Baltimore Ravens

Six Points: Ravens vs. Dolphins

Published Dec. 4, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Less than one week after firing their third coach of the season, the Miami Dolphins will take the field against the Baltimore Ravens. Bill Lazor is out as the team's offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor will take over as Miami's play caller. He promises to bring balance to the offense with Sunday being his first chance to prove it.

The Ravens have struggled with injuries this season and will have Matt Schaub at the helm. After throwing two interceptions in Monday night's wild victory, he'll look to minimize mistakes with a depleted group around him.

Here are three keys to the game for both the Ravens and the Dolphins.

Can you beat the Crowd's Line? Submit your final score prediction below. Good luck!

1. Don't throw interceptions

Matt Schaub picked up right where he left off in the interception department Monday night, throwing two picks, including one returned for a touchdown. Schaub needs to revert to being a cautious game manager and offensive coordinator Marc Trestman needs to minimize as much risk in his passing game plan as possible.

2. Run right at the Dolphins

The new tandem of Javorius Allen and Terrance West and success on the ground Monday night against what was the worst rushing defense in the league in Cleveland. Now that honor belongs to the Dolphins. With the left side of the Ravens offensive line banged up, Allen and West should run behind Alll-Pro right guard Marshal Yanda as much as possible. The more success in the run game would also mean less throws for Matt Schaub, which equals less chances for interceptions.

3. Attack Miami's offense up the middle

Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey hasn't practiced since leaving Sunday's loss against the Jets with a foot injury. Even if he does manage to play, his mobility and balance could be a big question mark. Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan need to test him out early with some stunts and bull rushes to find the answer.

1. Establish the run under new play caller Zac Taylor

With offensive coordinator Bill Lazor no longer in Miami, Zac Taylor will step in as the team's new play caller. He vows to run the ball more than the Dolphins have of late, which should help balance the offense. Lamar Miller has received just 12 carries in the past two games while Ryan Tannehill has thrown the ball 82 times. The Ravens have the eighth-best run defense in the league, but Miller and Jay Ajayi are about as talented of a duo as there is.

2. Allow Ryan Tannehill to make plays with his legs

Tannehill will reportedly be more involved in the Dolphins' game plan under Taylor, which could mean he'll have more freedom to audible and make adjustments a the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he could have more opportunities to take off and make plays with his legs as he's done in years past. Running the read-option could not only open up running lanes for Miller and Ajayi, but it will give the linebackers another wrinkle to worry about.

3. Improve on third down

Only one team has converted on third down at a lower rate than the Dolphins, and that's the St. Louis Rams. Third-down conversions have doomed the Dolphins all season and has caused the offense to sputter and fail to sustain long drives. The hope is that Taylor can change that narrative and help the Dolphins improve on third down. Getting into short-yardage situations is important, which the run game can certainly help with.