Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens beat Dolphins 40-0: 3 big things

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 26: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 26: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 26: Outside Linebacker Matt Judon #99 and defensive end Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens tackle wide receiver Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 26: Outside Linebacker Matt Judon #99 and defensive end Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens tackle wide receiver Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. This is the dominant defense we were promised:

The Baltimore Ravens promised a dominant defense this offseason. The defense unsurprisingly started the season on the right foot. They made Andy Dalton miserable, forced five turnovers and shutout the Bengals. The Ravens defense has had dominant games this year. The Browns were throttled, the Raiders were shut down for the most part. The defense has also looked awful. The games against the Jaguars, Bears and Vikings were incredibly frustrating. The Ravens showed the dominant defense that they had promised their fans, when they shutout the Dolphins.

The Ravens defense is built to stop the pass. They want teams to be one dimensional so their pass rush and their elite secondary players can do the their thing (As Richard Bradshaw pointed out in a previous post). When the Ravens cannot stop the run, their aggressive brand of defense gets put on their heels. If the Ravens hold their opponent under 75 rushing yards they cannot lose.

Must Read: Ravens: 5 thoughts following big win

This defense is capable of being dominant, it isn’t a given:

If the Ravens defense makes teams one dimensional, sacks, interceptions and punts are all their opponent will be capable of getting. The Ravens stopped the run and dominated the Dolphins receivers. When the Ravens win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and their linebackers are making plays in the backfield, the Ravens are the most entertaining defense in the league to watch.

The Ravens defense has great cornerbacks. Jimmy Smith is playing out of his mind, unbelievable football. Brandon Carr is a great addition. Marlon Humphrey was a great draft pick and Lardarius Webb has had some shining moments this season. Eric Weddle is no slouch in the back end and when the Ravens use Tony Jefferson as an in the box safety he gets results. Throwing the football isn’t fun against the Ravens. When the Ravens stop the run, they win. It’s as simple as it gets.

Home/Ravens News