In Lamar Jackson's return, the Ravens took control once they found an offensive rhythm.
Opening the third quarter with back-to-back touchdown drives, Baltimore rolled to a 28-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins, an outcome that was important for multiple reasons.
The Ravens need to stack wins, regardless of how they look or who they play. While this wasn't their most dominant primetime performance, the Ravens (3-5) got the job done.
Jackson threw four touchdown passes after missing three games with a hamstring injury, and the Ravens won two straight for the first time this season. It was also their first win on the road, with away games coming up against Minnesota (Week 10) and Cleveland (Week 11) before they return to M&T Bank Stadium.
Starting 1-5 meant the Ravens had a mountain to climb, but they have begun to ascend. Here are my five thoughts after Baltimore's successful business trip to South Florida:
Baltimore's defense will keep cooking if takeaways are part of the recipe.
Three takeaways by the Ravens' defense helped propel them to victory. A forced fumble and recovery by safety Alohi Gilman in the first quarter set up Baltimore's first touchdown. In the fourth quarter, another forced fumble by Marlon Humphrey on a tackle by Teddye Buchanan and rookie Malaki Starks' first career interception put the dagger in the Dolphins' hopes.
After not getting enough takeaways earlier in the season, they're starting to come in bunches for Baltimore. It was the Ravens' third straight game with at least one takeaway, and if they keep winning the turnover battle, they'll keep winning games.
The takeaways are also a sign that Baltimore's defense is gelling. It's hard to overstate Gilman's impact since he was acquired in a trade three games ago. Gilman playing next to Starks allows Hamilton to react and roam, making the defense more diverse and disruptive. That's also a winning combination.
"The way I'm approaching it is, how can I make this team the best that I can?" Gilman said. "What is my role, and how can I bring this whole thing to life? I think that's where we at right now. We're in a good trajectory and we've got a lot of ball left."
Jackson doesn't worry about rust because he can always get rolling.
Expecting Jackson to start fast was asking a lot, but the longer he played, the better he looked.
Is it any surprise that Jackson's first two touchdown passes went to Mark Andrews? Finding Andrews is a go-to move for Jackson. The Ravens' Pro Bowl tight end has been Jackson's favorite target since they were drafted together in 2018. Jackson can find Andrews in his sleep, and Andrews knows how to find the end zone.
The Ravens were outgained 226-109 in the first half, but still led, 14-6, at intermission because the Dolphins (2-7) failed to capitalize on opportunities. Then in the second half, Jackson extended plays, spread the ball with accuracy, and Baltimore pulled away. Jackson's final stat line looked like this – 18 for 23, 204 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, 143.2 quarterback rating.
Jackson even made plays with his legs, and his 13-yard scramble in the third quarter was a key part of a touchdown drive. Meanwhile, Jackson's mere presence on the field and in the locker room is an intangible that's hard to measure.
"It's hard not to feel good when you have Lamar Jackson out there," Buchanan said.
Being healthy makes it easier to be better.
The Ravens entered this game with all 53 players on the active roster healthy, which is a good place to be heading into Halloween. It's a far cry from Week 5 when Jackson, Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Patrick Ricard, and other key players were out of the lineup and the Ravens were smoked, 44-14, by the Houston Texans.
Baltimore has one of the NFL's best rosters, and it's starting to show. Smith led the Ravens with 12 tackles. Buchanan, who was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October, had another strong game with eight tackles.
Some of the Ravens' early-season struggles were self-inflicted, but others stemmed from simply being shorthanded. Playing on Thursday night gives the Ravens even more time to rest and regroup before their next game. That's another reason to think the tide could be turning in their favor.
The Ravens are rising but have a higher ceiling.
The Ravens have gone from 1-5 to 3-5 in less than a week and have the feeling their best football is yet to come.
This was Isaiah Likely's best game (three catches, 60 yards) since returning from foot surgery. It was only Ricard's second game of the season, and Derrick Henry (19 carries, 119 yards) had another strong performance with Baltimore's Pro Bowl fullback in the lineup.
In no way do the Ravens feel they have played their best football, but they have more than half the season to reach that point while they focus on getting wins.
"It's do or die, win or go home," Jackson said. "We've all got to step it up."
Extra Points:
- With Jackson back, the Ravens' tight ends came alive. Likely, Andrews, and Charlie Kolar combined for seven catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
- The Ravens have held opponents to 17 points or fewer in three straight games and did not allow a touchdown for the first time this season.
- This was Andrews' 12th career game with multiple touchdown catches.
- Jackson had his 12th career game with four or more touchdown passes and no interceptions.
- Henry became the 12th player in NFL history with more than 12,000 career rushing yards (12,052).
- Jordan Stout had a well-placed punt for the second straight game, pinning the Dolphins deep in their own territory before Gilman's forced fumble and recovery.
