Ravens Earn Statement Win Over Dolphins 56-19, Clinch AFC No. 1 Seed
With the top seed in the AFC on the line on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens showed why they deserve to be called the league's best team with a 56-19 beatdown of the Miami Dolphins.
This game was close for most of the first half with Miami leading 10-7 heading into the second quarter. After that, Baltimore went on a 28-3 run that lasted until the early stages of the fourth quarter, virtually ending the game.
Ravens receiver Zay Flowers
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Even with the game well in hand, the Ravens decided to send a message by scoring another 21 unanswered points in the final frame.
The story of the day was the show put on by the offense, and in particular quarterback Lamar Jackson, who may have locked up his second MVP award with his performance. After being called not "quarterbacky" enough by an "analyst" earlier in the week, Jackson silenced any remaining doubters by completing 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns with no turnovers - earning the perfect QB rating of 158.3.
With 56 points on the day, the Ravens set a franchise record for points scored in a home game. The franchise record for any game is 59 points, coincidentally also against the Dolphins in 2019.
While the offense was the focal point, Baltimore's defense deserves credit for containing a high-powered Miami attack. The Ravens forced three crucial turnovers, including two picks on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Some of the Ravens' other top performers include receiver Zay Flowers (three receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown), tight end Isaiah Likely (two receptions for 42 yards and two scores) and defenders Roquan Smith and Geno Stone, who each had an interception.
For the Dolphins, Tagovailoa completed 22 of 38 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back De'Von Achane rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries, while star receiver Tyreek Hill added 76 yards on six receptions.
The Ravens clinched the AFC's top seed with this win, ensuring a first-round bye as the road to the Super Bowl will run through Baltimore. They'll conclude the regular season with a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday, but with their seed locked up, it's very possible they rest their starters.
And finally, as if all that wasn't enough, the Ravens' 56-19 win over the Dolphins is NFL SCORIGAMI. No game in the history of the NFL has ever ended with that score.
