Miami Dolphins flat in crushing 38-6 defeat at Baltimore

Robert Molnar
Updated
Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws as Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (51) applies pressure during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws as Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (51) applies pressure during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Coming out flat to open the game, the Miami Dolphins never seemed to get their legs underneath them — if they even traveled with the team — as they suffered an absolutely crushing 38-6 defeat at Baltimore. The loss likely fuels the fire of many doubters given the team’s struggles against some higher competition this week.

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Overall, there was not a single part of the Miami Dolphins game that can be complemented. The one exception is the running of Jay Ajayi who averaged around 5.1-yards per rush. The rest of the offense, dreadful. The defense, what comes after dreadful? As a whole, I would even go as far to say that this was the Dolphins worst game of this season and their worst team performance in many years.

Starting with the offense, the offensive line — which featured both Branden Albert and Laremy Tunsil — did not have the same mojo that we had seen from it previously. Rarely did it ever get the push on the Ravens front four. It’s blocking at times was atrocious and will be highly dissected in the next week given the bland effort from the protection.

That breakdown likely attributed to the spotty play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. However, despite the issues in front of him, even perfect protection may not have helped the Dolphins today. Tannehill appeared to once again become his former self in terms of pocket awareness and accuracy. Though one of his interceptions came off a tipped ball, Tannehill totaled three picks on the day with two coming on drives that would have been at least field goal opportunities otherwise.

Tannehill’s problems throwing the football led to issues in the receiving game as well. Though Jarvis Landry had his best game in the last month with eleven receptions for 87-yards, it was nowhere near enough considering the offense’s constant problems. DeVante Parker — despite having a touchdown reception — and Kenny Stills were both also held mostly silent throughout the course of the action.

On defense, it was as if the Ravens knew what Miami was going to do on every play. Multiple fourth down conversions, zero sacks, and many, many big plays for the Ravens offense ended this game before it even started. Knowing the Miami Dolphins liked to get to the quarterback, Baltimore ran a lot of quick passing plays, giving Miami no chance to get pressure on Joe Flacco.

Without that pressure, the overall poorness of the team’s pass defense was exposed. During the contest, Flacco threw for 381-yards and four touchdowns with only one interception during the first half.

If the Miami Dolphins — who are now 7-5 — are to continue in the playoff hunt this season, their is much that needs to be worked on this week in practice. Awaiting the team next week is a home game against the Arizona Cardinals, a team much like Baltimore in terms of their underperforming season and overall skill.

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