Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Miami got pushed around by a more physical team
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins have been resilient all season, and that resiliency will be needed this week as coach Adam Gase’s team licks its wounds from Sunday’s 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and tries to rebound.
The Dolphins were manhandled on offense and defense by the Ravens and their margin for error to make the playoffs is shrinking. Miami needs to go at least 3-1 in their final four regular-season games to have a chance at earning an AFC wild-card spot.
Here is the Sun Sentinel's report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed against the Ravens:
Passing game
Ryan Tannehill’s hot streak ended against the Ravens, who limited Tannehill to 226 passing yards and one touchdown, and forced him to throw three interceptions. Jarvis Landry was Tannehill’s primary target, catching 11-of-14 passes for 87 yards, but few of them were big plays. It would benefit the Dolphins if running back Jay Ajayi became more of a receiving threat. He caught six passes against the Ravens but turned those opportunities into just 26 yards. Grade: D+
Running game
Miami’s running game had some success against Baltimore’s stingy run defense, but most of the solid runs came from Ajayi, who gained 61 yards on 12 carries. The Dolphins abandoned the rushing attack early on because of the deficit, but the holes were there. Getting Branden Albert and Laremy Tunsil back from injuries helped the offensive line improve, but center Anthony Steen needs to play better to make the unit more productive. Grade: D+
Defending the pass
Joe Flacco threw for 381 passing yards and four touchdowns against Miami’s defense. Flacco consistently exploited openings in Miami’s zone coverage. Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta caught 9-of-10 passes Flacco threw to him and receiver Mike Wallace caught 6-of-7 passes thrown his way.
Grade: D-
Defending the run
Miami’s defense made rookie tailback Kenneth Dixon, who gained 56 rushing yards on six carries, and Terrence West, who gained 50 rushing yards on 10 attempts, look like a dynamic duo. The Ravens, who came into Sunday’s contest averaging 3.6 yards per attempt, rushed for 110 yards on 20 carries, which averages out to 5.5 per attempt. At this point it is unlikely that the Dolphins will get their run defense fixed this season.
Grade: F
Special teams
The Dolphins lost the field-position battle against the Ravens despite punter Matt Darr pinning three of his six punts inside the 20-yard line. But Miami did manage to contain dynamic, but aged return specialist Devin Hester to 20-yards total on four punt and kickoff returns. Having Andrew Franks miss a 46-yard field goal has to chip away at the team’s confidence in its kicker.
Grade: C-
Coaching
The Dolphins got out coached by John Harbaugh and his staff on all fronts. Miami’s offense was too willing to abandon the running game, even though it was being productive against the NFL’s stingiest run defense. And defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s approach of protecting the cornerbacks put pressure on Miami’s linebackers and safeties who got gashed between the numbers all game. Grade: D
Stock up
Cornerback Byron Maxwell has raised the level of his performance, and is playing like an All-Pro cornerback. Maxwell pulled down his second interception of the season Sunday, and forced his fourth fumble. His solid performance the past seven games makes the $8.5 million he’s earning this season seem reasonable.
Stock down
Tannehill produced a 63.1 passer rating against the Ravens, turning in the second-worst performance of this season. Tannehill’s struggles at Baltimore provides a reminder of what happens to the Dolphins when their fifth-year starting quarterback is forced to throw 40 passes in a game.