MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins’ 2015 season has been a disappointment. However, the team provided an extended look at the future in Sunday’s 15-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Two rookie starters contributed game-breaking plays that proved to be the difference in Miami’s fifth win of the season.
It started with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, a second-round pick, who made his first start and had a key fourth-down stop at the goal line to deny the Ravens a touchdown. Phillips also tipped a pass by Ravens quarterback Matt Schaub that led to an interception by Miami safety Reshad Jones.
Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker, a first-round pick, also made his presence felt in his first NFL start with a highlight-reel 38-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Parker, who had a slow start to the season, is expected to earn a starting job next season. He has two touchdown catches in the past two games.
A pair of fifth-round picks -- running back Jay Ajayi and cornerback Bobby McCain -- also made an impact. Ajayi added a two-point conversion, and McCain started his second game of the season and finished with six tackles and a pass defended.
The win improves the Dolphins to 5-7 and doesn’t mean much for this season. But it does offer hope that several young players on the roster could become building blocks for 2016.
What it means: The Dolphins snapped a four-game losing streak against Baltimore (including playoff games). Miami also remains mathematically alive in the playoff hunt. The Dolphins would have to run the table and finish 9-7 to have hope for the postseason. They are 0-5 in the division and are behind most AFC playoff contenders on key tiebreakers.
Run, Lamar, run: Miami fired former offensive coordinator Bill Lazor last week, in part because he too often abandoned the running game. Interim offensive coordinator Zac Taylor made his mark early Sunday by running the football. Starting tailback Lamar Miller rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries. He had just 12 carries in his previous two games.
Vernon heating up: Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon has played well in recent weeks, and Sunday he had arguably his best game of the season with six tackles and 2.5 sacks. Vernon now has at least one sack in his past three games. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Miami has to decide whether it wants to pay its former third-round pick significant money or let him walk in free agency.
Ouch: Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills suffered an ankle injury in the first half and didn’t return. That left the receiving corps thin, with starter Rishard Matthews also inactive because of an ankle injury. Backup defensive tackle Robert Thomas also suffered an elbow injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.
What’s next: The Dolphins will play on Monday Night Football for the first and only time this season when they host the New York Giants next week. Miami is 2-1 against NFC East teams this season, with wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins and a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
