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Alonso’s big hit knocks Flacco from game
Quarterback put under protocol for concussions
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco left Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter and was put in the concussion protocol following a big hit by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso to the head and shoulder area after Flacco slid feet first deep in Miami territory.
Alonso was flagged for unnecessary roughness, a 6-yard penalty (half the distance to the goal) because it happened at the 11-yard line.
Ravens backup quarterback Ryan Mallett entered the game and finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson to give the Ravens a 20-0 lead, their halftime margin. Flacco didn’t return to the game.
Flacco, off to a slow start this season with five touchdowns and eight interceptions entering the game, was scrambling to his right on third-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 20-yard line and advanced to the 11-yard line.
Flacco slid feet first, which is a signal to defenders they can’t hit the quarterback. But Alonso dove to hit Flacco, appearing to make contact to the head and shoulder area, knocking Flacco’s helmet off his head.
That caused a small skirmish as Ravens center Ryan Jensen went to the ground to hit Alonso. After Alonso got up, players from both teams gathered and yapped at each other on the field with Alonso appearing to briefly go face-to-face with Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
Flacco was 10 of 15 for 101 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for a 107.9 passer rating in the game.
Tough stretch
The Dolphins are embarking on a schedule of three games in 15 days with each game being on national television. It’s a brutal stretch that could either give the Dolphins a little breathing room in relation to a playoff berth or bring them right back to the pack.
Miami visited Baltimore on Thursday, hosts Oakland next Sunday night (Nov. 5), and visits Carolina on Monday, Nov. 13. The Raiders are 3-4 and the Panthers are 4-3.
It’s unclear who might be back from injury by the time this stretch is over among quarterback Jay Cutler (ribs), wide receiver DeVante Parker (ankle), left
guard Anthony Steen (foot) and defensive end Andre Branch (groin).
Turning point?
Both teams entered this game with records that suggest they’re still in the playoff race at this early point of the year. Miami came in with a three-game winning streak, while Baltimore had lost four of its past five. But coach Adam Gase wasn’t sure this game could be a turning point for either team.
“It’s hard to say that early in the season,” Gase said. “I guess we’re both trying to find ways to get better. We’re all working on the different parts of our games. I’m sure they’re not happy with certain aspects and we’re certainly not happy with certain aspects of our total team game. Really, at this point, when you get into this part of the season, you’re just trying to make sure that you’re getting better every week.
“You’re trying to avoid being inconsistent. You’re trying to avoid having one good game, one bad game. Until somebody tells you you’re out of it, you just keep trying to find ways to get better and you don’t worry about all of the other noise.”
No double-duty scouting
Gase said he didn’t start scouting Baltimore before Sunday night, after the New York Jets game, even though this was a quick turnaround.
“To me, when you’re a play caller, you can’t move ahead,” Gase said. “I get messed up if I do that. You start thinking about two different teams.”
Second-quarter woes continue
The Dolphins have been outscored 53-7 in the second quarter . ... Parker, Branch, Cutler, Steen, safety Maurice Smith, linebacker Stephone Anthony, and guard Isaac Asiata were inactive. Asiata, the rookie fifth-round pick from Utah, has been inactive every game this season. Veteran offensive tackle Sam Young was active for the first time this year . ... The Dolphins started three rookies on defense — tackle Davon
Godchaux, end Charles Harris, and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley . ... Cutler, who has cracked ribs, made the trip to Baltimore meaning Miami had four quarterbacks on the sideline among Moore, backup David Fales, Ryan Tannehill and Cutler . ... Kicker
Cody Parkey missed his first field goal attempt of the season, missing wide right from 50 yards in the first half. Parkey entered the game 8 of 8 on field goal attempts, including three key late-game kicks against the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons and Jets.