*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Oct 19, 1997: -- Dolphins Run Past Ravens 24-13 --
The Dolphins used a balanced offense for the first time this
season, with Karim Abdul-Jabbar rushing for 108 yards on 22 carries
and 3 touchdowns as the Dolphins beat the Ravens in Baltimore 24-13.
The Dolphins ended up with 148 yards rushing, 189 yards passing and
recovered 2 Ravens fumbles for a pretty good all-around performance.
In the 1st quarter, the Dolphins allowed the Ravens to run
effectively on their first possession with Bam Morris, but stopped
them short of the endzone and the Ravens kicked a field goal for a 3-0
score and their only lead of the game.
The Dolphins came right back with a very effective running
game, running Karim Abdul-Jabbar 7 times for 49 yards and a touchdown
to take a 7-3 lead. After a Ravens' fumble at their 34 on their next
possession, the Dolphins came right back with a short drive that ended
in a 5 yard touchdown run by Abdul-Jabbar and a 14-3 lead. Then, to
close out the 1st quarter, the Dolphins forced another fumble by
Derrick Alexander.
In the 2nd quarter, the Dolphins were able to move the ball
well and put together another balanced drive to go 80 yards on 12
plays which ended with a 5 yard run by Abdul-Jabbar for his 3rd
touchdown of the day and a 21-3 Miami lead. The defense, for their
part, managed to keep the Ravens in check and after some problems
stopping the run on the 1st possession, stopped the Ravens the rest of
the 1st half.
The Ravens came out in the no-huddle offense in the 2nd half,
while the Dolphins stayed with their conservative attack. The Ravens
put together several drives, but were only able to get a field goal in
the 3rd quarter. The Ravens moved the ball well in short increments,
but the Dolphins defense was able to keep them out of the endzone.
For the remainder of the game, the Dolphins offense was mostly
a rushing offense and managed to chew large hunks of time off the
clock. They did manage a field goal to open the 4th quarter and open
the score to 24-6, but didn't manage another touchdown in the game.
The Ravens, for their part, put together 2 impressive drives
in the 4th quarter against the Dolphins' zone defense, but after
getting a touchdown in the middle of the 4th quarter to cut the score
to 24-13, the Dolphins offense responded with a time consuming drive
that basically left the Ravens without enough time for 2 scores.
The Ravens responded by driving down to the Dolphins' 2, but
when Terrell Buckley knocked away the ball on 4th down in the endzone,
that gave the Dolphins the ball back with under 30 seconds to play and
preserved the 24-13 victory.
The Dolphins actually ended the day with less total offensive
yardage than the Ravens, because the Ravens went to a total passing
attack in the 2nd half, but they did control the clock and they did
have a good running game for the first time this year.
The Dolphins had no sacks on Testaverde, but did get some
pressure on him, despite the lack of Jason Taylor. Trace Armstrong,
in particular, had a good game, making some critical plays and putting
a lot pressure on Testaverde. The Dolphins' defense also stopped Bam
Morris after the Ravens' first possession, eventually holding him to
44 yards on 13 carries.
Marino was not sacked and while he didn't throw for a
touchdown, he did complete 70% of his passes, didn't throw an
interception and helped the offense to convert 9 of 13 third down
tries and control the ball for 35 minutes and 12 seconds of the game.
My Comments:
This was the most complete game that the Dolphins have played
this year. As they continue to improve a little bit each week, this
week it was the running game's turn. The running game is still not
where it should be, despite the performances this week, but it was
very effective today and will now give opposing defensive coordinators
one more thing to worry about.
The thing that disappointed me most about the running game was
the inability to get half a yard on 4th and 1 late in the game. If
the Dolphins make that play, the game is essentially over. Instead,
it gave the Ravens one more shot to try for a comeback.
The Dolphins still don't have a power running attack.
The pass defense was hampered today by the lack of Jason
Taylor and the lack of an effective pass rush for most of the game was
readily apparent. Still, Trace Armstrong stepped up and had a good
day and while the Dolphins gave up too much yardage, they didn't give
up a lot of points.
Overall, however, I guess I shouldn't complain too much. This
win, coupled with the Patriots' loss, puts the Dolphins into a tie for
1st place in the AFC East at 5-2.
And the Broncos' loss to the Raiders (that "Inside the NFL"
curse is working just fine, thank you), means that the '72 Dolphins
can open their champagne tonight and celebrate the perfect season.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
[email protected], DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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