For maybe the first time of the 2025 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins put together a complete game. In their most recent contest against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 26, their offense scored a season-high 34 points. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a much-needed bounce-back performance, as he threw four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
As for the Dolphins defense, it held a Falcons offense led by a proven veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins to just 10 points. That marked the fewest number of points scored against Miami in a game this season.
Ahead of their Thursday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium, let’s look at three things the Dolphins need to do to pull off yet another upset.
1. A lackluster game from Lamar Jackson in his return
The expectation is that Jackson will make his return to the field on Thursday after a hamstring injury had sidelined him the last month or so. He’s an all-world talent, but with how long he’s been off the field, there’s a strong chance he will be rusty, and the Dolphins need to capitalize on that rust on Thursday.
The Dolphins can make Jackson have a rough return, but whether they will hinges largely on their pass rushers, including Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. They have six sacks between the two of them on the season, and if they can rack up another two sacks between them collectively and force Jackson into some hasty decisions, that will go a long way towards another victory.
A goal for the Dolphins’ defense should also be to limit Jackson to fewer than 250 combined passing and rushing yards. He’s almost as dangerous rushing the ball as he is throwing it, and it will take great attention to detail and focus to keep his yardage in check.
2. Tua Tagovailoa continues to take care of the ball
After Tagovailoa threw six interceptions compared to just one touchdown in his previous two games leading up to the Falcons contest, it was refreshing to see him get back to valuing possessions at a high level. Against Atlanta, he looked eerily similar to the Tagovailoa who was tearing up defenses earlier in his career and considered one of the league’s premier young signal-callers.
But in order for the Dolphins to win their second game in a row, he will have to be almost equally excellent at taking care of the football on Thursday. Tagovailoa’s objective should be to throw one interception or fewer. However, that will be no simple task, as Baltimore’s defense was great in its win against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26.
It’s imperative that Tagovailoa is aware of cornerback Nate Wiggins’ location on the field at all times with how much of an interception threat he is. He has two interceptions already this season and tallied one just recently versus the Bears. With any luck, he won’t add to his interception count on Thursday.
3. Jaylen Waddle totals triple digits in receiving yards
Since Tyreek Hill went down with a season-ending injury earlier in the campaign, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has been Tagovailoa’s favorite target. He has more than double the number of receiving yards of any Dolphin not named Hill this season, but he’s still perhaps been more streaky than fans would like.
For example, in Miami’s embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 19, he hardly made an impact. He totaled just 15 receiving yards on one reception. However, he looked the part of an elite receiver against the Falcons and accumulated a team-high 99 receiving yards as well as one receiving touchdown.
For the Dolphins to tally their first winning streak of the season, they need the version of Waddle they got against the Falcons and not the Browns. A 100-yard performance from a receiving standpoint is more than feasible for Waddle and should massively aid the Dolphins.
Plenty has to go right for the Dolphins on Thursday, but an underwhelming return for Jackson, precise passing from Tagovailoa and a standout showing from Waddle is the recipe for them to get back in the win column.
