Last week's Thursday night game between the Kansas City Chiefs provided NFL fans with one of the best games of the 2017 season. In contrast, last night's contest between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens started off slow and turned into one of the most lopsided games of the year. The most entertaining aspect of last's night game for non-Ravens fans likely came via two scrums and an animal on the field.
First half ends with scum and a big lead
The Dolphins got the ball first and got off to a promising start, as Jay Ajayi broke off a 21-yard-run on the third play.
However, this drive would soon end in a punt and the rest of the game would see the Dolphins go 18 for 24 rushing with, Ajayi himself only managing two rushing yards on his next 12 carries.
The Ravens have given up 847 rushing yards over the last five weeks, the most over any five-game span in team history (via @EliasSports).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 26, 2017
The Ravens scored on their second drive of the game on a 34-yard strike from Joe Flacco to Jeremy Maclin to take an early lead. In the second quarter, Baltimore would tack on two field goals of 55 yard and 48 yards from Justin Tucker to make it 13-0.
Joe Flacco's 34-yard pass TD to Jeremy Maclin gives BAL a 7-0 lead
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
He was 4/19 with 0 TD & 4 INT on passes of 20+ air yards entering #TNF
Maclin has 2 receiving TD of 30+ yards in his first 6 games with the Ravens. He had 1 such TD in 2 seasons (27 games) with the Chiefs. https://t.co/H0f4TgDvG4
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
Following five consecutive drives that ended in punts, backup quarterback Matt Moore finally put a drive together but it ended in a missed 50-yard field goal.
The Ravens then drove down, facing a third-and-10 on Miami's 20. Quarterback Joe Flacco scrambled for nine yards and took a vicious hit from linebacker Kiko Alonso, leading to him being knocked out of the game and an unnecessary roughness penalty.
Kiko Alonso knocked Joe Flacco out of the game with this hard hit to the head. pic.twitter.com/ChMmOA0Owi
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 27, 2017
Backup Ryan Mallett then came in and threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson after the two-minute warning to make it 20-0.
Miami could not manage anything on their last drive of the first half, going three-and-out, as they were once again shutout at halftime this season.
This is the first time the Ravens have led by 20+ points in the 1st half since... last season (Week 13) against the Dolphins
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
Dolphins: 1st team to be shut out in 1st half 4 times in their 1st 7 games of the season since the 2014 Buccaneers (went 2-14 that season)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
Dolphins: 1st team to be shut out in 1st half 4 times in their 1st 7 games of the season since the 2014 Buccaneers (went 2-14 that season)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
Blowout continues in the second half
The third quarter of the game featured five punts and one blocked Justin Tucker field goal. Miami got a drive going at the end of the quarter but this ended in an interception at the start of the fourth quarter, which linebacker C.J. Mosley returned 63 yards for a touchdown. Baltimore failed their two-point conversion attempt and it was 26-0.
Miami then turned it over on downs and Baltimore drove downfield, facing third-and-goal at the one-yard line. Ndamukong Suh then came unimpeded to the quarterback. Mallett got in his face and things escalated from there. Buck Allen would fumble the next play but receiver Chris Moore recovered it in the end zone to make it 33-0.
The Dolphins got the ball back and on the fourth play of their drive, Moore threw another interception, which cornerback Jimmy Smith returned 50 yards for the game's final touchdown to make it 40-0. Miami got the ball back, turning it over on downs their last drive, with a cat appearing on the field to make the game exciting. Baltimore's victory puts them at 4-4 for the season, while the loss dropped Miami to 4-3.
The @MiamiDolphins only successful play tonight came from the wild cat! #TNF #MIAvsBAL #FinsUppic.twitter.com/M08gRPr6a0
— RotoQL (@rotoqlapp) October 27, 2017
Dolphins were shut out for 2nd time this season, 4th time Dolphins have been shut out multiple times in a season (also 1967, 1970, 2001)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 27, 2017
Dolphins: 4-3 record w/ -60 pt diff this year, worst by team with winning record after 1st 7 gms of season in NFL history (via @EliasSports)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 27, 2017
The 40-0 loss to John Harbaugh's Ravens is the Dolphins' worst shutout loss since 1997 vs. a Colts team led by QB Jim Harbaugh (lost 41-0)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 27, 2017
The Ravens beat the Dolphins, 40-0, the largest shutout win in team history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 27, 2017