Baltimore Ravens (1-1) – Miami Dolphins (2-0): 38-42
Frankly, all seemed lost. Led 35-14 at the end of the third quarter after a touchdown from Lamar Jackson (21/29, 308 yards, 3 TDs – 9 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD) on a crazy run from 79 yards, the Dolphins did not had then shown nothing to suggest that they could be explosive enough to turn the tide.
And yet. From there, Tua Tagovailoa (36/50, 469 yards, 6 TDs, 2 int) led his team to four touchdowns in a row, including two deep for Tyreek Hill (11 rec, 190 yards, 2 TDs). And even if the receiver-dragster sometimes had to slow down his race a little to wait for the leather, the result is there. Hill equalized on a 60-yard action 5 minutes 19 from time (35-35).
Killed for Tyreek episode 2️⃣ 💣💣
New long distance touchdown and the 2 teams are tied 🥵✌️#MIAvsBAL #FinsUp🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/hBjANNbnFp
— DNA of Sports.com – NFL News 🏈 (@DNA of Sports) September 18, 2022
Baltimore did no better than a field goal in response (38-35). With 2mn18 to play, Tagovailoa led a new series of 68 yards, completed by Jaylen Waddle (11 rec, 171 yards, 2 TDs).
With just 14 seconds remaining when they got the leather back, the Ravens couldn’t salvage their night.
Lamar Jackson, an MVP startup
Imperial, the Baltimore offense almost thought they had the deal wrapped up in the first half in the air. Five possessions, four touchdowns. This is the almost immaculate record of the Ravens in the first half.
And it only took them one action to hit, as Devin Duvernay returned the kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown. After a failure on the 4th attempt one yard from the end zone, the attack is ruthless, with a 75-yard touchdown from Rashod Bateman (4 rec, 108 yards, 1 TD), another from Mark Andrews (9 rec, 109 yards, 1 TD) and the next for DeMarcus Robinson. 28-7 from the break.
But as if that weren’t enough, Jackson punctuated his triumph with a 79-yard run for the 35-14 touchdown at the very end of the third quarter.
Impeccable start to the game, the Dolphins in slow motion
The start is not nearly as good for the Dolphins. The first offensive led by Tua Tagovailoa ends in an interception. And if he sends Jaylen Waddle into the end zone to reduce the score (7-14), he is intercepted a second time before the break.
Worse, the Miami attack always gives, at this time, this funny impression of going in slow motion. The contrast with the explosive actions of Baltimore is in any case striking. Returning from the locker room, led by 21 points, Mike McDaniel’s players take their time. They advance by small passes until a touchdown from Mike Gesicki (14-28).
They even get the ball back. But the attack stalls, and Jackson scores the 35-14 touchdown on a wild run. The lowest point, before a completely crazy comeback, during which Baltimore’s defense also completely took on water.
Miami finished with 547 yards on the clock, including 461 through the air. The Dolphins converted 7 of their 11 third attempts, with 2/2 a bonus on 4th attempts.
If the attack led by Lamar Jackson stalled a bit at the end of the match, it will above all be necessary for John Harbaugh to tighten the bolts behind.
