The Ravens by no means might determine the Dolphins’ blitz-heavy protection final 12 months as they suffered a 22-10 upset in Miami. Lamar Jackson will attempt to make Miami pay for its dares this time round whereas a revamped Ravens secondary faces the dynamic receiving duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Here’s who has the sting in every section of the sport:
Ravens passing recreation vs. Dolphins go protection
Lamar Jackson wanted virtually two quarters to get rolling within the Ravens’ 24-9 opening victory over the New York Jets, however as soon as he did, he resembled the quarterback who punished defenses by throwing excessive within the early weeks of final season. Jackson accomplished simply 17 of 30 passes and threw an interception in rubbish time, however he led all quarterbacks in air yards per try in Week 1, and his aggression paid off with a pair of landing passes to Devin Duvernay and a 55-yard rating to Rashod Bateman.
The Ravens had hoped certainly one of their incumbent receivers would step ahead as a operating mate for Bateman, and Duvernay did simply that, catching all 4 passes thrown his method. All-Pro tight finish Mark Andrews had a quiet recreation by his requirements (5 catches on 7 targets, 52 yards) however stays Jackson’s prime goal. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Likely struggled in his debut, catching zero passes on 4 targets and setting the Ravens again with a holding penalty. Jackson’s line did a stable job defending him in opposition to the Jets however suffered one other setback when left sort out Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles tendon within the second quarter. Patrick Mekari, a reliable go blocker, will fill in whereas they await the return of 2019 All-Pro Ronnie Stanley (ankle). The Ravens will face a sterner check than they did in opposition to the Jets.
The Dolphins tormented them with blitzes, actual and feigned, in an upset final season. Jackson took 4 sacks and threw an interception in that loss because the Ravens failed to attain a landing till late within the fourth quarter. Miami modified coaches however retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, so the Ravens can anticipate extra of the identical. The Dolphins ranked second within the league in blitz share final season, and so they belief cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Nik Needham to press on the surface. Jackson must beat them with huge performs to realize a unique consequence this time round. The Dolphins, led by Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah upfront, will convey stress from each angle to attempt to rattle him.
EDGE: Dolphins
Dolphins passing recreation vs. Ravens go protection
There aren’t many gamers extra divisive than Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who performed effectively (23 of 33, 270 yards, 1 landing) within the Dolphins’ 20-7 opening win over the New England Patriots. New coach Mike McDaniel appears decided to play to Tagovailoa’s strengths, asking him to attach with large receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on timing routes that may flip into greater performs. He was tenth in air yards per try in Week 1 after rating twenty ninth final season.
Hill, the previous Kansas City Chiefs star who caught eight passes on 12 targets in his Miami debut after the Dolphins traded for him within the offseason, stays one of the vital dynamic playmakers in soccer. Waddle caught 104 passes on 140 targets as a rookie in 2021, and although he averaged simply 9.8 yards per catch, he punished the Patriots with a 42-yard landing in Week 1. Tagovailoa additionally likes to focus on Chase Edmonds out of the backfield. Miami shall be with out beginning proper sort out Austin Jackson (ankle), and left sort out Terron Armstead (toe) additionally missed apply Wednesday.
The Dolphins will attempt to preserve their momentum going in opposition to a Ravens go protection that appeared rejuvenated in opposition to the Jets. The entrance seven dominated, with Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh combining for 11 pressures off the sides and Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce creating relentless push from the inside. Safety Marcus Williams celebrated his Ravens debut with a team-high 12 tackles and an interception, whereas Chuck Clark, freed as much as play nearer to the road of scrimmage, made 9 tackles and compelled a fumble.
The staff’s secondary depth took a success when veteran cornerback Kyle Fuller tore his ACL late within the recreation, however the Ravens might fill that gap after which some if former All-Pro Marcus Peters (knee) returns in opposition to Miami. They are dealing with different questions at cornerback after Brandon Stephens (quad) missed apply Thursday and Friday and Marlon Humphrey (groin) was absent Friday. Regardless of who performs, the Ravens’ defensive backs and linebacker Patrick Queen, who performed each down in opposition to the Jets, could have their arms full with Hill and Waddle.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens operating recreation vs. Dolphins run protection
The Jets went all out to cease the Ravens on the bottom, and the dangerous information for offensive coordinator Greg Roman was that they succeeded. The Ravens, utilizing just lately signed Kenyan Drake as their major ball service, ran for 63 yards on 21 makes an attempt, their second-worst speeding efficiency of the Jackson period. Drake didn’t have a lot room to work with as missed assignments and subpar run-blocking performances from a lot of the staff’s offensive linemen (rookie heart Tyler Linderbaum shined on this space) added as much as a bleak image. Jackson, nonetheless the staff’s prime operating menace in a pinch, carried simply six instances for 17 yards, along with his largest achieve approaching a scramble fairly than a designed run. J.Okay. Dobbins, the staff’s No. 1 operating again when wholesome, has mentioned he hopes to play in opposition to Miami.
The Dolphins’ aggressive play stifled the Ravens’ run recreation final 12 months, and so they held the Patriots to 78 yards on 22 makes an attempt in Week 1. Former Raven Zach Sieler has grown into the highest inside run defender for a productive entrance seven. With Boyer’s protection crowding the road of scrimmage, this won’t be a simple week for the Ravens to get their floor assault on monitor.
EDGE: Even
Dolphins operating recreation vs. Ravens run protection
The Dolphins are a pass-first staff. Edmonds carried simply 12 instances for 25 yards in opposition to the Patriots, and Tagovailoa is just not a lot of a scrambling menace.
Despite robust performances from Pierce, Madubuike and Broderick Washington, the Ravens gave up extra double-digit runs than they’d have appreciated in opposition to the Jets. Running backs Breece Hall and Michael Carter mixed for 83 yards on simply 16 carries. Veterans Josh Bynes and Calais Campbell, each key to the Ravens’ No. 1 run protection in 2021, performed beneath their requirements.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens particular groups vs. Dolphins particular groups
The Ravens completed first in Football Outsiders’ special-teams DVOA in 2021, and so they completely outplayed the No. 2 staff from final 12 months, the Jets, in Week 1. All-Pro Justin Tucker made his solely field-goal try, and rookie Jordan Stout punted properly in his debut, placing three of his six kicks contained in the New York 20-yard line.
The Dolphins completed twenty ninth in special-teams DVOA final season, struggling in most areas. Kicker Jason Sanders made each of his field-goal makes an attempt in opposition to the Patriots after hitting on simply 23 of 31 in 2021. Former Raven Raheem Mostert was a harmful kickoff returner early in his profession, so maybe he can provide the Dolphins a jolt.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Dolphins intangibles
The Dolphins gained eight of their final 9 video games in 2021 and beat the Patriots decisively of their opener, so they may come to Baltimore a assured staff, particularly given their defensive efficiency in opposition to the Ravens final November. It’s too early to know a lot about McDaniel as a coach, however he’s a revered offensive thoughts.
The Ravens most likely felt some reduction once they dealt with the Jets in Week 1 after dropping their final six video games in 2021, however they know the Dolphins will check them extra aggressively in areas the place they faltered down the stretch final 12 months. Jackson won’t need to reside by means of one other tough recreation in opposition to a blitz-happy opponent. The Ravens nonetheless aren’t absolutely wholesome as they anticipate Peters, Dobbins, Stanley and different reinforcements to bolster their trigger.
EDGE: Dolphins
Prediction
This is the Ravens’ first actual check of 2022, in opposition to a staff that gave them suits in November. The Dolphins will assault from each angle on the line of scrimmage and dare Jackson to beat them excessive. Meanwhile, they’ll rely on Hill and Waddle to run wild in opposition to a revamped Baltimore secondary. This can be a neater name if the Ravens had all their key gamers, however Jackson will hit on sufficient downfield throws to tug them by means of at residence. Ravens 24, Dolphins 20
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Source: www.bostonherald.com