NFL Week 17 Game Preview: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Lamar Jackson Brace for Records as Baltimore Ravens Meet Miami Dolphins

Published 12/28/2023, 1:53 PM EST

The number one seed in the AFC is set to take on the number two seed in the same conference on New Year’s Eve. If the Miami Dolphins win the game, both teams will become 12-4. However, if the Baltimore Ravens win the game, they will be the clear leaders of the AFC at 13-4. Although it’s not a life-or-death situation for either team, it will be a nail-biting game for fans who will be treated to two of the best teams in the entire NFL going head-to-head against each other.

Ahead of the game, which team has the upper hand? In the last game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens were the underdogs, and QB Lamar Jackson used it as fuel to push him to win the game. However, in this game, the Dolphins seem to be the underdogs.

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How does the Miami Dolphins’ passing game compare to that of the Ravens?

When the last time Tua Tagovailoa found himself facing the Ravens, he led an epic comeback. The Dolphins were lagging by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and then in a miraculous game, against all odds, they won the game 42-38. In the game, the Ravens’ defense had gaps which Hill exploited to score two touchdowns. But things are different now.

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Hill, as well as wideout Jaylen Waddle, are suffering from an ankle injury. If Waddle is ruled out for the game, tight end Durham Smythe will get to play a more important role. “The Ravens lead the NFL in sacks.” And this is bad news for the Dolphins. Tua should try to release the ball quickly if he wants to avoid being taken down by the defense.

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Jackson, on the other hand, has proven himself adept at evading pressure and allowing his wideouts to steer clear of the opponent’s defense. He has also found a new favorite target other than veteran OBJ, in Zay Flowers. He leads the franchise in passing yards by a rookie at 752. But as everyone knows, Jackson is perhaps the greatest rushing QB in the league right now. Will that prove costly for the Dolphins?

Can Lamar manage to run the ball to victory?

Jackson leads the team in terms of rushing yards at 786. To limit his action on the gridiron, the Dolphins will have to assign man-to-man coverage to Jackson and try to defend runs designed for him. However, they will also need to watch out for Gus Edwards, who has scored 12 rushing touchdowns so far and has recorded 694 rushing yards.

Miami’s defense ranks fifth in the league against the run, but the Ravens’ offensive running game ranks first in the league. The Dolphins’ rushing game ranks fifth in the league, while the Ravens’ defense against the run ranks. So, the Ravens’s strength could turn out to be an overlooked strength for the Dolphins as well.

The Dolphins will take on the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on December 31 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

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I am a hardcore believer in the ?Mamba Mentality?, which certainly applies to the NFL. The sport is not just about physical prowess but also demands a powerful mindset. Growing up, I spent time with athletes on the neighborhood soccer field.

Edited by:

Garima Yadav

NFL Week 17 Game Preview: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Lamar Jackson Brace for Records as Baltimore Ravens Meet Miami Dolphins

How does the Miami Dolphins’ passing game compare to that of the Ravens?

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Can Lamar manage to run the ball to victory?