By AFRO Staff
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), left, and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) will lead their respective teams in a clash that will determine the AFC’s No. 1 seed on Dec. 31 in Baltimore.
(AP Photos)
The Miami Dolphins (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (12-3) will duel New Year’s Eve in Baltimore in a matchup of heavyweights as the top two teams in the AFC.
Both teams lead their respective divisions and have clinched playoff spots, but have not secured yet their places in their divisions, with the Cleveland Browns behind the Ravens by two games and the Buffalo Bills behind the Dolphins by two games.
In their last four meetings, the two teams have split the series, with the Dolphins winning the last two games. Those games, however, weren’t as important as this one.
This time around, the No. 1 seed is on the line.
After the Ravens’ huge win against the red-hot San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Day, they currently hold the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
The Dolphins, who are one game behind Baltimore, seek to claim the top seed.
As far as playoff scenarios, if the Dolphins win their last two games they can claim the No. 1 seed.
For the Ravens, they only need to defeat the Dolphins to claim No. 1 overall. However, if the Ravens lose to Miami on Dec. 31, then they must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers week 18 and the Dolphins must lose or tie with the Bills in order for the Ravens to reclaim the No. 1 seed.
At home, the Ravens are currently 5-2 and will play their final two games at M&T Bank Stadium. The Dolphins record on the road is currently 4-3 as they will finish their final two games on the road.
This game will consist of many matchups to look out for:
Potential MVP frontrunners and quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa meet once again with Tagovailo having a 2-0 series lead over Jackson in their head-to-head matchup.
Current receiving leader Tyreek Hill will likely be lined up against Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
On the other side, Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey will likely alternate coverage with Ravens wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers.
The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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