The imminent and heralded return to South Florida for Florida native, Lamar Jackson, did not go according to script. Thursday night’s Ravens/Dolphins matchup featured a seemingly never-ending chain of surprises. Many of these were direct results of the Dolphins’ swarming defense. The pundits didn’t predict it but the Dolphins defense made plays all game long. To Lamar Jackson, the 22-10 Dolphins victory was not what he was expecting when his 6-2 Ravens came to meet the 2-7 Dophins in South Florida. Miami’s instinctive ballhawk, Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, carved the biggest imprint in this midseason meeting.
“X” is the determining factor in this emotional roller coaster
The unforeseen developments in the game were more than even Lamar Jackson seemed prepared for emotionally. One could see the Ravens’ MVP pacing the sideline, with a slew of excess energy to give vent to. An unusual amount of frustration, for Lamar, found its target on his teammates. As he walked up and down his sideline with tension visibly brimming just below the surface, he could be seen lighting into his own receivers as well as other teammates that happened to be in his wake. The frustration would not find cathartic release on the field because even after Lamar completed a series of passes and put together an impressive drive, the Ravens had a hard time driving into the teeth of the Miami defense and finding the end zone.
It might be that Lamar was trying to turn the tide of emotion and give his side an edge. It seemed to work out that way because the Ravens put together an efficient series of plays on the next drive. One play that looked especially promising was a pass caught by Ravens’ receiver Sammy Watkins. However, the ball was in Watkins’ arms just long enough to count as a catch on the stat sheet. The Dolphins’ “X” factor thwarted any scoring ambitions the Ravens might have entertained.
The X Factor has no equal today
When Xavien Howard got involved, he not only stripped the ball but took it the 49 yards all the way to the house. This was an incredibly powerful momentum shift because while the Dolphin offense had done some good things, they just were not able to get any touchdowns. They had been shut down in the end zone at every opportunity. On the other side, this had to be very frustrating for everyone in Raven nation but especially for their quarterback from Pompano Beach.
The Dolphin defense found a way to control and dominate an unorthodox game on both sides of the ball. Robert Hunt, the Dolphins’ right guard, caught a pass and tried to make an over-the-top athletic play for a touchdown. He had, in effect, intercepted an errant pass intended for running back Myles Gaskin. The game featured another unexpected development in Miami’s quarterback controversy when starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, was told he would not be returning to the game after he had his knee looked at on the sideline. The disappointment on his face was clear but Tua Tagovailoa would not only go back in the game, but he would stay in even after he fumbled the ball near the line of scrimmage.
Tua had been solid and he played with poise. However, his efficient game management was threatened when he fumbled the ball on a routine play. A teammate showed tremendous instincts and fast reaction time as he quickly dove on the ball. However, the Dolphins lost too many yards in the melee and that was the end of that drive.
Ravens try to beat Dolphins at their own game
The Ravens wanted to outdo the fantastic play Xavien had made earlier in the evening but the Ravens’ linebacker Patrick Queen misjudged the situation and missed the opportunity to recover the fumble by just falling on the ball. This gave Dolphins’ offensive lineman, Liam Eichenberg, the extra second he needed to lunge for the ball and the “Fins” were able to punt the ball and control the field position battle. This failed attempt by the Ravens only served to highlight just how difficult Howard’s earlier play was. He had to have the sang-froid to keep the ball tucked away and maintain possession as he bobbed and wove through a myriad of Ravens who were unable to bring him down.
Xavien had 49 yards to cover to make it to the endzone. Miami Coach Brian Flores mentioned his team’s X factor when he told the media: “X, he’s done a great job for us and he showed up again, made a big play in a big moment.” Xavien’s scoop and score was overall just a microcosm in the context of a very fast defense that went after everything full speed. The Dolphins committed to a cover 0 defense that seemed to stifle every big play attempt by the Ravens.
Howard is a second-round pick that the Dolphins acquired in the 2016 draft. He has been a Dolphin ever since. He is on the NFL’s radar as a force on defense and has been acknowledged for his prowess as a Pro Bowl selection. On Thursday Night Football, Xavien was the X factor that masterfully helped his team gash the visiting Ravens’ offense.