Dolphins Beat Ravens, Surpass Expectations In Stunning Comeback
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You could hear the keyboards clacking as the clock ticked towards halftime and the Miami Dolphins made their way to the locker room, down 28-7.
The stories that would be written? Palpably obvious, because they had been written so many times before. In Dolphins terms, another offseason of promise dashed before September was over. In terms of Tua Tagovailoa specifically? More proof that he was a game manager at best, and an outright bust at worst. More proof that the Miami Dolphins were still, twenty-three years later, still searching for the next Dan Marino
And then came the second half, and the fourth quarter that sent every sportswriter back to the drawing board.
Miami 42, Baltimore 38.
The last time Miami won at Baltimore? Marino was still playing. Twenty-five years later, Dolphins fans were finally treated to a Marino worthy performance from their starting quarterback. Tagovailoa threw six touchdowns Sunday. Six. That’s crazy enough on its own, only the third time in franchise history that it’s happened. But the fact that four of those touchdowns came in the fourth quarter? That’s…not supposed to happen. Certainly not from the Dolphins, particularly on the road against a team as formidable as the Ravens. Honestly, it’s not even supposed to happen when Tom Brady plays the Lions in Tampa. This was playing the Jets on rookie mode in Madden territory.
Want more proof on how unbelievable what you just witnessed was? The last 21-point fourth quarter comeback in the NFL was in 2010. The last time Miami did it? 2005. In terms of yardage and touchdowns, it’s just Tua and Marino for pulling this off.
However, something else rare happened yesterday for Dolphins fans. Something that is way bigger than matching statistical feats not seen from this team since Marino was dropping dimes to Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. For yesterday afternoon, for the first time in decades, the Miami Dolphins completely met their preseason expectations. Met…and quite possibly exceeded.
For much of the game, the defense did not play well. For a half, Tua looked lost and the offense looked stuck. This was not a complete game. Yet somehow, it became one of the greatest games in franchise history anyway. Because this Dolphins offense is that explosive. Tyreek Hill was brought in this season to add some spark, make things a little easier on the defense. Hill and Jaylen Waddle each cleared 170 yards, each caught two touchdowns. Miami’s defense proved time and time again last season that they could take over an entire game, and proved it again last week against the Patriots. Yesterday though? Miami proved they could win a game where the defense only plays one good quarter.
What happens when Miami plays a complete game? Who is stopping them? It’s a short list.
The Dolphins now sit at 2-0, for only the fourth time since 2002, and await a Week 3 showdown with the division rival Buffalo Bills. Looking back, let me assure you, none of those other 2-0 starts hold a candle to how impressive this start is. Those other fast starts were the result of often plodding victories over mediocre teams that would finish well below .500 on the season. This 2022 team just dispatched two fellow playoff contenders.
Beating Buffalo would be great. But it also feels like it matters a whole lot less than it did twenty-four hours ago. The Dolphins have proven this offense is different. Tua has proven he can lead a team to victory. The team already knows their defense is great, and can turn it on when needed the most.
Miami fans can spend a week believing their team can compete with anybody. And for the first time in a very long time…they’ll be right.
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