. The catch came on a fourth-and-5 gamble, no less. And it led to points, albeit a field goal.
But …
Hill had a chance to put Miami up 14-7 in the first quarter when he was wide open over the middle of the end zone. Tagovailoa’s pass was imminently catchable.
Hill bobbled it, and before he could gain control of the ball, he’d run out of real estate and was out of the end zone. Without an injured Jaylen Waddle, that one stung.
Tua can’t afford to get impatient
Waddle and Tagovailoa hooked up for that dramatic, last-minute winning touchdown against the Ravens last year. Tagovailoa was missing him this time.
In the third quarter, after Zach Sieler forced a fumble that Jevon Holland recovered on the Miami 46, Tagovailoa overthrew to Hill, resulting in an interception by Geno Stone.
The Dolphins appeared to be rushing to squeeze in a play before the two-minute warning of the first half when Tagovailoa also was intercepted, this time by linebacker Roquan Smith, setting up a Ravens TD.
Tagovailoa is going to win the Dolphins’ MVP award. It’s hard to find fault with nearly all he has accomplished this season. But he’d help himself by not giving into temptation and forcing the ball at times.
Not many options as secondary is depleted
After Zay Flowers frolicked 75 yards with a touchdown pass from Jackson for a 21-13 lead, it was easy to say cornerback Eli Apple needed to be replaced.
The problem was that Xavien Howard left the game early with a foot injury and did not return.
The problem is that Cam Smith, the Dolphins’ top draft pick, has barely gotten on the field.
That doesn’t leave many options.
Fans might be quick to say Smith should be in there, but coaches — who see players every day in practice, it must be said — don’t believe Smith is ready to take snaps on defense. They’d rather go with the veteran Apple.
Smith is still a rookie, but if he isn’t contributing beyond special teams next season, that’s an issue.
One positive for Dolphins: a healthy De’Von Achane
Outside of a 73-yard rushing day against Washington, we hadn’t seen running back De’Von Achane flash the early season form he showed as a dynamic rookie.
But with Raheem Mostert inactive, the Dolphins turned to Achane, who looked like the Achane of old (or should that be young?). It’s clear he is shaking off the injuries that landed him on injured reserve.
Achane, taking advantage of a sealing block by tight end Durham Smythe, had a 45-yard run in the first quarter to set up a 27-yard field goal by Jason Sanders for a 10-7 lead.
More: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens smash Miami Dolphins in battle for AFC top seed | Recap
It was interesting that the Dolphins were leaning so heavily on Achane as the featured back. Jeff Wilson, remember, had those runs that sealed the victory over Dallas last week.
So while the result wasn’t what the Dolphins had hoped, one positive takeaway is what a healthy Achane can offer, especially when Mostert is back.
What Achane did offer Sunday: his fourth 100-yard rushing performance this season, plus a touchdown reception.
This and that …
The Ravens opened last year’s meeting with 103-yard kickoff return for TD. They opened the second half this time with 78-yard return to the Miami 18. Three plays later, Isaiah Likely was in the end zone with a 7-yard touchdown pass, his second scoring reception of the day. The Ravens were up 35-13, making it clear that they weren’t about to let Miami off the hook the way they did last year. … Mike McDaniel is 1-for-6 on challenges this season, but you can’t blame him for the lost challenge this time. Jackson hit Odell Beckham with a 33-yard pass to the Dolphins’ 1, but it was unclear if Beckham got both feet in before heading out of bounds. Not only was it a bang-bang play, but it happened clear across the field from where McDaniel was. The Ravens, naturally, rushed to the line of scrimmage to avoid a closer look. So McDaniel — who has a decent arm — flung the red flag far enough to get the officials’ attention just before the snap. Unfortunately for him, replays confirmed it was a catch. … If you’re making a list of unsung heroes on the Dolphins, don’t overlook Smythe, who had a strong day receiving against Dallas and another against the Ravens. That’s in addition to his under-the-radar contributions as a blocker.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
