Three keys to a Miami Dolphins victory over the Ravens
The Miami Dolphins are entering a territory that has seemed like it’s off limits for the last several years. That territory is the NFL Playoffs – of which Miami hasn’t competed in since 2008 – and the Dolphins are currently penciled in as a wild-card team following the team’s current six-game win streak.
One of the issues that several NFL analysts have pointed out during the win streak is the lack of quality teams that Miami has defeated. While the team obviously cannot chose the schedule it plays, this concern shouldn’t be ignored as many would consider the win against Pittsburgh the only real quality win during this streak.
However, in the NFL, all wins are created equal which is the reason Miami is in the position it’s currently in – playing meaningful games in December.
Perhaps one of the most difficult games Miami has played in the last several weeks will be Sunday’s game against Baltimore. The Ravens, 6-5 overall and winners of three of their last four, will be a new challenge for the Dolphins as Baltimore allows just 18.3 points per game and is sixth in the NFL in passing yards against and first in rushing yards against.
With what seems likely to be a low-scoring game Sunday, here are three key things Miami must accomplish if it wants to extend the win streak to seven.
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1. Limit turnovers
During the Dolphins’ six-game winning streak the team has only turned the ball over twice. If Miami wants to defeat Baltimore Sunday, committing no turnovers may be one of the main things the team can do to help accomplish this.
The way head coach Adam Gase has tailored the offense to suit Ryan Tannehill has been magical and the idea of Gase being a quarterback whisperer is proving true once again in Miami.
While Tannehill struggled with turnovers early in the season – throwing seven interceptions in the first five games – the fifth-year quarterback has really grasped the offense over the last five weeks throwing for nine touchdowns compared to just one interception.
2. Slow down Baltimore early
It’s not a must that the Dolphins get out to a hot start against Baltimore – they rarely do anyways this season – but they can’t afford to get down by multiple scores against a team with a defense the caliber of Baltimore’s.
If Miami is forced to become one dimensional and rely on the passing game, it’s likely that Tannehill will be placed in a position to throw more than the team prefers him to and this may lead to an increase in turnovers.
The Dolphins need to keep this game close so they can continue to mix in both pass and run calls. Plus, if Branden Albert and Laremy Tunsil return Sunday – which it sounds like they might – this will help Miami’s run offensive line production which has been lacking since Albert, Tunsil and Mike Pouncey have been out.
3. Get Jarvis Landry involved
Jarvis Landry has taken a backseat to DeVante Parker recently, and with Parker dealing with a back injury, Landry is going to have to step up and make some plays for the offense.
Still one of Miami’s main playmakers, Landry hasn’t topped 80-yards and only has one receiving touchdown over the last five games.
Overall I think it’s a good thing when Landry isn’t the focal point of the offense as I don’t think running the offense through quick passes to a slot receiver is sustainable over the course of a season; but I do believe there are certain games where it can be effective and I believe this is one of those games.
If Landry can record seven-plus receptions and make some plays after the catch, I believe it will allow Tannehill to complete a higher percentage of his passes and limit the impact of Baltimore’s feared defense.
READ MORE: Gase proving himself through play of Tannehill
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