With QB Lamar Jackson playing in his first game since Week 4, the Baltimore Ravens got back on track and continued to close on the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North. After earning a critical Week 8 victory last Sunday over the Chicago Bears, the Ravens took care of business on the road and on a short week, 28-6 over the Miami Dolphins Thursday night.
With the win, the Ravens move to 3-5, matching the Cincinnati Bengals’ record and closing in on the 4-3 Steelers.
It didn’t take long for Jacksons’ return to be felt. He threw a pair of first half touchdowns to TE Mark Andrews. Capitalizing on a first quarter Dolphins fumble, the Ravens went for it on 4th and Goal from the 2. Jackson faked the handoff, rolled right, and hit a sliding Andrews for the score.
Jackson did the same on the following drive, hitting Andrews for a 20 yard touchdown to lead 14-0.
While the headline was Jackson’s first half scores, the B-story was questionable officiating. There were multiple dubious calls, most notably this “trip” on rookie RB Ollie Gordon II. His slip was interpreted for an intentional act and penalty, wiping out a 36 yard catch by WR Jaylen Waddle.
Sitting at 2-6 with backs against the wall at home, Miami closed the first half gap. Initially with a pair of Riley Patterson field goals, making up for a first quarter miss, before a late-half drive ended in a failed 4th and 2 pass in the Ravens’ red zone. Baltimore entered the half leading 14-6 despite being outgained by a 2:1 margin.
Baltimore took clear control of the game to open the second half. Using an 11-play, 68 yard drive, Jackson threw his third touchdown of the night. He hit backup TE Charlie Kolar for a short score, extending the lead to 21-6. A Dolphins three-and-out gave the ball right back and the Ravens again went to work. Wide receiver Zay Flowers 39 yard catch set up WR Rashod Bateman’s 9-yard score.
It was Jackson’s fourth touchdown pass of the day. In the three games without him, Baltimore had only thrown one.
Defensively, Baltimore’s defense bent but refused to break throughout the night. Miami finished 0-3 in the red zone, including forcing a fourth quarter fumble to end a 12-play Dolphins’ drive.
Jackson finished the day 17-of-22 for 204 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 16 rushing yards. RB Derrick Henry led the way on the ground with 119 yards. The defense held Miami to 2-of-12 on third down with three turnovers.
The Ravens continue a three-game road trip heading to Minnesota to take on the J.J. McCarthy-led Vikings in Week 9.
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