History does not bode well for Dolphins against Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens have had Miami’s number since 2008. The Dolphins are 1-6 against the Ravens, including an ugly 27-9 loss in the playoffs in 2009.
It’s been a long nine years for Miami when it comes to matchups with Baltimore. Dolphins fans used to thank Baltimore for giving them their only win in 2007, but now it seems like one big nightmare.
The Dolphins have been outscored 157-87 during the 1-6 stretch. Miami’s offense has been held to less than 14 points in six of the seven games, and the one time the Dolphins scored over 14 they still lost.
Miami’s one win came in 2015, a 15-13 victory at home in week 13. All 15 points came in the second quarter, and the Dolphins held on to win despite being shutout in the second half.
It has not mattered who the defensive coordinator was for Baltimore: Rex Ryan, Greg Mattison, Chuck Pagano and Dean Pees have figured Miami’s offense out, and the Dolphins have not had a response.
The script did not change last season either with Adam Gase calling plays for Miami. The Dolphins got whooped 38-6 in M&T Bank Stadium where they will play Thursday night.
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The Miami defense has obviously not helped the offense out. The Ravens have scored over 25 points in six of the seven games since 2008.
The question is, can the script flip Thursday night?
There is hope for the Dolphins heading into Baltimore. The hope lies in the run game which Miami has struggled to get going in 2017.
The Dolphins are 29th in the NFL in rush yards per game, averaging 81.7 ypg through the first six games. Miami is also the only team in the league without a rushing touchdown.
Running back Jay Ajayi has rushed for over 100 yards twice. However, he’s only ran for 196 yards combined in the other four games this season.
If there’s one week for Ajayi to break loose it’s this week. The Ravens have the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 145.3 yards per game.
The other slight hope Miami has is simple. Jay Cutler won’t be under center. With Cutler the Dolphins had the worst offense in the NFL.
The offense is currently last in yards per game at 261.8, and last in points this season with a mere 92 through six games. They have struggled moving the chains as well, ranking 31st in 3rd down conversions (30.1%).
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In Cutler’s first five games he only completed four passes of 20 yards or more. In just under two quarters of play Matt Moore completed five such passes.
Moore will have to face a top 10 passing defense though. The Ravens allow the seventh fewest yards through the air at 189 yards per game.
Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 70.6 against Baltimore, which is the 3rd lowest rating in the NFL. The Ravens defense also has 10 interceptions this season, which is tied with Jacksonville for most in the league.
With the Baltimore offense struggling, 31st in yards per game and 23rd in points per game, Miami’s defense has another opportunity to play well.
Run the ball well, open up the passing game with Matt Moore and continue to slow down Joe Flacco and company. If Miami does that, the script could be flipped.