- Baltimore Ravens focused on securing a victory against the Miami Dolphins to maintain their momentum in the regular season.
- Ravens aim to eliminate uncertainties by beating the Dolphins and securing the AFC’s top seed.
- Ravens are aware of the challenge posed by the Dolphins and are determined to stay focused and finish strong.
The Baltimore Ravens are approaching their game against the Miami Dolphins with a clear message: make sure they come away with a victory. While their recent win against the San Francisco 49ers was impressive, the Ravens need to ensure it doesn’t become the peak of their season. National praise and individual accolades are great, but they hold limited value this late in the season. The focus now is on beating the Dolphins and securing the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. The margin of victory doesn’t matter; all that matters is getting the win.
With nine wins in their last ten games, the Ravens don’t want a stumble in Week 17 to change the course of the regular season. They don’t want to rely on other teams’ results in Week 18 or have the division title hinge on a Ravens-Steelers game, especially when the Cleveland Browns are also vying for the AFC North title. Beating the Dolphins eliminates such uncertainties and allows the Ravens to plan for the playoffs, deciding which starters to rest against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the following week.
However, beating the Dolphins won’t be an easy task. Miami is the only team to have defeated the Ravens with a healthy Lamar Jackson in both 2021 and 2022. The memory of blowing a 21-point lead against the Dolphins last year is still fresh, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong. The Ravens have learned from that collapse and are determined to be at their best on Sunday.
After a physically and emotionally demanding win against the 49ers, the Ravens face another tough opponent in the Dolphins on a short turnaround. The Dolphins have everything to gain by pulling off an upset, as a win would propel them to the top spot in the AFC and secure their first AFC East division title since 2008. The Ravens must stay focused and treat this game as if they’re already in playoff mode.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson believes in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion, especially when they are underdogs. The Ravens have a group of players ready to prove themselves and are determined to stay locked in to achieve their goals.
Overall, the Ravens’ mantra for the week and the rest of the season is clear: make sure to come away with the victory, no matter the circumstances.