Imagine you haven’t done the thing that you love for a month.
And when you finally get the opportunity, it’s in front of friends and family. In your hometown. In prime time.
You probably would want to show out, too?
That’s exactly what Lamar Jackson did in his return from a hamstring injury, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 victory against over
Jackson had quite the day, completing 78% of his passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns. He added another 14 yards on the ground.
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) battles for yardage on a pass reception against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the first half of an NFL football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Dolphins offense, however, wasn’t able to keep up as the team failed to even score a touchdown. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 261 yards and an interception. De’Von Achane had 101 yards from scrimmage (67 on the ground and 39 through the air). Jaylen Waddle led all pass-catchers with six grabs for 82 yards.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
The Dolphins went into halftime down eight.
That, however, shouldn’t have been the case.
Dolphins wideout Tahj Washington was stripped on his own 18-yard line. Miami missed a field-goal attempt in the red zone in the first quarter. And they failed to convert a fourth down — again, in the red zone — toward the end of the second quarter.
That could have been the difference between a halftime deficit and a halftime lead.
STUFFING THE RUN
The Dolphins’ defense seemingly picked up right where they left off against the run.
Despite the return of Jackson, Baltimore has rushed for just 30 yards on 10 attempts in the first half. Outside of star tailback Derrick Henry’s 14-yard scamper, he has just eight caries for 16 yards during the first two quarters. Jackson, himself, has one sole rush attempt for no gain.
Then the second half began.
Jackson’s effectiveness through the air began to open up more opportunities for Henry and company. The team, itself, ran for 149 yards. A large part: Henry’s monster second half saw the 10-year veteran finish with 119 yards.
OFFENSE MOVING BALL WELL – AT FIRST
The Dolphins had more than 100 additional offensive yards than the Ravens in the first half.
Granted, the Ravens had a touchdown drive that began at the Miami 11, however, the Dolphins should have more points.
That, once again, changed in the second half.
The drives went as follows: three-and-out. Punt. Fumble. Interception.
INJURIES GALORE:
It’s difficult not to acknowledge the plethora of injuries that might have impacted the game.
An injured Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (31) walks off the field with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
First, Ifeatu Melifnowu went down with a toe injury in the second quarter. Then Chop Robinson exited with a concussion. Finally, Ollie Gordon II went down, leaving the Dolphins with just one tailback as Jaylen Wright was a healthy scratch.
TURNOVERS
Win the turnover battle, win the game.
Unfortunately, the Dolphins were minus-three in that regard. In addition to Washington’s fumble, Malik Washington lost the ball early in the fourth quarter. Midway through the final period, Tagovailoa also tossed an interception.