BALTIMORE — The Ravens clinched the AFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a 56-19 victory over the Dolphins.
Here’s the Report Card
Offense
Quarterbacks — Lamar Jackson had another MVP-caliber performance. He was 18-for-21 for 321 yards with five touchdowns. He had a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He also ran for 35 yards on six carries. Backup Tyler Huntley also threw for a 19-yard score.
Grade: A
Running backs — Gus Edwards had 68 yards on 16 carries and wore the Dolphins down. Justice Hill managed 48 yards on three carries and caught five passes for 64 yards. He’s been a consistent weapon. Overall, the Ravens ran for 160 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.
Grade: A
Wide receivers — Zay Flowers had three catches for 103 yards with a touchdown. Flowers does an exceptional job getting open, and he is the favorite target for Jackson. Flowers also has 842 receiving yards, surpassing Torrey Smith’s rookie record of 841 receiving yards in 2011. Tight end Isaiah Likely recorded a 35-yard touchdown by running over several potential tacklers. Odell Beckham Jr. made an acrobatic catch on the 2-yard line that set up a touchdown run by Edwards.
Grade: A
Offensive line — Jackson had plenty of time to sit in the pocket and make throws. Ben Cleveland played well in place of starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee, quad). Both starting tackles, Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley, had a solid game.
Grade: A
Defense
Linebackers — Inside linebacker Roquan Smith was all over the field and made his first interception of the season. He finished with seven tackles and two passes defensed. Patrick Queen finished with six tackles. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh had sacks.
Grade: A
Defensive line — Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike recorded his 13th sack of the season. Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane had 107 yards on 14 carries. He also caught four passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. Nose tackle Michael Pierce had three tackles before leaving the game with a head injury.
Grade: C
Secondary — The Ravens were shorthanded with safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) and cornerback Brandon Stephens (ankle) out. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey injured his calf in the first quarter and did not return. Still, this group performed well. Cornerbacks Ronald Darby, Arthur Maulet, Rock Ya-Sin, and Daryl Worley showed the depth of the team. Safeties Geno Stone (one interception), Marcus Williams, and Andrew Adams provided solid support. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 22-for-38 for 237 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Grade: A
Special Teams — Jordan Stout averaged 35.5 yards on two punts. Justin Tucker did not attempt a field goal but made all of his extra points. Hill had a 78-yard kickoff return to open the third quarter that set up a touchdown.
Grade: A
Coaching — Coach John Harbaugh has guided his team to the AFC North title despite numerous injuries. Todd Monken has been a revelation as the offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald will be on the short list for any head-coaching vacancy.
Grade: A