Ravens vs. Dolphins scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge?

The Ravens hardly ever could determine out the Dolphins’ blitz-weighty protection previous calendar year as they endured a 22-10 upset in Miami. Lamar Jackson will check out to make Miami pay for its dares this time all-around when a revamped Ravens secondary faces the dynamic obtaining duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Here’s who has the edge in every period of the video game:

Ravens passing video game vs. Dolphins pass protection

Lamar Jackson essential nearly two quarters to get rolling in the Ravens’ 24-9 opening victory in excess of the New York Jets, but at the time he did, he resembled the quarterback who punished defenses by throwing more than the major in the early weeks of past period. Jackson done just 17 of 30 passes and threw an interception in garbage time, but he led all quarterbacks in air yards for each attempt in Week 1, and his aggression paid out off with a pair of landing passes to Devin Duvernay and a 55-property score to Rashod Bateman.

The Ravens experienced hoped one of their incumbent receivers would phase forward as a running mate for Bateman, and Duvernay did just that, catching all 4 passes thrown his way. All-Professional restricted finish Mark Andrews had a quiet video game by his requirements (5 catches on 7 targets, 52 yards) but stays Jackson’s best focus on. Rookie limited end Isaiah Most likely struggled in his debut, catching zero passes on four targets and placing the Ravens back again with a holding penalty. Jackson’s line did a stable work guarding him versus the Jets but experienced a further setback when left tackle Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles tendon in the second quarter. Patrick Mekari, a trustworthy pass blocker, will fill in although they await the return of 2019 All-Pro Ronnie Stanley (ankle). The Ravens will deal with a sterner check than they did in opposition to the Jets.

The Dolphins tormented them with blitzes, true and feigned, in an upset very last season. Jackson took 4 sacks and threw an interception in that loss as the Ravens failed to rating a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter. Miami transformed coaches but retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, so the Ravens can count on much more of the similar. The Dolphins ranked next in the league in blitz percentage previous season, and they have confidence in cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Nik Needham to press on the exterior. Jackson will have to beat them with big performs to obtain a distinct consequence this time all over. The Dolphins, led by Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah upfront, will convey tension from every single angle to try out to rattle him. Wilkins, nevertheless, is questionable to play soon after being constrained by a back personal injury this 7 days.

EDGE: Dolphins

Dolphins passing video game vs. Ravens go defense

There aren’t quite a few players more divisive than Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who played successfully (23 of 33, 270 yards, 1 landing) in the Dolphins’ 20-7 opening earn above the New England Patriots. New coach Mike McDaniel seems determined to engage in to Tagovailoa’s strengths, inquiring him to connect with huge receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on timing routes that can convert into bigger plays. He was 10th in air yards per try in 7 days 1 after ranking 29th previous season.

Hill, the former Kansas City Chiefs star who caught eight passes on 12 targets in his Miami debut soon after the Dolphins traded for him in the offseason, continues to be one of the most dynamic playmakers in soccer. Waddle caught 104 passes on 140 targets as a rookie in 2021, and however he averaged just 9.8 yards for each catch, he punished the Patriots with a 42-yard touchdown in Week 1. Tagovailoa also likes to concentrate on Chase Edmonds out of the backfield. Miami will be devoid of commencing correct tackle Austin Jackson (ankle), and left tackle Terron Armstead (toe) is questionable to play.

The Dolphins will test to preserve their momentum likely versus a Ravens go protection that appeared rejuvenated in opposition to the Jets. The front seven dominated, with Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh combining for 11 pressures off the edges and Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce making relentless drive from the inside. Basic safety Marcus Williams celebrated his Ravens debut with a team-large 12 tackles and an interception, whilst Chuck Clark, freed up to engage in closer to the line of scrimmage, built nine tackles and forced a fumble.

The team’s secondary depth took a strike when veteran cornerback Kyle Fuller tore his ACL late in the game, but the Ravens could fill that hole and then some if previous All-Professional Marcus Peters (knee) returns from Miami. They are going through other questions at cornerback following Brandon Stephens (quad) skipped exercise Thursday and Friday and Marlon Humphrey (groin) was absent Friday. Regardless of who plays, the Ravens’ defensive backs and linebacker Patrick Queen, who played each down versus the Jets, will have their hands whole with Hill and Waddle.

EDGE: Ravens

Ravens running game vs. Dolphins run defense

The Jets went all out to quit the Ravens on the ground, and the negative news for offensive coordinator Greg Roman was that they succeeded. The Ravens, working with recently signed Kenyan Drake as their primary ball carrier, ran for 63 yards on 21 attempts, their next-worst rushing performance of the Jackson era. Drake did not have a lot home to function with as missed assignments and subpar run-blocking performances from most of the team’s offensive linemen (rookie centre Tyler Linderbaum shined in this region) additional up to a bleak photograph. Jackson, however the team’s leading working risk in a pinch, carried just six occasions for 17 yards, with his most significant achieve coming on a scramble relatively than a developed run. J.K. Dobbins, the team’s No. 1 managing back when healthful, has reported he hopes to perform in opposition to Miami.

The Dolphins’ aggressive perform stifled the Ravens’ operate game past calendar year, and they held the Patriots to 78 yards on 22 attempts in 7 days 1. Previous Raven Zach Sieler has developed into the top rated inside run defender for a successful entrance 7. With Boyer’s defense crowding the line of scrimmage, this will not be an uncomplicated week for the Ravens to get their ground assault on observe.

EDGE: Even

Dolphins functioning game vs. Ravens operate defense

The Dolphins are a pass-1st crew. Edmonds carried just 12 instances for 25 yards against the Patriots, and Tagovailoa is not significantly of a scrambling threat.

Despite sturdy performances from Pierce, Madubuike and Broderick Washington, the Ravens gave up a lot more double-digit runs than they would have favored in opposition to the Jets. Operating backs Breece Corridor and Michael Carter merged for 83 yards on just 16 carries. Veterans Josh Bynes and Calais Campbell, equally important to the Ravens’ No. 1 operate protection in 2021, played beneath their expectations.

EDGE: Ravens

Ravens specific teams vs. Dolphins special teams

The Ravens finished initially in Football Outsiders’ exclusive-groups DVOA in 2021, and they thoroughly outplayed the No. 2 staff from past year, the Jets, in 7 days 1. All-Pro Justin Tucker manufactured his only area-objective attempt, and rookie Jordan Stout punted perfectly in his debut, putting 3 of his 6 kicks inside the New York 20-yard line.

The Dolphins concluded 29th in particular-groups DVOA final season, having difficulties in most places. Kicker Jason Sanders built the two of his area-aim tries versus the Patriots after hitting on just 23 of 31 in 2021. Former Raven Raheem Mostert was a risky kickoff returner early in his occupation, so perhaps he can give the Dolphins a jolt.

EDGE: Ravens

Ravens intangibles vs. Dolphins intangibles

The Dolphins gained 8 of their past nine games in 2021 and beat the Patriots decisively in their opener, so they will appear to Baltimore a self-confident workforce, specifically supplied their defensive effectiveness from the Ravens previous November. It is too early to know significantly about McDaniel as a mentor, but he’s a respected offensive brain.

The Ravens likely felt some relief when they handled the Jets in Week 1 after getting rid of their final six game titles in 2021, but they know the Dolphins will test them additional aggressively in areas wherever they faltered down the stretch previous year. Jackson will not want to are living through yet another rough match towards a blitz-happy opponent. The Ravens however aren’t fully healthy as they wait around for Peters, Dobbins, Stanley and other reinforcements to bolster their result in.

EDGE: Dolphins

Prediction

This is the Ravens’ initially real test of 2022, from a team that gave them matches in November. The Dolphins will assault from each individual angle at the line of scrimmage and dare Jackson to defeat them in excess of the top. Meanwhile, they’ll depend on Hill and Waddle to operate wild from a revamped Baltimore secondary. This would be an easier phone if the Ravens experienced all their vital gamers, but Jackson will strike on ample downfield throws to pull them by way of at house. Ravens 24, Dolphins 20

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