Executive summary: Lamar Jackson made a triumphant return from a hamstring injury, throwing four touchdown passes to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, boosting their playoff hopes.
In his first game back since Week 4, Jackson completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards without an interception, demonstrating sharpness and efficiency. The Ravens’ offense clicked from the start, capitalizing on Dolphins’ mistakes to build an early lead. Jackson’s performance was particularly impressive given his three-game absence due to a right hamstring strain, and he showed no signs of rust, connecting on his first nine passes of the second half.
Jackson spread the wealth among his receivers, hitting tight end Mark Andrews for two touchdowns, including a 2-yard score on fourth down after a Miami fumble. He also found tight end Charlie Kolar and receiver Rashod Bateman for scores, with Bateman’s 9-yard catch in the third quarter extending the lead to 28-6 and effectively sealing the game. The Ravens’ balanced attack was bolstered by Derrick Henry’s 119 rushing yards, which kept the Dolphins’ defense guessing and allowed Baltimore to control time of possession.
Miami’s struggles were evident from the outset, with self-inflicted errors plaguing their efforts. A fumble by rookie Tahj Washington deep in their own territory set up an early Ravens touchdown, and a missed 35-yard field goal by Riley Patterson cost them valuable points. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards but threw an interception, and the team failed to reach the end zone despite moving the ball into scoring position multiple times.
The Dolphins’ frustrations were compounded by penalties, including a controversial tripping call on Ollie Gordon that nullified a big gain, and injuries to key players like Gordon and linebacker Chop Robinson. Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating that they need to ‘do the right things for fans to enjoy the experience’ after being booed by the home crowd throughout the game.
For the Ravens, the win marks their second straight victory after a 1-5 start, improving their record to 3-5 and keeping them in the hunt in the wide-open AFC North. Coach John Harbaugh praised his team’s resilience, calling the back-to-back wins ‘absolute must-wins’ and emphasizing that they are now ‘two games under .500’ with a chance to build momentum. Jackson echoed the urgency, saying, ‘It’s do or die. Win or go home.’
Jackson’s historic night placed him in elite company, as he became the fourth player in NFL history to throw at least four touchdowns against the Dolphins in three games, joining Tom Brady, Josh Allen, and Drew Bledsoe. This achievement underscores his value to the Ravens when healthy and focused, and it provides a spark for the team’s playoff aspirations.
Looking ahead, the Ravens travel to face the Minnesota Vikings on November 9, while the Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills on the same day. Both teams will use the extended break to address weaknesses, with Baltimore aiming to sustain its resurgence and Miami seeking to salvage a disappointing season.