The Miami Dolphins were playing out the final minutes of a particularly distasteful defeat Sunday when things went from bad to worse.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel lamented his decision to keep Chubb on the field in the waning minutes of what became a 56-19 loss.
“In hindsight, I would have absolutely not wanted him out there if I knew he was going to get hurt, for sure,” McDaniel said. “That’s a known part of the job that I understand fully. It doesn’t look very smart at all.”
While it appears unlikely that the sixth-year pro will return to play this season, McDaniel grimaced and held out hope for a favorable diagnosis.
If Miami can’t beat visiting Buffalo next week, the Bills would win the AFC East title and the Dolphins would start the playoffs on the road.
Miami led 10-7 before the Ravens went on a 28-3 run bridging the second and third quarters. Last year, Tagovailoa rallied Miami from a 35-14 hole to a 42-38 victory.
But this Baltimore team would have none of that. Not only did the Ravens pick off two passes and finish with three sacks, but Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson ripped apart the Miami defense for 321 yards passing and five touchdowns.
“I want to say a big shout-out to Bradley Chubb,” Tagovailoa said. “We’re thinking of you, brother, and we’re praying for you as well. It’s tough seeing one of our guys go down like that. It’s unfortunate.”
Miami’s top-ranked offense was without standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and workhorse running back Raheem Mostert, both of whom were inactive with injuries. Waddle ranks second on the team with 72 catches and 1,014 yards receiving, and last year he had 11 receptions for 171 yards and two TDs in Miami’s win at Baltimore.
Tyreek Hill had six catches for 76 yards, but he also dropped a certain touchdown in the back of the end zone.
“I played probably one of the worst games of my career,” Hill said. “As a leader of this team, I just have to erase it and move forward.”
In last year’s game between these teams, the Ravens took a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter. In this one, it was 35-13 before a touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to rookie running back De’Von Achane with 13:57 left gave Miami hope of mounting another rally.
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