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The Baltimore Ravens have had Miami’s number lately, and look for that success to continue Thursday night when the Dolphins visit M&T Bank Stadium for an 8:25 p.m. showdown. Baltimore has won three of the teams’ last four meetings, and six of the last seven.
The game should be a low-scoring affair, with both teams struggling at the quarterback position. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco is the NFL’s 45th-rated quarterback, behind such names as Brian Hoyer and Kevin Hogan, with an overall rating of 70.0.
Miami’s Jay Cutler is not expected to play as he nurses a rib injury, which will put backup Matt Moore back in the spotlight. Moore played well in Sunday’s 31-28 win over the Jets, completing 13 of 21 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and an overall rating of 102.9. In Moore’s past six starts on the road, he has thrown for 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions, and has posted an overall rating of 115.0.
Flacco is suffering from a lack of a downfield threat and is averaging a measly 5.3 yards per completion. In addition, Baltimore’s running game has not given him much assistance lately. In Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Vikings, Alex Collins and Javorius Allen contributed just 50 yards on the ground on 16 carries for an average of just over three yards per carry.
Sunday’s game did appear to be something of an aberration for Collins, who came into the game leading the NFL with a yards-per-carry average of 6.44. Collins is still the league leader in that department, but his average fell to 5.9 after his effort against Minnesota.
Baltimore’s defense is led by inside linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is tied for the NFL lead in tackles through the first seven games with 64. Mosley is one of only three NFL players (the others are Carolina’s Luke Kuechly and Jacksonville’s Telvin Smith) with more than 400 tackles (he has 401 after Sunday’s loss), over five sacks (his career total stands at seven) and over five interceptions (his interception against Cincinnati in week 1 upped his career total to 7) since entering the league in 2014. Mosley also has a fumble recovery to his credit.
The ageless Terrell Suggs, who, at 35-years young is in the midst of his 15th season with the Ravens, has notched 4.5 sacks so far this year to lead the team. Safeties Lardarius Webb and Tony Jefferson and outside linebacker Matt Judon each has contributed a pair of sacks. Cornerback Brandon Carr paces the secondary with three interceptions and Webb and safety Eric Weddle have two interceptions apiece.
Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi has had an inconsistent start to the 2017 season. After rushing for 122 yards on 28 carries in the opening game of the season against the Chargers, he came back with 16 yards on 11 carries in a week 2 loss to the Jets. Ajayi rushed for 130 yards on 26 carries against the Falcons, but followed that up with just 51 yards on 23 attempts against the Jets Sunday.
Miami features a trio of receiving options for either Cutler or Moore, led by Jarvis Landry, who has 45 receptions for 365 yards and three scores. Kenny Stills has added 20 receptions for 248 yards, and is the team leader with four touchdowns, and DeVante Parker has 19 catches for 236 yards and a score. Tight end Julius Thomas has also been a threat with 15 receptions for 166 yards.
Defensive end Cameron Wake put on a clinic against the Jets Sunday with 2.5 sacks, and now has six sacks on the season. Andre Branch has three sacks from his end position and tackle Ndamukong Suh has 2.5 sacks on the season. Safety Reshad Jones cornerback Bobby McCain each has recorded an interception.
How to watch Dolphins at Ravens on Thursday Night Football
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2017
Time: 8:25 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
TV Channel: CBS and NFL Network
SB Nation Coverage: The Phinsider and Baltimore Beatdown
Online Streaming: CBS Sports will be streaming the game via Amzon Prime Video Service, international viewers can use NFL Game Pass.
Radio: 95.7 The Game Online Radio Stream. Westwood One Sports will air the game across the country. Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Tony Boselli (analyst) will call the action and Scott Graham will host pregame and halftime shows.
Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (color analyst), Tracy Wolfson and Jay Feely (sideline reporters)
Odds: Ravens: -2.5; over/under: 38 (Bovada)