Ravens Dominate Dolphins, Clinch No. 1 Seed in AFC
Ravens Dominate Dolphins, Clinch No. 1 Seed in AFC
The Baltimore Ravens firmly established their dominance over the AFC, blasting their closest competition for the No. 1 seed, the Miami Dolphins, 56-19 on Sunday to clinch the AFC North title, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the 2023 AFC playoffs.
The Ravens’ victory is helpful to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Baltimore will have nothing to play for in their Week 18 finale against the Steelers in Baltimore next week. The Steelers will likely be playing for their postseason lives.
In a game that was billed as a potential matchup between MVP contenders, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson dominated Miami’s Tua Tagovialoa, Jackson was by the far the better player.
Jackson threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns on 18 of 21 passing for a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He also ran five times for 25 yards. Tight end Isaiah Likely hauled in two scores, with wide receiver Zay Flowers and running back Justice Hill grabbed the other two. Flowers led all receivers with three catches for 106 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown.
Tagovailoa, on the other had, threw 38 times, completing 22 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, to Devon Achane and Cedrick Wilson. But he also threw two interceptions, with Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith making an incredible one-handed takeaway.
Smith also got his hands on another one, with the tipped pass leading to a Geno Smith interception.
The Steelers did not get much other help they needed during Sunday’s 1 p.m. games. They will enter their Week 17 game against the Seahawks needing to win their final two games and hope for more help in Week 18.
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