The Miami Dolphins (2-6) host the Baltimore Ravens (2-5) in what feels less like a prime-time showcase and more like a pride fight between two teams trying to salvage their seasons. The Hard Rock Stadium lights will be blazing Thursday night as two AFC squads desperate for momentum collide.
Both franchises entered 2025 with playoff expectations. Both have spent most of the year watching those dreams crumble. Now, with eight weeks in the books, Thursday Night Football offers a chance at redemption, or another brutal reminder of how far they’ve fallen.
The Ravens’ Resurrection Begins Now
Baltimore’s 30-16 victory over Chicago last Sunday felt like exhaling after holding your breath for a month. The Ravens had dropped four straight, looking nothing like the Super Bowl contender everyone predicted in August.
But against the Bears, something clicked.
The defense held Chicago out of the end zone through the air for the first time all season. Derrick Henry bulldozed his way past Walter Payton on the all-time rushing touchdown list. And most importantly, the team played clean football: no turnovers, no self-inflicted wounds.
Now comes the real test: Can they do it again? Can they string together consecutive quality performances? Because one win doesn’t erase a 2-5 start, especially when you’re staring up at the Steelers in your own division.
Lamar’s Return Means Everything
The biggest storyline Thursday night? Lamar Jackson is back. The two-time MVP has been sidelined since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, forcing Baltimore to survive without its offensive catalyst. They didn’t survive well, hence the four-game skid.
Jackson’s dual-threat ability transforms Baltimore’s entire offensive identity. He makes the run game even more dangerous (as if a healthy Henry wasn’t scary enough). He extends plays with his legs when protection breaks down. And he can torch defenses deep when they stack the box against Henry.
For Miami’s defense, which just held Kirk Cousins and the Falcons to 10 points, Jackson presents a completely different challenge. You can’t just pin your ears back and rush the passer. You can’t leave the middle of the field open. One wrong step, one blown assignment, and Jackson’s gone: either with his legs or his arm.
Miami’s Momentum vs. Baltimore’s Desperation
The Dolphins are coming off their most complete performance of the season, a 34-10 dismantling of Atlanta that felt like discovering water in the desert. Tua Tagovailoa looked sharp. The run game found rhythm. The defense suffocated one of the league’s better offenses.
But here’s the thing about momentum in the NFL: it’s fleeting. What works against Cousins on Sunday might not work against Jackson on Thursday, especially on a short week when your body’s still recovering and your game plan prep is compressed.
Miami’s defense will need to be special. They’ll face a Ravens rushing attack that ranks second in yards per carry (5.3) and a defense that, despite its statistical struggles, just showed it can dominate when locked in.
The Matchups That Matter
Baltimore’s rush offense vs. Miami’s run defense: This is where games get won or lost. The Dolphins allow the fourth-most yards per carry in the league. Henry runs through arm tackles like they’re tissue paper. If Baltimore establishes the run early, Tua and company might not see the ball enough to make a difference.
Miami’s passing attack vs. Baltimore’s secondary: Here’s where the Dolphins can exploit Baltimore. The Ravens have given up the highest completion percentage and second-highest passer rating in the league. Jaylen Waddle has topped 95 receiving yards in three of his last four. De’Von Achane has been a matchup nightmare for nine straight games. If Tua gets time—and he should, given Baltimore’s sack numbers—Miami can move the ball.
Short week factor: Both teams are dealing with it, but Miami’s coming off a more physical game. They dominated Atlanta in the trenches, which is great for confidence but hell on your body when you have to turn around and do it again four days later.
The Bigger Picture
This game matters beyond just Thursday night. For Baltimore, it’s about building something sustainable. They face Minnesota, Cleveland, the Jets, and Cincinnati in four of their next five. That’s a stretch where they should win three or four games, if they’re actually good. Lose to Miami, and suddenly you’re 2-6 with the division slipping away.
For Miami, it’s about proving last week wasn’t a mirage. They’re 4-2 against the spread in their last six games despite being 2-4 straight up. They’re playing better than their record suggests. But moral victories don’t matter in late October when you’re four games under .500.
The Verdict
Baltimore’s talent advantage is real. Jackson’s return tips the scales. Henry’s presence in the backfield forces Miami to sell out against the run, opening up play-action opportunities. And despite their defensive struggles, the Ravens held Chicago to 16 points, showing they can still get stops when it matters.
But Miami’s playing with house money. The pressure’s off after last week’s blowout. They’re home. They’ve seen Jackson struggle against them before (remember that 22-10 Thursday night upset in 2021?). And sometimes, all it takes is one team believing while the other’s still trying to figure itself out.
This feels like a game that comes down to the fourth quarter, Ravens’ talent versus Dolphins’ desperation. In a league where momentum is everything and both teams are grasping for it, expect chaos. Expect big plays. Expect a game that matters way more than the records suggest.
