Ravens are getting stronger and trying to take the Dolphins off their game.
The Ravens (12-3) and Dolphins (11-4) have both guaranteed postseason berths; should Baltimore prevail, they would be the conference’s top seed.
A league-low 16.3 points are allowed by the Baltimore defense against a Miami offense that leads the NFL in scoring (30.9 points per game) and total offense (411 yards per game). The Ravens’ style of physical football is undeniable, and it was evident on Christmas night when Baltimore defeated the visiting San Francisco 49ers 33-19.
The 49ers are coached by Kyle Shanahan, and the Dolphins are coached by former San Francisco assistant Mike McDaniel, who is in his second season of using a similar system. Thus, Queen’s remarks following Monday’s game essentially amounted to disparaging two teams simultaneously.
“We play a brand of football that people don’t want to play,” Queen explained. “Everyone is hoping to be here, looking cute, playing basketball on the grass, and that’s not what we’re about. You can do everything that you want; we will, in all honesty, just punch you in the mouth on every play.
“All of the pretentious, gimmick-filled stuff you do is completely irrelevant to us. Playing football still requires you to line up. That’s our attitude you still have to be touched. We want to attack individuals directly with that kind of outburst.”
Miami is winning five of its last six games as McDaniel attempts to silence his detractors. McDaniel stated on Wednesday that there would always be something to prove. “A great thing about this profession, what we do is you get an opportunity to define yourself every single game.”
McDaniel was displeased about his branding the basketball on grass. McDaniel remarked, “It’s kind of odd.” “I feel like I haven’t checked lately, but I feel like we’re pretty good at stopping the run and running the football, and that has generally not been associated with cuteness.”
The Ravens’ blowout of the 49ers was their ninth straight season of winning by 14 points or more. Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for Baltimore, stated, “I think we play better under pressure.” Nobody plays like us, in my opinion. We simply have to carry on acting in that manner and in the Raven manner.”
In the NFL MVP competition, Jackson is seen as the front-runner. In addition to rushing for 786 yards and five touchdowns this season, the 2019 MVP has tossed for 3,357 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions too.
Excellent with both his feet and arm. Jackson was described as “dynamic” by Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb. An enormous task. You play these games all day long.” Prior to the match, the Ravens had won eight of the previous nine games and five in a row. But during the last two seasons, Miami has triumphed over Baltimore.
Before departing the game in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury, safety Kyle Hamilton of the Ravens had two of his team’s five interceptions against San Francisco. He missed the Wednesday walkthrough along with guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quadriceps) and receiver Zay Flowers (calf). Linebacker Roquan Smith (pectoral) and Queen (shoulder) were two of Baltimore’s seven limited participants.
The Dolphins’ top receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, as well as running backs Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) and De’Von Achane (toe), missed practice. Terron Armstead, a left tackle (knee, ankle, back), did not attend the practice either.
One of Miami’s six limited players was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (left thumb/quadriceps). Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (wrist) and cornerback Xavien Howard (hip/thumb) were also in that group.