Baltimore does Broncos favor by routing Miami
RAVENS 38, DOLPHINS 6
baltimore» John Harbaugh had been waiting the entire season for the Baltimore Ravens to put it all together in one memorable, outstanding performance.
His patience was rewarded Sunday.
The Ravens combined a record-setting passing day by Joe Flacco with a rugged defensive effort in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins that aided the Broncos in the playoff picture.
“We just did nothing to get us going,” first-year Miami coach Adam Gase lamented after his team fell to 7-5, one game behind the Broncos in the AFC playoff race. “And then all of a sudden, we’re behind. It’s tough to battle back against a team like this.”
“It was just a heck of a team victory,” Harbaugh said. “It’s something that’s been in our minds, our vision of how we played today as a team. It’s what we’re working for, and it’s nice to see it happen.”
Flacco threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns, and the Ravens (7-5) made it apparent early that Miami’s six-game winning streak would not make it to seven.
Baltimore built a 24-0 halftime lead behind the league’s second-ranked defense and Flacco, who went 27-for-34 for 258 yards and three scores.
That was enough to provide the Ravens with their fourth win in five games and at least a share of first place in the AFC North.
Flacco finished with a franchise-record 36 completions in 47 attempts, by far his most impressive outing in an uneven season. He entered with 11 TD passes and 10 interceptions.
“It feels good to throw four touchdown passes,” Flacco said, “but at the end of the day, what does it really matter? As long as we win, that’s what matters.”
Miami didn’t score until Ryan Tannehill threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after a fumble recovery that started the drive at the Baltimore 8.
That made it 24-6, and Flacco answered with a 53yard touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman with 12:49 left.
Two of Flacco’s TD passes went to tight end Dennis Pitta, who’s enjoying a fine season in his return from a second hip surgery. Pitta had nine catches for 90 yards and leads Baltimore with 61 receptions, but he hadn’t reached the end zone since December 2013.
Tannehill went 29-for-40 for 226 yards and three interceptions. He was picked off only once during Miami’s six-game streak.
The Ravens scored a touchdown on their first possession for the second week in a row, moving 75 yards before Flacco connected with Terrance West for a 3-yard score.