Ravens at Dolphins halftime report: Miami leads 10-7 at midway point

The Miami Dolphins jumped out to an early lead on the Baltimore Ravens in their Week 14 contest, with the winner setting themselves up to claim a playoff spot this season. The game started with Miami winning the coin toss and electing to defer to the second half. The Ravens received the opening kickoff, but would only gain nine yards before having to punt on a three-and-out.

Baltimore entered the game with the second fewest three-and-outs on the season. Their total quickly jumped in the first quarter, with the opening drive not being the only time the Ravens would not gain a first down.

Miami took their opening drive 36 yards on seven plays, including a 15-yard run from Lamar Miller on the first play from scrimmage. While the drive would stall at the Baltimore 28-yard line, Caleb Sturgis would connect on the 46-yard field goal attempt and give Miami a 3-0 lead.

The three-and-out fest for Baltimore would get its second helping on their second possession, gaining a negative-one-yard on the three plays, thanks to a Jelani Jenkins five-yard tackle-for-loss and a false start penalty.

The Dolphins took possession for the second time on the day, and immediately began working their way down the field again. Aided by a couple of Ravens neutral infraction penalties, the drive also saw quarterback Ryan Tannehill start to get into rhythm and find multiple receivers. Connecting with five different players on the drive, Tannehill saw gains of 12 yards to Dion Sims, 13 yards to Mike Wallace, and three-yard touchdown pass to Brian Hartline.

Baltimore would answer with a third straight three-and-out.

After a three-and-out from the Dolphins to open the second quarter,  the Ravens were finally able to gain a first down, then strung it together to move down the field on Miami's defense. Baltimore would move 74 yards on 10 plays against the Dolphins, working their way down to the Miami 12-yard line. Facing a 3rd-and-7, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco dropped back and looked toward the endzone, where Dolphins cornerback R.J. Stanford snagged the ball out of the air and ended the threat.

Miami would gain a couple of first downs on the drive, but would also see a penalty and a sack putting an end to any rhythm the offense had. The Dolphins would gain 19 yards on eight plays before having to punt the ball away.

Baltimore would find their own rhythm on the next drive, moving down to the Miami two yard line before Flacco would connect with Steve Smith, Sr., for the touchdown. The drive moved 97 yards in 3:06 to pull within three of the Dolphins as the first half concluded.

The Dolphins will get the ball to start the second half.