Lamar Jackson returns in style as Ravens rout Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — If there had been any doubt, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made certain the soccer world knew he was again.

In his first recreation in 32 days, Jackson threw 4 landing passes in a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday evening. The 2-time NFL Most Worthwhile Participant had missed the previous three video games with a hamstring harm, however he did not present a lot rust in his return.

Jackson accomplished 18 of 23 makes an attempt for 204 yards as he as soon as once more celebrated in South Florida, the place he grew up. Of Jackson’s 13 video games with 4 or extra landing passes, three have come in opposition to the Dolphins — his most in opposition to any group.

In profitable their second recreation in 5 days, the Ravens improved to 3-5 and seem set to go on a run. Baltimore’s subsequent 4 opponents — on the Vikings and Browns and residential in opposition to the Jets and Bengals — are a mixed 9-22 (.290). The Ravens at the moment are 1.5 video games again of the AFC North first-place Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3), who play host to the Indianapolis Colts (7-1) on Sunday.

Listed here are an important issues to know from Thursday evening for each groups:

What to make of the QB efficiency: There was uncertainty about how a lot Jackson would run coming off a hamstring harm. He had solely 5 speeding makes an attempt, however his 13-yard scramble within the third quarter transformed a 3rd down to increase what can be a landing drive. Jackson was elusive within the pocket and threw three TD passes underneath duress, probably the most by a quarterback this season.

Development to look at: The Ravens held a group to 17 factors or fewer in three straight video games, tying the longest streak by any group this season. That is fairly a turnaround for a protection that had been closely criticized after permitting an NFL-worst 35.4 factors per recreation within the first 5 weeks of the season. It may be chalked as much as the unit getting more healthy and never having to face the likes of Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff as they did within the first month of the season. With two pressured fumbles and an interception, the Ravens recorded their most turnovers since they’d three of their final assembly in opposition to the Dolphins in 2023.

Stat to know: Tight finish Mark Andrews actually loved Jackson’s return, catching landing passes of two and 20 yards within the first half. This was Andrews’ twelfth profession recreation with a number of landing catches, probably the most by any tight finish since he entered the league in 2018. Andrews has caught 48 landing passes in Jackson’s 90 begins and has totaled 5 TD receptions in 21 video games when Jackson was sidelined. — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent recreation: at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 9)

Even when this was the primary Dolphins recreation you watched all season, don’t fret — you have basically seen all of them.

The Dolphins outgained Baltimore within the first half, profitable the time-of-possession battle, averaging practically 6 yards per play and holding a Lamar Jackson-led offense to 109 yards — however nonetheless trailed 14-6 at halftime due to a sequence of all-too-characteristic miscues.

There have been those that have been their fault: a false begin on fourth-and-1 that arrange a missed 35-yard subject aim, an incomplete go on fourth-and-2 from deep within the crimson zone, and a misplaced fumble on their very own 18 that arrange Baltimore’s first landing. There was additionally the one which wasn’t their fault — a questionable tripping name on working again Ollie Gordon II that worn out a 36-yard catch.

The frustration on the sideline wasn’t simply palpable — it was filmed in excessive definition. Coach Mike McDaniel and Gordon have been proven mid-outburst within the first half, all whereas the Ravens seemed just like the group destined to show round their sub-.500 begin to the season. Miami enters a 10-day mini-bye earlier than internet hosting the Buffalo Payments in Week 10 and touring to Madrid to play the Washington Commanders in Week 11. With the commerce deadline coming Tuesday and a 2-7 document weighing down any optimism for this season, it is affordable to marvel how totally different this roster — or teaching employees — will look the subsequent time Miami takes the sector.

QB breakdown: One week after carving up the Falcons’ league-leading go protection for 4 touchdowns, Tua Tagovailoa got here all the way down to earth in opposition to Baltimore.

His reference to receiver Jaylen Waddle seemed sharp within the first half, and Tagovailoa confirmed a burgeoning chemistry with tight finish Greg Dulcich. However Miami struggled to stretch the sector exterior of Waddle, and the Ravens largely saved the ball in entrance of them. Tagovailoa received the ball out shortly however struggled when his first learn wasn’t there. On go makes an attempt inside 2.5 seconds of snapping the ball, Tagovailoa accomplished 18-of-25 passes for 209 yards; on makes an attempt that took longer than 2.5 seconds, he accomplished simply 7-of-14 passes for 52 yards and an interception with a -16.8% completion share over expectation.

Greatest gap in recreation plan: The Dolphins ran the ball 37 occasions in final week’s win over the Falcons; clearly, the sport script impacted the playcalling Thursday, however Miami ran the ball 20 occasions in opposition to the Ravens with De’Von Achane dealing with 14 of these makes an attempt. Earlier than the sport received uncontrolled, the Dolphins didn’t set the tone on the line of scrimmage as they did in Week 9, turned the ball over 3 times with out taking it away, and got here away empty-handed in three crimson zone journeys. That is a virtually assured recipe for dropping.

Most stunning efficiency: All of it. Miami turned in an entire effort final week in what gamers and coaches known as top-of-the-line complementary video games underneath McDaniel. They spoke all week about staying constant and never permitting that win to be a one-off. However all three phases fell flat Thursday. Miami did not seem like a group prepared to show the nook; it seemed like a 2-7 group.

Turning level: On second-and-1 early within the second quarter, Tagovailoa discovered Waddle for a 36-yard acquire that appeared to offer Miami the ball on the Ravens’ 7-yard line — however any celebration was minimize brief by a flag within the backfield. Gordon was penalized for tripping Mike Inexperienced, although it appeared that the working again slipped and by chance fell into the Ravens linebacker. The Dolphins punted two performs later, and Gordon was seen irate on the sideline. Miami managed to chop its deficit to 14-6 on its following drive however didn’t convert on fourth down from the Ravens’ 13-yard line simply earlier than the half. The Dolphins seemed lifeless after that and didn’t put factors on the board for the rest of the evening. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Subsequent recreation: vs. Buffalo Payments (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 9)