Lamar Jackson made a triumphant return from injury, throwing three touchdowns to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a convincing 28-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, who had shown promise just days prior with a dominant 34-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons, unfortunately saw their familiar issues return, falling to 2-7 on the season. This loss has intensified the scrutiny around head coach Mike McDaniel, as frustration among fans began to surface.
In a match that saw Miami initially take charge, their first-half performance was overshadowed by self-inflicted errors that ultimately cost them the game. Although they controlled the ball for nearly 19 minutes and outgained the Ravens 226-108 in yardage during the first half, Miami could only convert their opportunities into two field goals, thanks to kicker Riley Patterson. Their inability to capitalize on their dominance became evident as the first half ended with Baltimore leading 14-6.
Several critical mistakes defined Miami’s struggle throughout the game. A crucial red-zone turnover led directly to Baltimore’s first touchdown. Furthermore, a collision between Dolphins defenders allowed Jackson to connect with his tight end, Mark Andrews, for two touchdowns, highlighting how defensive lapses can severely impact team performance. A promising drive for Miami was also derailed by a false start from Larry Borom, which resulted in Patterson missing a subsequent field goal attempt wide right, further compounding their misfortunes.
Despite Jackson being sidelined for some time, he demonstrated his elite playmaking ability by taking full advantage of Miami’s missteps. The Ravens’ defense tightened in the second half, which saw them score two additional touchdowns. Jackson threw a three-yard pass to Charlie Kolar and followed it up with a nine-yard strike to Rashod Bateman, effectively sealing the victory.
Head coach Mike McDaniel expressed his disappointment after the match, acknowledging the need for the team to improve in critical situations. “It sucks,” he said, noting the consistency of their struggles. “I think it’s a pretty consistent formula – fans enjoy winning. We have to do the work and do the right things for fans to enjoy the experience, and unfortunately, we didn’t do that.” McDaniel emphasized that while the team’s effort was commendable, their inability to execute in crucial moments ultimately led to their downfall, a sentiment that reflects the urgency required for Miami to regroup and find a way forward in the remainder of the season.

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