The Miami Dolphins (5-7) used some early magic to push ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (4-8), then held on late in an ugly 15-13 win. Here are some notes, quotes and observations from the game.
Notes:
Miami scored 15 point within the span of 20 seconds to jump out to a 15-0 lead in the 2nd quarter, both off of Matt Schaub interceptions. One preceded a Ryan Tannehill TD pass and the other was taken to the house. Both balls were deflected.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history, but his miss from 55 yards late in the fourth proved the difference in a two-point loss.
Miami posted just eight first downs, but still move to 4-4 under interim coach Dan Campbell. The win ends a five-game losing streak to the Ravens.
Olivier Vernon bedeviled the Ravens all day long, posting 2.5 sacks, including one on third down with the Ravens approaching field goal position with five minutes left.
Quotes:
"It's part of the game, it happens, and that was the difference in the game." -- Matt Schaub on his two second-quarter INTs.
"I got free. I got my hands up. I got the tip. Touchdown." -- Miami DE Derrick Shelby on his pick-six. "
"Those are the two plays in the game that made the difference." -- Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Schaub's two picks.
"We had to grind it out today." -- Derrick Shelby
Observations:
The Miami Dolphins are somehow still on the edge of the AFC Playoff chase at 5-7. They'll likely need to win out to make it though, and that doesn't seem likely considering the hide-and-seek state of the offense. However, there's still a glimmer of hope out there for the Phins to work with.
The Ravens aren't going anywhere with Matt Schaub at the helm. At 4-8, Baltimore's season is over, but the losses are still going to sting if Schaub can't make better decisions in the pocket. He's the X-factor for a depleted offense, and that's a troublesome thought unless Baltimore is focused on draft positioning.
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