MIAMI GARDENS — So much for one fine day in Atlanta.
The Miami Dolphins couldn’t pick up from that win on Sunday and fell to 2-7 in losing to the Baltimore Ravens 28-6 on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here are 10 thoughts on the loss:
1.Play of the Game: Tahj Washington’s first NFL catch was unforgettable — even if he wants to forget it. After the Dolphins kicked a field goal on their opening drive and Baltimore went three-and-out on its first drive, Washington took a short pass from Tua for a nice, 11-yard completion to the Dolphins 18-yard line. But Baltimore safety Alohi Gilman strip-tackled him, picked up the ball and returned the fumble 11 yards to the Miami 7. On fourth-and-2, Jackson threw to tight end Mark Andrews for the touchdown and make it 7-3. The tone of the night was set.
2. Stat of the night: 235 yards and two field goals. That’s was the Dolphins’ first half. And they held Baltimore to 109 yards and trailed 14-6 at half. How do you gain that much and have only two field goals? Well …
3. Besides the fumble, there were three missed opportunities for the Dolphins as they showed how losing teams lose:
*Miami drove 57 yards in the first quarter and lined up at the Baltimore 12 to go on fourth-and-1. Tweet. Tackle Larry Borom was penalized for a false start making it fourth-and-6. On came the field-goal unit and Riley Patterson, who had made 11 of 12 field goal attempts, missed a 35-yard attempt.
*The Dolphins started at the Baltimore 29-yard line in the second quarter thanks to Malik Washington’s 35-yard punt return and a 10-yard Ravens holding penalty. But three straight incompletions meant Patterson came on to kick a 42-yard field goal to make it 14-6.
*The Dolphins drove 67 yards late in the second quarter to face third-and-2 at the Baltimore 13. Achane ran up the middle for no gain. On fourth down, Tua and Achane crossed signals and Tua’s pass floated into an empty corner of the end zone.
4. The Dolphins defense appeared to have solved its prime problem as Baltimore ran for 30 yards on 10 carries in the first half (nine by Derrick Henry, one by Lamar Jackson). The defense controlled the play. But then Baltimore came out in the third quarter and everything changed. Henry finished with 119 yards on 19 carries as Baltimore opened up the game with 166 yards of offense and two touchdowns in the third quarter.
5. Just to continue a night of missed opportunities, the Dolphins drove 81 yards on 12 plays in the fourth quarter. With 11 minutes left, they had a last-gasp chance. But on first-and-10 from the Baltimore 14, Malik Washington ran 3 yards and fumbled, and Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey recovered.
6. Pompano Beach native Lamar Jackson returned home and showed again what the Dolphins missed in passing on him in the 2018 draft. Remember? Well, the two-time league MVP surely does. He wasn’t great in his first game back from a hamstring injury in a month in the first half as he completed 8 of 12 passes for 89 yards (and two touchdowns). But as he shook the rust off, he took over. Two third-quarter touchdown passes (3 yards to Charlie Kolar, 9 yards to Rashod Bateman) ended drives of 68 and 60 yards. For the night, Jackson completed an efficient 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns. (The Dolphins’ Tagovailoa completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards.)
6. When Ollie Gordon Jr. injured his ankle in the second quarter, it hurt in ways beyond the physical pain. The Dolphins were running the ball well as their 83 yards on 16 carries showed. De’Von Achane was the biggest part of that, of course, with 12 carries for 67 yards. Gordon had just two carries for 10 yards. But the Dolphins left Jaylen Wright inactive for the game, meaning Achane was the only running back available. That’s the risk of having just two running backs. It didn’t matter too much after Baltimore went up 28-6 in the third quarter and the Dolphins didn’t have the option to run too much.
7. Bad Call of the Night: In a 7-3 game in the second quarter, the Dolphins got the one-deep coverage they wanted (Baltimore actually played it most of the night). Tua threw deep for a 36-yard completion to Jaylen Waddle to the Baltimore 7-yard line. But running back Ollie Gordon slipped and fell in going to block Baltimore’s rushing Mike Green. The official thought Gordon dropped into Green’s legs. That’s a personal foul penalty — at least without a slip. As it was, it was an unfortunate call that meant instead of first-and-goal, the Dolphins were penalized back to their 43-yard line.
8. At 2-7 and the season long sunk, it’s time to start tracking the Dolphins’ draft spot. For now, they hold the fourth draft pick. There are three one-win teams — New Orleans, the New York Jets and Tennessee. The Dolphins and New York Giants are the only teams who could be 2-7 after this week (Las Vegas and Arizona are both 2-5).
9. Quick Hits:
The Harbaughs, Jim and John, were 2-0 in October at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins used two timeouts, one on offense, one on defense, in the third quarter.
Edge rusher Chop Robinson went into the blue medical tent in the second quarter and then had his helmet taken away, suggesting he was in concussion protocol.
The Dolphins won the toss and again elected to receive to continue their idea of late and buck the NFL mindset.
Baltimore fans appeared to outnumber Dolphins fans at Hard Rock Stadium. I’d put it at 60-40.
10. Next week: Buffalo Bills at Dolphins. The Bills play home against Kansas City on Sunday. The Dolphins get a break until the Nov. 9 game, and they’ll need it judging by recent meetings. Buffalo beat the Dolphins in the third game of the year in Orchard Park, N.Y., 31-21. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is 13-2 against the Dolphins. The glimmer of good news: He’s only 5-2 against the Dolphins in Hard Rock Stadium (one loss came on a last-minute incompletion in the end zone, and the other saw time barely run out before being able to try a 59-yard field goal that would have won the game).
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Not a lot to be positive about’ . . . breaking down loss to Ravens | VIDEO
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle talk on the sidelines Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane runs against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey celebrates a fumble recovery Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
An unhappy Miami Dolphins fan wears a paper bag over their head at the end of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Unhappy Miami Dolphins fans are seen surrounded by empty seats in the fourth quarter, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith talks with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington runs past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides at the end of a run Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips tries to tackle Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.(Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith talks to Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback coach Darrel Bevel and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle talk on the sidelines Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa walks off the field after the loss to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tahj Washington Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips reacts after the Baltimore Ravens scored a touchdown Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.(Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman recovers a fumble by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tahj Washington Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith takes the field Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. For the second week in a row, Smith is on the field instead of the booth. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II is consoled by Miami Dolphins guard Cole Strange after Gordon is injured Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Benito Jones sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich is upended after a first-down catch Thursday, in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reacts to a penalty during a fourth-down-and-one in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins fans in costume before the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins fans in costume before the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Jackson, who is from Pompano Beach, returns after three weeks out with an injury. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tom Powers of Homestead hands off a beer to a skeleton at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. Powers said he’s not just a Halloween decoration, but “he’s been waiting for a playoff win.” (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier talks to Baltimore Ravens Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta before the game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers warm up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross before the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle talk on the sidelines Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)