Ravens vs. Dolphins: Complete Week 14 Preview for Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins are right in the thick of the playoff race, and they'll face off in a Week 14 showdown that will go a long way in deciding which team makes it to the playoffs.

For the 7-5 Ravens, they are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the San Diego Chargers. Baltimore led 33-27 with just over two minutes left, but Philip Rivers hit Eddie Royal for the game-winner with just 38 seconds left to beat the Ravens.

As for the Dolphins, they currently hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC and are tied with five other teams for the final spot.

For them to make it to the playoffs, they need to win out at home. With games against Baltimore, the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets in the final month, Miami is in great position to win 10 games.

This should be enough for a playoff spot. A road game at New England next week will be a difficult task, which makes beating Baltimore this week even more important.

Here is my preview of this game for Baltimore. 

News and Notes

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Haloti Ngata Suspended

The Ravens were hit with a devastating blow on Thursday when the team announced All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata had been suspended for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. The violation carries an automatic four-game suspension, meaning he is out for the rest of the regular season. 

Ngata owned up to his mistake and said it was Adderall that caused him to fail his drug test, per the team's official Twitter account. This will leave the Ravens without their defensive captain as well as a truly elite defensive lineman. 

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Ngata is seventh on the team with 16 stops (tackles causing an offensive failure) and fourth with 14 quarterback hurries. His 18.4 grade is the second best of any Ravens defender.

Ngata is constantly wreaking havoc in opponents' backfields, and it's going to be very hard for the Ravens to replace him. 

Timmy Jernigan Ready to Start

The Ravens are now without defensive tackle Haloti Ngata for the rest of the year, meaning rookie Timmy Jernigan is now in the line to start. 

Jernigan has had a solid rookie season while backing up Ngata as well as playing at the other two defensive line spots at times. He's prepared for this opportunity, and though it comes in an unexpected way, Jernigan is ready for a starting role. Via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun:

"

I really feel like the film doesn’t lie. The snaps I’ve been able to play this year, I feel like I’ve been productive. Right now, I have to step into a bigger role and do it down in and down out for the entire game.

That’s all I’ve been wanting ever since I’ve been here is a shot. Playing 15, 17 snaps a game, it’s tough to really get it going. Now, I have an opportunity to show the world that I can actually play at this level.

"

In six games this season, Jernigan has registered six tackles and two sacks. His time is now, and he needs to take this starting opportunity and run with it. The Ravens are counting on him to do so. 

Injury Report

Nick Wass/Associated Press

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Brown, Marlon	WR	Concussion	DNP	FP	-	-
Campanaro, Michael	WR	Thigh	FP	FP	-	-
Daniels, Owen	TE	NIR	-	DNP	-	-
Forsett, Justin	RB	Knee	DNP	DNP	-	-
Gillmore, Crockett	TE	Back	LP	DNP	-	-
Jacobs, Tramain	DB	Thigh	LP	LP	-	-
McClellan, Albert	LB	Thigh	LP	LP	-	-
Mosley, C.J.	ILB	Wrist	FP	FP	-	-
Smith, Daryl	LB	NIR	-	DNP	-	-
Smith, Torrey	WR	Knee	DNP	DNP	-	-
Tyson, DeAngelo	DE	NIR	-	DNP	-	-
Upshaw, Courtney	OLB	Hand	LP	LP	-	-
Zuttah, Jeremy	G/C	Ankle	DNP	DNP	-	-

• Practice Status
• DNP = Did not participate in practice
• LP = Limited Participation in Practice - Less than 100% of a player's normal repetitions
• FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions

In total six starters missed Thursday's practice, and several of those players are now looking iffy to play Week 14 versus the Dolphins. 

Starting center Jeremy Zuttah missed Wednesday and Thursday while dealing with an ankle injury, while running back Justin Forsett sat out both days while dealing with a knee injury.

Both of those guys have played in every game this year, but their status for Week 14 is uncertain. Starting receiver Torrey Smith continues to sit out after leaving the Week 13 loss to San Diego with a knee injury.

Injury report courtesy of BaltimoreRavens.com.

Matchups to Watch

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

WR Steve Smith vs. CB Brent Grimes

The Dolphins defense has been stout this year, and much of that is due to its ability to stop the pass. It ranks second in pass defense, and cornerback Brent Grimes' skillfulness in shutting down opposing receivers is a big reason why.

Grimes has 12 pass deflections and has picked off five passes. He'll likely be matched up with the Ravens' top receiver in Steve Smith. 

The elder Smith leads the team in catches (54), receiving yards (819, first downs (33) and yards after catch (304). If Smith can win this battle, it should help keep the Ravens offense moving the ball effectively. 

However, if Grimes gets the better of Smith, it could slow down Baltimore and force Joe Flacco to throw to less reliable targets more. 

DEs Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon vs. OTs Eugene Monroe and Ricky Wagner

As mentioned above, Miami's pass defense is one of the best in the NFL, and there may not be a better pass-rushing duo than defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. Wake and Vernon have combined for 15 sacks and five forced fumbles. 

They'll be matched up with Ravens offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Ricky Wagner. They've been solid in pass protection, allowing just a combined three sacks and six QB hits, per Pro Football Focus. 

How well Wagner and Monroe can keep those two off Joe Flacco will greatly impact how well the passing game does against one of the NFL's best defenses. 

Prediction

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Baltimore and Miami are right in the thick of the playoff race, and this Week 14 showdown will go a long way in deciding which team makes it to the playoffs.

For the Ravens, this has to be treated like an elimination game. With seven non-division leaders sporting a record of 7-5 or better in the AFC, Baltimore can't afford to lose to the Dolphins with just four games left.

There are too many teams fighting for one of two wild-card playoff spots, and a loss would severely damage the Ravens' chances.

Baltimore will come out and play with purpose in this game, and the defense will rebound from its meltdown last week to shut down the Dolphins offense and hold it in check.

On the other side, Justin Forsett has a big game running the ball, while Joe Flacco throws for two scores to lead the Ravens to a bounce-back win. 

Ravens beat Dolphins 24-16