Operation Ground Control: Dolphins’ Blueprint for Beating th...

Operation Ground Control: Dolphins’ Blueprint for Beating the Ravens

The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for one of their biggest tests of the season as they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens — a matchup that will demand discipline, toughness, and complete focus. While last week’s win brought a sigh of relief for a team desperate to turn things around, this upcoming game will reveal whether or not we can be serious about them actually going on a run. For Miami, it all starts with one thing: stopping the run. Outside of last week’s impressive performance against Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, the Dolphins have struggled mightily to contain opposing running backs this season. The front seven finally showed some bite, holding Robinson in check and forcing the Falcons into uncomfortable passing situations. That kind of effort needs to carry over — and then some — because the challenge this week is far greater. The Ravens’ ground game presents a double-headed monster: Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Henry remains one of the most physically punishing runners in football, capable of wearing down a defense with sheer size and persistence. Containing him will require gang tackling, gap discipline, and a full 60 minutes of physical football. Then there’s Jackson, the reigning MVP candidate, trying to bounce back from a recent hamstring injury. Even if he’s not at full strength, Jackson’s mobility and creativity outside the pocket can wreck even the best-laid defensive plans. Realistically, it’s nearly impossible to shut down both players for an entire game completely. But Miami must limit its explosive plays and keep the Ravens in long-yardage situations. That means playing sound football, communicating at all levels, and staying mentally sharp — even if Baltimore breaks a few early runs. The key will be consistency and intensity for all four quarters, regardless of what the scoreboard says. On the offensive side, the Dolphins can help their defense by keeping the ball out of Baltimore’s hands. Last week’s performance showed encouraging signs of balance — heavy personnel, smart execution, and a much-improved run-pass rhythm. That approach not only takes pressure off Tua Tagovailoa but also prevents the offense from becoming one-dimensional. When Miami runs the ball effectively, it opens up the play-action game and allows it to dictate the tempo instead of reacting to it. While these aren’t the same Ravens we’ve seen in past seasons — especially on the defensive side — they still play a physical, hard-nosed brand of football. That’s often been Miami’s Achilles’ heel. Baltimore knows what the Dolphins like to do schematically, and they’ll challenge them to match that intensity for four quarters. So, the question becomes: will the Dolphins rise to the occasion, or will this be another moment where they shrink under the pressure? If Miami can control the ground game on both sides of the ball, they’ll give themselves a real shot to pull off a statement win. But if they can’t handle the physicality, the Ravens will remind them — once again — what true toughness looks like.

For Miami, it all starts with one thing: stopping the run.

Outside of last week’s impressive performance against Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, the Dolphins have struggled mightily to contain opposing running backs this season. The front seven finally showed some bite, holding Robinson in check and forcing the Falcons into uncomfortable passing situations. That kind of effort needs to carry over — and then some — because the challenge this week is far greater.

The Ravens’ ground game presents a double-headed monster: Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Henry remains one of the most physically punishing runners in football, capable of wearing down a defense with sheer size and persistence. Containing him will require gang tackling, gap discipline, and a full 60 minutes of physical football.

Then there’s Jackson, the reigning MVP candidate, trying to bounce back from a recent hamstring injury. Even if he’s not at full strength, Jackson’s mobility and creativity outside the pocket can wreck even the best-laid defensive plans.

Realistically, it’s nearly impossible to shut down both players for an entire game completely. But Miami must limit its explosive plays and keep the Ravens in long-yardage situations. That means playing sound football, communicating at all levels, and staying mentally sharp — even if Baltimore breaks a few early runs. The key will be consistency and intensity for all four quarters, regardless of what the scoreboard says.

On the offensive side, the Dolphins can help their defense by keeping the ball out of Baltimore’s hands. Last week’s performance showed encouraging signs of balance — heavy personnel, smart execution, and a much-improved run-pass rhythm. That approach not only takes pressure off Tua Tagovailoa but also prevents the offense from becoming one-dimensional.

When Miami runs the ball effectively, it opens up the play-action game and allows it to dictate the tempo instead of reacting to it.

While these aren’t the same Ravens we’ve seen in past seasons — especially on the defensive side — they still play a physical, hard-nosed brand of football. That’s often been Miami’s Achilles’ heel. Baltimore knows what the Dolphins like to do schematically, and they’ll challenge them to match that intensity for four quarters.

So, the question becomes: will the Dolphins rise to the occasion, or will this be another moment where they shrink under the pressure? If Miami can control the ground game on both sides of the ball, they’ll give themselves a real shot to pull off a statement win. But if they can’t handle the physicality, the Ravens will remind them — once again — what true toughness looks like.