Dolphins (2-6) vs. Ravens (2-5), Thursday, 8:15, Prime, CBS Miami
Latest line: Ravens are favored by 7 1/2 points
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 2-6): Dolphins 24, Ravens 20
Why not? Why not think one good game from the Miami Dolphins can lead to two? Why not think the defense that stopped Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins can stop Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson? Why not think the offense that was a machine last week can’t keep everything revving Thursday night? Sure, the answer is the previous seven games where the Dolphins stumbled and sputtered might make you think they’ll struggle Thursday. But why ruin a good hope?
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 4-4): Ravens 24, Dolphins 20
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP who attended Boynton Beach HS, is making a homecoming and returning from injury. That’s big. But RB Derrick Henry is also healthy and playing. That’s big, too. We’ll soon find out if the run defense and run game that the Dolphins displayed in last week’s win over Atlanta is here to stay.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 2-6): Ravens 27, Dolphins 23
Miami finally appears to be putting something positive together after dominating Atlanta. And they get a two-win team at home on a short week. The Dolphins are golden, right? Not quite. That two-win team is the Baltimore Ravens, who are getting star quarterback Lamar Jackson back. The Dolphins should take some of the things they executed both in run offense and defense against the Falcons with them into this one, but it’s a different challenge.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 4-4): Dolphins 27, Ravens 23
Remember that Thursday night game in 2021, when the Dolphins beat the Ravens 22-10 during the Dolphins’ stretch of five consecutive wins to end the season? The Dolphins were 2-7 going into that Ravens game, and Baltimore was heavily favored. It was a bit of a turning point for Miami. Maybe Thursday night lightning strikes twice? Sure, Lamar Jackson is returning this week, but he’s rusty after a Sept. 28 injury sidelined him. The Dolphins are feeling good after Sunday’s complete victory. Why not?
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 6-2): Ravens 24, Dolphins 20
Miami faces a big challenge coming off a short week against the Ravens, who return two-time league MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Dolphins also face the unenviable task of trying to slow down Baltimore’s 250-pound power back Derrick Henry. After QB Tyler Huntley helped the Ravens snap their four-game losing streak last week, they appear primed to make a run with the Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, Jets and Bengals as their next five oppoenents. Baltimore (2-5), 7 1/2-point road favorites against the Dolphins, is just two games behind the division-leading Steelers (4-3). Baltimore’s defense also has made a turnaround for the once-Super Bowl favorites.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 2-6): Ravens 20, Dolphins 17
Can the Dolphins hem in Lamar Jackson like they did in their pulsating 22-10 Thursday night win four years ago? I think so. That said, the Ravens still have a realistic shot at the playoffs as, despite having the same number of wins as Miami, the top team in their division has a record of 4-3, while the Dolphins have two teams in the AFC East who have at least five victories. A Dolphins win likely (and probably misguidedly) takes them out of the sellers market for the trade deadline.
