There’s a matchup of AFCteams in different situations to open up week 10 of the NFLslate as they collide down in South Beach. The Baltimore Ravensare on the road as they travel to face the Miami Dolphinson Thursday Night Football. Baltimore comes in off a 34-31 overtime win at home against Minnesota though they failed to cover as a 7.5-point favorite Sunday in their previous game. Miami snapped a seven-game slide as they beat fellow doormat Houston 17-9 at home Sunday, covering the line as a four-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series, the Ravens own an 8-6 advantage and have won the last three meetings.
Lamar Jackson is having a tremendous season for the Baltimore Ravens and is putting up MVP-type numbers yet again. He’s the only player in the NFL averaging 350+ combined passing and rushing yards per game. He ranks 10th in the NFL in passing yards per game (276.1) and 7th in rushing yards/game (75.0).
With Baltimore seventh in the NFL in scoring (27.6 points per game), second in total yards (427.9 yards per game, Dallas has 434.3), and fourth in the league in converting red-zone trips into touchdowns (71.4%), it’s not the offense that fans should be concerned about. Their defense has not been as good this season as they have been in recent years. In 18 games last season (including playoffs), the Ravens allowed their opponent to score 30+ points just twice. This season, they’ve allowed half of their eight opponents to reach that mark. Of the four teams that failed, only the Colts (eighth) are in the Top 10 in scoring.
Lamar Jackson completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the win over Minnesota. He also had 120 rushing yards. Devonta Freeman finished with 13 carries for 79 yards, while Marquise Brown had nine catches for 116 yards.
Baltimore has played well defensively, giving up 24.4 points per game. They gave up 31 points in their last game and will need to do a better job if they want to get the win.
The Ravens lost starting S DeShone Elliott (biceps, pec) for the year in their last game.
Miami is averaging 17.2 points per game. They are averaging 222.3 passing yards and 75.1 rushing yards per game.
Jacoby Brissett completed 26 of 43 passes for 244 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the win over Houston. Myles Gaskin had 20 carries for 34 yards and one touchdown, while Jaylen Waddle had eight catches for 83 yards. Brissett is the likely starter with Tua Tagovailoa dealing with an injured finger.
Miami has struggled defensively, giving up 26.9 points per game. They gave up nine points in their last game and will need a similar effort if they want to win this game.
All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson in another primetime game for the Ravens. The NFL MVP candidate has been a one-person wrecking crew at times for his team, outsmarting defenses in the passing game and as a rusher.
Prediction: Baltimore -8