Dolphins vs. Ravens: Preview, score prediction for Week 8
Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Miami Dolphins come into Baltimore to face the Ravens battered and bruised. Yet, despite all the set-backs, Miami sits near the top of the AFC East at 4-2. Two weeks ago, the Dolphins found themselves in a 17-point hole at halftime, then reeled off 20 straight to come roaring back against the Atlanta Falcons. Last week the Dolphins again found themselves down big late, this time down by two touchdowns heading into the final quarter against the New York Jets. But again, the Dolphins persevered and came away with the victory.
A victory that came at a hefty price; however, as the Dolphins lost starting quarterback Jay Cutler for at least one week to multiple cracked ribs. Now, yet again, the Dolphins have to scramble to fill a void left by an injured quarterback. That void will be filled by long-time Dolphins backup Matt Moore. Moore performed well coming off the bench cold. Now, he has a short week to prepare as the starter and faces a team known for its tough, physical play.
The Dolphins offense looked better last week against the Jets. They were pushing the ball downfield. The offense seemed to finally have turned the corner and was clicking. Both with Cutler, and to an even greater extent Moore. Now the question becomes how much of that was for real? Have the Dolphins finally figured out their offensive woes? Will the change to Moore spur the offense to finally put up the numbers they should be capable of? Or was last week’s success just a flash in the pan?
We’ll find out the answers to those questions early this week, as the Dolphins face a Thursday game after an emotional victory against a division rival. Here are the keys to another Dolphins victory.
Keys to Victory
Matt Moore has been with the Miami Dolphins for years. He knows Adam Gase’s system like the back of his hand. He has a rapport with the other 10 guys on offense that was evident from the moment he hit the field. The Dolphins offense isn’t going to be set back too much from the injury to starting quarterback Jay Cutler. That being said, they come in on a short week and some concessions in the game plan are going to need to be made. Keeping it simple is going to be key to coming out of Baltimore with a third straight victory.
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If the Dolphins want to avoid falling into an early hole like they have each of the past two weeks, they need to channel the sort of offense that they were running in the final quarter of last week’s game. It was a more downfield passing attack, the likes of which haven’t been seen in Miami this season. Those two trains of thought may sound counter-intuitive, but that’s what Moore brings to the table. He has a mind to push the ball downfield, sometimes in spite of his better judgement. Keeping it simple, in this sense, is letting Moore do what he does best. Embrace the change, go with the flow, and hope the mistakes he’s going to make are back-breaking.
On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins defense has been playing like a completely different team from the one we saw in the first weeks of the season. The Dolphins front is getting pressure. The addition of linebackers Lawrence Timmons and Rey Maualuga has completely transformed what was a struggling defense into one of the league’s best. Coming up against a struggling offense on a short week, pressure is going to be key.
If the Dolphins can pressure Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and make his night a nightmare, the Dolphins should be well on their way to victory. Flacco has really struggled this season, thanks in large part to the Ravens yet again struggling to find a reliable weapon in the receiver corps. This is just what the doctor ordered for a group of corners going through turmoil themselves. With the release of Byron Maxwell, the Dolphins are short-staffed. The move could come back to haunt them, but it’s doubtful to be a major issue this week.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Baltimore -3
Moneyline: Miami +150, Baltimore -170
Over/Under: 37.5
Odds via Sportsbook Review
Prediction
Miami is definitely behind the proverbial 8-ball coming into this game. They have a short week. They’re coming off not one, but two emotional comebacks. Most of all, they’re without their starting quarterback. All this against a defense known for its aggressive, physical play. Together, that all sounds like a recipe for disaster for the Dolphins. However, the Ravens struggles on offense have proven largely insurmountable this season, and I believe that trend will continue on Thursday.
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The Dolphins defense is playing like one of the best in the league after some early struggles. They’re flying around the field and finally making plays in both the run and pass games. If the Dolphins offense can play like the squad that showed up in the second half last week, Miami should walk away victorious. A win will push Miami to 5-2 on the season, and help them keep pace with the New England Patriots in the division. It’s shaping up to be a wild second half of the season. But as we all know, it’s one game at a time. First Baltimore, then the world.
Final Score: Miami Dolphins: 27 Baltimore Ravens: 7