Dolphins Diary Week 10: Deeeeeeefense
After nearly two months without a win, the Miami Dolphins have won two games in five days. While their season is hardly salvaged, the two victories have certainly helped the outlook for the future. After starting the season with a win over the Patriots, the Dolphins lost seven straight games. Most of the losses were ugly as the draft pick they sent to Philadephia to trade back up to six for Jaylen Waddle was looking like a top-five pick. However, in the past two games, the Dolphins defense has returned to the play that helped them win ten games last season. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa played well after coming into the game in the second half.
The game did not start well for the Dolphins as the Ravens drove down the field with ease on the first drive but had to settle for a 46-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. The drive was short-circuited by an offensive penalty that stifled the Ravens' momentum. After the Dolphins' first drive stalled, the Ravens again drove down the field, but Tucker missed from 48 yards, changing the momentum and feeling at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins would tie the game in the middle of the second quarter with a 31-yard field goal by Jason Sanders. Just before halftime, Brissett connected with Isaiah Ford on a 52-yard pass that set Sanders up for a 22-yard field goal.
The Dolphins had a 6-3 halftime lead. However, their inability to finish the drive was an issue as they stalled twice in the red zone. In the third quarter, the Dolphins' defense continued to frustrate Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. However, Jacoby Brissett hurt his knee, forcing Brian Flores to bring in Tua Tagovailoa, who had been unable to start the last two games with a fractured middle finger. As the third quarter ended, Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle on a 35-yard pass that helped get Miami back into the red zone. The Dolphins got down to the one thanks to a pass interference penalty but could not get in the end zone unless you count Robert Hunt's tumble-salt, which was actually a penalty. The Dolphins' offensive line committed four penalties near the goal line as the Dolphins settled for a field goal.
The Dolphins' defense which all game had been keeping the Ravens off the scoreboard, made the big play and found the end zone, as Xavien Howard scooped up a fumble and returned the ball 49 yards for a touchdown. The Dolphins missed the two-point try but had a 15-3 lead as the Ravens faced desperation.
After a pair of punts, Miami had the Ravens pinned to their own one, with 7:49 left in the game. The Dolphins would get called for a couple of roughing-the-quarterback penalties, one from Jevon Holland that was beyond questionable. The Ravens would take advantage and score a touchdown as Mark Andrews caught a pass in the end zone from Lamar Jackson. The Dolphins now needed to answer, and they did with a perfect drive that took time off the clock, forced the Ravens to use their timeouts, and ended with a Tua touchdown from the one.
The Dolphins would end the game with an interception as Justin Coleman picked off Lamar Jackson in the end zone. The Dolphins 22-10 win was impressive and fun. The Dolphins were a substantial underdog at home, with the line rising to nine and a half at kickoff. After underperforming for seven weeks, the Dolphins' defense was outstanding, stealing a win from a 6-2 Ravens team to improve to 3-7, as the Dolphins try to salvage what is left from a disappointing season.
Oh, and NFL, come on, how can you take that touchdown from Robert Hunt?