BALTIMORE _ The Miami Dolphins, under the direction of backup quarterback Matt Moore, put themselves in position to make a third consecutive dramatic comeback from a double-digit deficit Thursday night.
It was a bad plan poorly executed.
Baltimore, known for its aggressive mentality, got physical with Miami and strong-armed the Dolphins into a humiliating 40-0 loss at M&T Bank Stadium. It was the second shutout of the season for Miami, and the fifth-largest losing margin in franchise history.
It was the Dolphins' biggest losing margin since a 41-0 loss at Indianapolis in 1997.
The victory was the largest margin of victory in a shutout in Baltimore franchise history.
The clincher was a 63-yard fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown by All-Pro linebacker C.J. Mosley, during which he outran running back Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and Moore. That gave the Ravens a 26-0 lead that was in no danger of being threatened.
Or maybe the clincher was the 50-yard fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Jimmy Smith, during which he outran Kenny Stills to the end zone to give the Ravens a 40-0 lead.
Thursday's loss ended a three-game winning streak for Miami (4-3) and extended the Ravens' dominance over the Dolphins to four victories in the last five years.
It also marked the third time this season the Dolphins entered the fourth quarter with no points, joining the 20-6 loss to the New York Jets and the 20-0 loss to New Orleans.
Baltimore (4-4) maintained its lead and earned this victory despite losing quarterback Joe Flacco in the second quarter. Flacco entered the concussion protocol after absorbing a hit by linebacker Kiko Alonso that touched off a small uprising.
Flacco scrambled to his right and slid feet first to the Dolphins' 11, gaining nine yards. But Alonso hit Flacco in the head and neck area, causing Flacco to lose his helmet. Ravens center Ryan Jensen jumped on Alonso and players from both sides
Baltimore (4-4) held a 20-0 halftime deficit thanks to a first half in which the Dolphins gained just 87 yards compared to 196 for the Ravens. The Dolphins were 1 of 8 (13 percent) on third downs in the first half.
Still, the Dolphins had hope.
After all, they'd overcome deficits in the last three weeks of 17-0, 28-14 and 20-0.
And Moore, playing because Jay Cutler is suffering from cracked ribs, was on the field last week when Miami overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to score 17 points and get the 31-28 comeback victory over the New York Jets.
But there would be no such luck Thursday.
Ajayi was held to 23 rushing yards on 13 carries and Miami totaled just 196 yards while going 4 of 15 (.267) on third downs.
Baltimore was led by running back Alex Collins, who rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries.
And this was against a Miami run defense that entered the game fifth in the NFL at 82.3 yards per game and fifth in yards per carry at 3.6.
By the midway point of the fourth quarter the Dolphins' frustration erupted. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh grabbed Ravens backup quarterback Ryan Mallett by the throat (that penalty was declined) and defensive end William Hayes got into it with left tackle Austin Howard, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty that was accepted, moving the Ravens to the 1-yard line, where they later recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
Late in the game a gray cat appeared on the field, and eventually later on the Dolphins' sideline. Players seemed bemused with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips seemingly tempted to pick up the feline. Nothing of the sort happened, however, and the cat ran off the field without a fight, perhaps akin to the Dolphins.
Miami hosts Oakland on Sunday night.
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