Lamar Jackson’s comeback for the Baltimore Ravens could not have unfolded much better. The one-time MVP tossed four touchdown passes to spearhead a 28-6 thrashing of the Miami Dolphins on “Thursday Night Football.”
Jackson had been sidelined for the previous four games due to a hamstring injury, observing from the sidelines as Baltimore entered a slump. Following the Ravens’ victory last week that improved their record to 2-6, head coach John Harbaugh verified Jackson would return for Week 9 – and he delivered.
While he didn’t overexert that hamstring with his signature Houdini-esque scrambles, Jackson’s arm was eager to unleash, having been idle for a month.
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It happened in the first quarter after the Ravens’ defense forced a fumble by Tahj Washington, positioning Baltimore on Miami’s seven-yard line. After Derrick Henry’s two unsuccessful attempts to score, Jackson rolled out on fourth-and-goal and connected with his trusted tight end Mark Andrews, making the score 7-3.
Subsequently, after the Dolphins missed a field goal, Jackson spearheaded a seven-play, 75-yard drive where Andrews was once again open, this time catching the ball and sprinting 20 yards into the end zone, extending the Ravens’ lead to 14-3.
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In the meantime, Tua Tagovailoa was met with a chorus of boos that intensified with each quarter as the Dolphins struggled to score. Indeed, they failed to do so throughout the night, despite entering the red zone five times.
Leading 14-6 at halftime, Jackson and the Ravens resolved to break the game open with a methodical, 11-play drive that culminated in a Charlie Kolar touchdown. The Dolphins only managed to run seven total plays in the third quarter, and Jackson located Rashod Bateman for his fourth touchdown pass of the contest as even louder jeers echoed from the Hard Rock Stadium crowd.
They peaked in the fourth quarter when a 12-play Dolphins drive ended with a Malik Washington fumble in the red zone, while Tagovailoa was intercepted by rookie Malachi Starks, sealing the game.
Looking at the stats, Jackson completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards with his four touchdowns, while rushing for only 15 yards. Henry, however, rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries, while Zay Flowers caught five Jackson passes for 64 yards.
For Miami, Tagovailoa completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. De’Von Achane, the Dolphins’ dynamic running back, rushed for 67 yards and caught six passes for 39 yards. Jaylen Waddle topped the game with 82 yards on six receptions.
The Ravens understand they need to prolong this win streak to achieve their playoff ambitions after a 1-6 start to the season, and that’s precisely what they accomplished in Jackson’s return.
Conversely, the Dolphins still have numerous aspects to resolve following a promising victory over the Atlanta Falcons the previous week.
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