By “Nunnie” Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The tsunami that struck the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Baltimore at the hands of the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens was total annihilation. The MVP front runner has become a complete professional quarterback with uncanny and unique abilities. Having thrown 5 touchdown passes against the Dolphins, I don’t recall him escaping the pocket to complete one of those smart missiles to his talented receiving corp. His exponential growth as an accurate passer, reader of defensive schemes and athleticism make him extremely special and lethally dangerous for all opponents.
I only speak about Lamar’s brilliance to put any concerns you may have about our Dolphins in perspective. We were beaten by a highly skilled, motivated and talented football team on that day.
We’ve outlined in previous articles the particular strengths and weaknesses of the Dolphins beginning with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the offensive line and the defense. Tua is not going to beat you with his legs so it is encumbered upon the offensive line to provide him with enough time to make his reads and get the ball to open receivers. Our much improved line has suffered injuries to key players, necessitating shuffling of players which weakens effectiveness. The injury to Bradley Chubb has severely crippled the defense’s ability to execute Coach Vince Fangio ’s scheme, particularly after losing Jaelan Phillips. So the question begs: are we good enough to overcome all of these setbacks? Everything that the Dolphins want is right in front of them. They simply need to defeat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at The Hardrock. Do these scores – 48-20 and 56-19 – mean anything to you? These scores represent Dolphins losses on the road by our 2 main rivals for the East Division and American Conference titles, the Bills and Ravens respectively.
We know they are capable but…..?
Now about the game. Would you believe the Dolphins led 10-7 with 3 minutes to go in first half and trailed by only a point, 14-13, after a Jason Sanders field goal. While the Dolphins offense stalled, Baltimore scored 21 unanswered points from the end of first half to the beginning of the third quarter, a time spanning 4:30. That’s how quickly the game got away from them, giving the Ravens a 35-13 lead. Miami (11-5) got back within two possessions early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to running back De’Von Achane, but would not get any closer. Several key players did not play because of injury: RB Raheem Mostert, WR Jaylen Waddle, OL Connor Williams, OL Isaiah Wynn and OL Robert Hunt. Injured during the game were CB Xavien Howard and Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins activated Melvin Ingram, a proven veteran, from the practice squad. Somehow, I believe the Dolphins capable of defeating the Bills at the “Rock.” GO FINS
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