Baltimore, Maryland (AP) – The Miami Dolphins were in the waning minutes of a humiliating loss on Sunday when things went from bad to worse.
The Ravens had already humbled and beaten the first-string defense when standout linebacker Bradley Chubb collapsed on the ground, flat on his back and unable to move due to a knee injury. A short while later, the sack leader of the squad was put onto a cart and driven into the tunnel.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel bemoaned his decision to keep Chubb on the field in the final minutes of a 56-19 defeat.
“In hindsight, I would have absolutely not wanted him out there if I knew he was going to get hurt, for sure,” he said. “That’s a well-known aspect of the job that I fully comprehend.” It doesn’t appear to be particularly smart.”
While it is doubtful that the sixth-year pro will play again this season, McDaniel grimaced and hoped for a positive diagnosis.
“We don’t have enough information yet to figure out what it is.” “We’ll find out (Monday),” McDaniel added.
Overall, it was a bad day for a squad that was hoping to upset the Ravens and claim the top seed in the AFC.
“We came into this game with high hopes of playing to the standard we wanted to play,” Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback, said. “When those standards aren’t met, it’s very disappointing.”
The Dolphins trailed by 22 points early in the third quarter, and a tired Tagovailoa couldn’t make up the difference in a blowout defeat that kept Miami (11-5) from capturing the AFC East.
Baltimore (13-3) crushed the Dolphins in a contest between the two best records in the conference, earning a first-round bye and the ability to play every game at home in the postseason leading up to the Super Bowl.
If the Dolphins fail to beat visiting Buffalo next week, the Bills will win the AFC East and the Dolphins would begin the playoffs on the road.
The Ravens went on a 28-3 surge between the second and third quarters to take a 10-7 lead. Last year, Tagovailoa rallied Miami from a 35-14 deficit to win 42-38.
This Baltimore crew, on the other hand, would have none of it. Not only did the Ravens intercept two passes and record three sacks, but Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson shredded the Miami defense for 321 yards and five touchdowns.
If Miami beats Buffalo, it could still be the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Dolphins haven’t won the division title since 2008, and they’ve gone more than three decades without a top-two seed.
But they’ll have to do it without Chubb, who has 11 sacks and 74 tackles this season, including six on Sunday before the injury.
“I’d like to give a special shout-out to Bradley Chubb,” Tagovailoa added. “We’re thinking of you, brother, and praying for you.” It’s difficult to witness one of our guys go down like that. It’s regrettable.”
Miami’s top-ranked offense was missing outstanding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and workhorse running back Raheem Mostert due to injuries. Waddle leads the team with 72 catches and 1,014 yards receiving, and he had 11 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in Miami’s win over Baltimore last year.
Tyreek Hill had six catches for 76 yards, but he also fumbled a score in the end zone.
“I played probably one of the worst games of my career,” Hill told ESPN. “As a leader of this team, just got to erase it and move forward.”
In the previous meeting between these teams, the Ravens led 35-14 entering the fourth quarter. In this one, it was 35-13 when Tagovailoa’s touchdown pass to rookie running back De’Von Achane with 13:57 remaining gave Miami hope of making another comeback.
However, Baltimore responded by rushing 75 yards in seven plays to make the score 42-19 with 9:38 remaining.
With just over four minutes remaining, Tagovailoa was withdrawn with a painful shoulder that he insisted was not a concern. At that moment, it was almost time for the Dolphins to focus on the season finale versus Buffalo, a repeat of a game the Bills won 48-20 at home in October.
Except the defense stayed on the field, and Chubb was penalized for playing during garbage time.
