In any another season, the Miami Dolphins (2-6) and Baltimore Ravens (2-5) are an intriguing "Thursday Night Football" matchup.
Both squads entered the season with AFC playoff aspirations, but both are also entering a crucial point of no return in Week 9. With both teams on the outside of the playoff picture, both will need a broad stroke of luck in order to make it.
The Ravens are returning Lamar Jackson from a hamstring injury, which took a bit longer than some realized. Now, Baltimore looks to push forward and make something of a miracle run towards the postseason.
The Dolphins have dealt with their own share of injuries, but their 2-6 record is more indicative of organizational tumult than of injuries. They've been without Tyreek Hill since Week 4, who suffered a season-ending knee injury, and questions surrounding Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel's job status have swirled.
That all makes for a pivotal moment for both squads, despite neither team having discovered winning ways this season.
