Miami (AFP) – Lamar Jackson made a triumphant return after missing three games with a right hamstring injury, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 NFL victory at Miami on Thursday. Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson, who grew up in South Florida, completed 18-of-23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns without an interception to spark the Ravens.
“I felt great just to be touching the grass,” Jackson said. “It was awesome.” Derrick Henry carried 19 times for 119 yards while Jackson ran five times for 14 yards. “He was leading us all night, picking his poison,” tight end Mark Andrews said of Jackson. “When we have 8 (Jackson’s jersey number) back there leading the charge we’re in good hands. I don’t think there was any rust or anything like that. He looked great tonight, throwing the ball, running the ball. He was commanding us.”
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Baltimore improved to 3-5, tying Cincinnati for second in the AFC North division, 1.5 games behind Pittsburgh (4-3). “Our guys stay poised and play off each other whatever we do,” Jackson said. Miami slid to 2-7 with home fans booing most of the night, some putting paper bags over their heads as the Dolphins struggled and many Tua Tagovailoa passes went woefully off target.
With the victory, the Ravens began a stretch of five consecutive games against teams with losing records. Jackson, who said his team’s poor start means “it’s do or die each and every week,” played like it. Riley Patterson’s 49-yard field goal gave the Dolphins the lead, but on their next possession, Baltimore’s Alohi Gilman forced and recovered a Tahj Washington fumble to set up Jackson’s two-yard touchdown toss to Andrews for a 7-3 Ravens lead.
Jackson connected with Andrews on a 20-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, but Patterson answered with a 43-yard field goal to lift Miami within 14-6 at halftime. The Ravens took the second-half kickoff and drove 68 yards in 11 plays over 6:51, with Jackson’s three-yard touchdown throw to Charlie Kolar ending the march. Jackson flipped a nine-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter for a 28-6 Baltimore edge, and two late turnovers sealed Miami’s fate.
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