Titans at Dolphins: Odds, trends, and more
By Matt Kerns
The Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins clash in a battle of two 1-3 football times in dire need of some positive momentum for the rest of the season.
Lackluster quarterback play has hurt both of these two team’s early on this year. In order for both of them to turn it around, both Ryan Tannehill and Marcus Mariota must get better. Tannehill claims he feels no pressure, according to the Palm Beach Post, rather they need the offense to kick it into a higher gear.
The Titans defense has quietly been formidable this year. They give up just 249 yards passing which ranks 11th in the game. Perish Cox is perhaps their weakest link in the secondary after just four games. Against the Texans, he gave up a touchdown to Will Fuller and was called for a crucial pass interference late in the second half which set up a Texans score. Tannehill will likely target Cox with either receiver Jarvis Landry or Kenny Stills as both prove to be tough tasks for Cox to cover.
Rookie cornerback, Xavier Howard sustained a minor leg injury in practice Wednesday. According to the Miami Herald, his chances of suiting up against the Titans could be in doubt. If that’s the case, Byron Maxwell would be thrown back into the starting lineup after being benched last week in Cincinnati.
Mariota must improve as a passer, if he does so, this team will win. He has the support from a good, not great defense. And a great running attack led by DeMarco Murray. Mariota is playing the worse football of his early career right now. He’s unable to take advantage of play action passes or short yardage situations where he in theory, should be able to push the ball down the field. Of course, we all have our own theories of what’s wrong with a quarterback. But one thing stands out above all else, and that being head coach Mike Mularkey’s trust appears to be declining in Mariota.
Odds
Line: MIA -3.5
Over/Under: 43
Miami is the safe play at home. This could be a trap game for fans, where Miami comes out and punches the Titans in the mouth defeating them 40-10. If Miami stops the run, they should have no problem closing the door in this one. But if they fail to do so, it leaves the Titans the opportunity to stay very much alive.
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No team in football relies more on their running attack the the Titans do. This is perhaps both a good and bad thing as at times they’re too reliant on it and aren’t willing to let Mariota take matters under his own hands and learn as a quarterback. We’ll see what happens Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.