ExtremeRavens Posted December 29, 2023 Posted December 29, 2023 Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 17 game between the Ravens (12-3) and the Miami Dolphins (11-4) at M&T Bank Stadium. Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 24, Dolphins 20: The Ravens have a short week after a West Coast game in which they dominated the 49ers in an emotional game, and that might normally be a concern for something of a letdown. But Baltimore can smell the finish line, and the defense as well as quarterback Lamar Jackson are operating at a high level. Miami stresses defenses with its running and passing game and has a defense that has been humming in recent weeks, but the Dolphins also have lost some big road games against the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs this season. They’re a different team on the road. The Ravens can match their speed and know they can clinch the top seed in the AFC with a win. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 30, Dolphins 27: The Ravens have proved to be the most balanced team in the NFL and they will expose the Dolphins’ weaknesses on defense. Baltimore needs to get an early lead and then pound the ball with a strong running game in the second half. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 31, Dolphins 27: If Ravens-49ers was the game of the year, this one is even more important. The Ravens will need takeaways to counter unavoidable chunk gains from Miami’s playmakers. The Dolphins won’t have an answer for Lamar Jackson, but if they can go up early, they might prevent the Ravens from pounding on them in the second half. Advantage goes to the home team as these heavyweights match strengths. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 27, Dolphins 19: With wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle not fully healthy, the Ravens should be able to contain the Dolphins’ offense. As formiddable as Miami has looked with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa playing at a high level and running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane leading a potent rushing attack, this Ravens defense just held a very similar offense in check in San Francisco. With the top seed in the AFC at stake and Lamar Jackson playing some of his best ball of the season, Baltimore gets it done at home and gives its top players three weeks of rest before the divisional round begins. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 35, Dolphins 24: The Ravens aren’t messing around anymore, having won nine of their past 10. Those late-game collapses earlier in the season (which really dates to their epic fall the last time they faced Miami in September 2022) seem like a thing of the past as they have found their winning formula. The Dolphins pose many challenges but are also banged up — neither of their star receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, are 100% — and their defense isn’t anything special. Baltimore does not want to go into the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh needing a win to lock up the No. 1 seed or even potentially the AFC North. The Ravens are a well-oiled machine right now without any major weakness, and that won’t change Sunday. View the full article Quote
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