The Miami Dolphins will host the Baltimore Ravens at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday as they try and halt a two-game skid.
Baltimore and Miami sit at 4-7 this year in what is likely a lost season for both squads. Despite the identical records, the teams are headed in different directions. While the Dolphins have lost two straight, the Ravens have won their last two games.
The Dolphins are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but it is highly improbable that they will qualify. Even if Miami wins its final five games, it would need a great deal of help. The Dolphins do have something to play for however, as the fate of the front office and the coaching staff may rest in these final games. If the team can show some promise, owner Stephen Ross could opt to not completely clean house after the year.
The Ravens will be without quarterback Joe Flacco who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11. Matt Schaub replaced Flacco last game and did decently enough to win, so it will be no easy task for Miami's defense. Schaub threw for 232 yards in last Sunday's win with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Ryan Tannehill will hope to throw a little less than he did in last week's loss to the New York Jets. In that game, Miami's QB threw the ball up a season-high 58 times. Ultimately, it was a wasted effort as his team fell by 18 points. Following the loss, the Dolphins fired offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. This game will be the first that will be under the control of Zac Taylor who replaced Lazor.
Lamar Miller only has five carries in last week's game and Taylor will likely call more running plays in this one. In order for Miami to succeed, it will need to get its ground game going. A new voice in charge of the offense should help at this point following several poor games.
The Dolphins and Ravens will kick off Sunday's game at 1:00 p.m.
