Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins: It’s happening tonight at 8 pm:
The 2017 preseason started off with a bang for the Baltimore Ravens, with a dominant defensive performance against Washington.
While the defense certainly passed their first test, the same cannot be said for Ryan Mallett and the offense. While they were admitted without both starting wide receivers and two offensive linemen. Even so, Mallett averaged a paltry 3.2 yards per attempt while only completing 50% of his passes against mainly backups, yikes.
The team hopes to get in a better offensive rhythm when they take on the Dolphins in sunny Miami Gardens this Thursday night.
The Cutler experience
Making his debut as a Dolphin, Jay Cutler joins a Miami squad that turned their season around after starting 1-4, finishing at 10-6 and earning a Wild Card berth. Cutler had originally retired after being released by the Bears, but was coaxed back by former offensive coordinator and now head coach of the Dolphins Adam Gase. He is replacing Ryan Tannehill who is out for theyear. Cutler had his best statistical season under Gase in 2015, and is looking to replicate that success with the Dolphins this year.
The former Bears field general, faces a daunting first test, going up against an extremely stout Ravens defense. He may be without star running back, Jay Ajayi. Ajayi was just recently cleared from the concussion protocol.
Interesting battle between Ravens secondary and Dolphins wide receivers:
However, the Miami offense has no shortage of weapons at receiver with Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker and Kenny Stills (who is nursing a hamstring injury). They can beat a defense at any level and will be a good test for the Ravens revamped secondary.
For the Ravens’ defense, first round cornerback Marlon Humphrey is expected to make his debut and will see extended action against the talented Dolphins’ receivers. With Tavon Young out for the season and Maurice Canady expected to miss most of the year, Humphrey will see a decent amount of playing time immediately.
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Ryan Mallett will start once again in place of injured QB Joe Flacco. Mallett looks to have a better performance against the Dolphins defense. Their defense has lost cornerback Tony Lippett and rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillian for the season. Wide receivers Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin are also expected to make their preseason debuts.
The offensive line gets a test, whether they’re ready or not:
Terrance West was exceptional last week, looking decisive when making cuts and scoring a TD. Another good showing would almost certainly lock up his place as the workhorse for Greg Roman’s downhill running scheme.
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While the Ravens offensive line was impressive last week, they face a tougher test this week. They face 2016 second team All-Pros DT Ndamukong Suh and LB Cameron Wake.
Here are some interesting facts about the players in Thursday’s contest
- Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi was PFF’s most elusive running back last season, forcing 58 missed tackles. He also averaged 3.46 yards after contact, which best in the league as well.
- Dolphins undrafted rookie receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow had a 99-yard touchdown last week against the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons. What’s even more surprising is that he ran a 4.60 at his pro day, proving that speed isn’t everything.
- Ravens undrafted rookie RB Taquan Mizzell (aka “Smokes”) ran for 51 yards last week against Washington, but only averaged 3.4 yards per carry. He’ll look to improve that against the Dolphins
- Miami and Baltimore may be the most snake bitten teams in the league when it comes to injuries. The Dolphins have lost their starting QB, LG, CB and potentially MLB. Joe Flacco won’t return until the preseason. They have lost their starting TE, LG, two backup guards, slot CB, and potential starting RB in Kenneth Dixon.
Next: 10 players to watch against the Dolphins
The Baltimore Ravens have some work to do tonight, and that means we do too! Come to Ebony Bird to digest what goes down tonight in the game.