Game Thread: Miami Dolphins Regular Season Week 1 Game Thread vs Baltimore Ravens

[FlyerFinFan]

Surprised Calhoun isn't even active? Happy to hear someone is better but you'd think he'd still be on the bench I guess we'll see...

 

[Paolo305613]

I think our inactive list this season will be a numbers game and matchups — the guys that give the team the best chance that week - will play / be active — as well as the matchup being a factor .

So, let’s not put too much stock into who is inactive today as I think it will be changed weekly unless there are actual injuries keeping guys out .

 

[Paolo305613]

Dolphins win toss and differ

 

[Paolo305613]

Mark Ingram breaks a big run after the Fins special teams does a good job of stoping the Ravens on kickoff

 

[Paolo305613]

This is the lesson I always rant about to start the game - you win the toss, you should take possession of the ball - no matter if your a D minded coach. If you want to set a tone - especially try to take advantage of the weather.

The Ravens had the right approach as to how to wear down a defense in this weather - run it early and often - use multiple backs in the process.

Hopefully the defense take on the same approach when they are on offense to give the defense a break.

 

[Paolo305613]

Ballage is first RB on the first play - the Fins make the mistake of calling a pass play on the first play

 

[Paolo305613]

Fitzpatrick throws a pick and puts the Ravens in business already.

This is the danger with having Fitzpatrick at QB - he is a great game manager but he also is quite reckless when throwing the ball. That throw was a bad decision on his part.

 

[Paolo305613]

And just like that the Fins are down 14

 

[Paolo305613]

Josh Rosen time will come earlier than many folks in here might want - it doesn't matter what the plan for the season is -- Fitzpatrick is far too wild out there when throwing the ball. He needs to settle down - there is no need for that

 

[Paolo305613]

3rd and long and it goes nowhere. I think Fitzpatrick got exactly what he wanted on that play.

He doesn't seemed concerned with making the right play so far. Those screen passes have failed the Dolphins for a long time.

 

[Paolo305613]

I am not surprised by the defensive woes - our problem is our secondary as I mentioned a few days ago when the depth chart came out - the Ravens are predictably picking at it at will.

On the bright side, if this game continues to go this bad - we might see Rosen even sooner.

 

[Paolo305613]

At least Fitzpatrick found Gesicki there - good to see a Dolphins offensive play caller call on the TE to do something.

 

[Paolo305613]

No doubt the offensive line is not helping Fitzpatrick - but the offense hasn't helped itself by not even attempting to establish the run to help the cause.

This game was essentially lost at kickoff.

 

[Paolo305613]

That Dolphins secondary picked on -- again.

 

[Paolo305613]

Nice catch by Devante Parker on another reckless throw from Fitzpatrick

 

[Paolo305613]

Preston Williams almost gets a TD but gets hit hard to dodge the ball off his hand.

As the broadcasters were saying, that was worth a challenge to see if Williams had held the ball long enough. The Dolphins settle for 3.

 

[Paolo305613]

Fins D makes an actual stop. But they really need to avoid this extra circular stuff with the Ravens - they are in no position to be engaging in that.

Grant fumbles the fair catch and there goes the fake momentum the Fins were looking to build

 

[Paolo305613]

Grant takes a small step back at the last second trying to catch the ball rather than just standing there to catch it - he caused that fumble himself

 

[Paolo305613]

Another holding penalty for the Dolphins D and now down 35-3

 

[Paolo305613]

And then the Dolphins get beat on a 4th down fake punt.