The Miami Dolphins faced a challenging matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, ultimately falling to a disappointing 2-7 record for the season. Added to the indignity, the stands were packed with an unusual amount of away Ravens fans, further incensing Dolphins fans. Miami failed to find a rhythm on offense, falling victim to turnovers and point-blank misses. The Dolphins have a 10-day hiatus before taking their show to Buffalo in Week 10. This administrative pause provides them with an opportunity to regroup and address the areas where they are falling short.
The Dolphins came into the game looking to climb their way back into contention, but they never stood a chance. They turned the ball over three times, a decisive aspect that kept them from generating points. They struggled on third down, converting a paltry 2-of-12 times on third downs. The team failed to capitalize on their three red zone appearances. They missed some incredibly important opportunities on the field at a time when they needed those points the most.
Even Miami’s head coach Mike McDaniel was in touch with the collective pain that fans felt. He admitted that the team had been focusing on making fewer self-inflicted wounds and was disappointed with how it was executed during the game.
“That was at self-inflicted wounds that we’ve been putting such an emphasis on all things related to our operation,” – Mike McDaniel
Even while the Dolphins were disappointing on the offensive end, the Dolphins defense was a revelation in the first half. They outgained the Ravens 226-109 and possessed the ball for 18:29 compared to Baltimore’s 11:01. They still trailed 14-6 at halftime. The tide turned completely in that third quarter, with the Ravens outgaining Miami 166-39 for an embarrassing final score.
It was Seattle linebacker Jordyn Brooks who provided the most honest take on Seattle’s disastrous performance. He lamented their inability to convert opportunities into points. He specifically noted how the crowd noise from Ravens fans had affected their communication during key moments.
“With the Ravens fans, it maybe got a little muffled with my cadence and the crowd noise,” – Jordyn Brooks
Brooks underscore the importance of taking advantage of scoring opportunities. He put a premium on playing complementary football, something the Dolphins haven’t done all season.
“We’ve got to capitalize when we’ve got the chance to and play complementary football,” – Jordyn Brooks
These were heavy offensive woes for the Dolphins. Larry Borom’s critical false start on fourth-and-1 during their third drive only compounded the problem. This penalty severed the umbilical cord connecting Miami’s offense to their composure and increased their challenges in a win-or-go-home situation.
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