On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans (2-3) defeated the Miami Dolphins (1-4) 30-17 at Hard Rock Stadium.
According to Pro Football Focus, coming into this game the Titans had the #1 offensive line in all of football. The Dolphins were ranked 23rd on that same list. On Sunday, the play between the offensive lines were the difference in the game.
Ryan Tannehill showed flashes on Sunday but at the end of the day his poor offensive line protecting him was too much to overcome. Coming into the game the Dolphins had allowed 11 sacks. He was sacked six times against the Titans alone. Miami had a 30% three and out percentage coming into the game, their inability to convert third downs on Sunday played a key role in their loss.
Miami isn’t helping Tannehill very much as they don’t have anything else to compliment him. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota single-handedly out-rushed the Dolphins by nine yards (60-51). I’m surprised Tannehill wasn’t seriously injured after taking the battering he did against the Titans, who were constantly in his face affecting Tannehill’s confidence throwing. He only threw the ball 18 times and completed 12 of his attempts for 191 yards and two interceptions, with one coming at the end of the game where he heaved the ball down the field in desperation.
Did Ryan Tannehill lose this game for the Dolphins? No. We can’t point the finger and blame it all on No. 17. Now, did he assist in the loss, sure. The first interception lead to three points for the Titans but the Dolphins offense was unable to stay on the field long enough. Which led to the Dolphins defense (who aren’t that good as it is), giving up large chunk runs on the ground.
Three Stars
1. Marcus Mariota
I expected Mariota to finally put together a solid performance throwing and perhaps even rushing. And he did. In terms of matchups, this was a rather favorable one. The Dolphins don’t scare you despite their so called “elite pass rushers” in Mario Williams and Cameron Wake (2 sacks between the duo this year).
Mariota shined against the Dolphins. He had his fair share of mistakes but at the end of the day, he played a big role in the Titans win over the Dolphins. He was effective against a Dolphins defense that had given up 272 yards in their air and 129 more on the ground. Mariota finished the game 20-29 passing for 163 yards.
The Titans will need Mariota to continue his positive play as he did Sunday. Coming into the game, the Titans had averaged just 1.8 touchdowns per game, on Sunday they scored four of them with Mariota being responsible for all four, three throwing and one rushing.
2. Titans pass rush
With six sacks in this game, the Titans defensive line and outside line backers did their duties against an inexperienced and unprepared Dolphins offensive line. The Dolphins started their week expecting rookie Laremy Tunsil to fill in at left tackle if Branden Albert was going to be unable to go.
But Tunsil was injured in the pregame before this matchup, which forced the Titans to shift over from guard to left tackle. He struggled to say the least.
The Titans were able to penetrate A, B, and C gaps resulting in Tannehill on his backside for a majority of the game. Miami was unable to get the ball moving, and if it weren’t for a punt return for a touchdown, the game would have been over at the half.
3. DeMarco Murray
The Dolphins don’t stop the run. They don’t stop interior power runs, outside zone runs, sweeps, traps, you name it. The Dolphins cannot stop the run, period. Their line features Ndamukong Suh and then a bunch of washed up pass rushers who banked in by signing with the Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Titans, well their whole offensive scheme has been running the rock. Murray has been more than a staple for this offense, he’s been the Elmers Super Glue. He continued on Sunday, as he rushed for
He continued on Sunday, as he rushed for
The defensive line for the Dolphins did all it could to stop the run, mixing in defenders and moving around bodies, regardless of their scheme the Titans weren’t going to be outmatched on Sunday.
Highlights
29-yard needle from Mariota to Walker off play action.
That deep bomb set up this five yard scamper by Mariota as the Titans lead 7-0.
https://twitter.com/matty_kerns/status/785173969213075456
Second week in a row the Titans have allowed a punt a return for a touchdown.
Dolphins bounce back on a six play, 79-yard scoring drive.
Odds
The Dolphins came into the game as 3.5 point favorites playing at home.
Next Week
Miami will stay put at home and get ready to take on the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans will head home to take on the Cleveland Browns, another winnable game for them as they try and stockpile wins.