Titans at Dolphins Recap, Highlights, Final Score, More

The Miami Dolphins kicked off the longest home stretch in NFL history with a dud. The team struggled in all facets of the game against the Tennessee Titans, falling to 1-4 on the season.

The Miami Dolphins came back home to Hard Rock Stadium to kick off the longest stretch without a road game in NFL history. The next time the Dolphins will be the visiting team is more than 40 days away. It didn’t seem to give the team any added motivation, though, as they came out flat once again against the Tennessee Titans and never recovered.

From the outset of the game, it was easy to see that Miami was simply over-matched against a strong, but disappointing, Titans squad. The Titans came out and established their game early. Behind the best offensive line in football, the Titans ran the ball early and often. As has been the case the entire season, the Miami defense had no answer.

Both DeMarco Murray and Marcus Mariota had impressive ground games as the Titans improved to 2-3 on the season. The win should cool the seat under head coach Mike Mularkey a little bit, if only for one week. Meanwhile, the Dolphins fans become more and more restless as the weeks progress. The team falls to 1-4 on the season and the chants for Matt Moore to supplant Ryan Tannehill have already begun.

Three Stars

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans – Mariota didn’t have an overly impressive game with his arm, throwing for less than 200 yards, but he did lead the team on three touchdown drives. Where Mariota really impressed, though, was on the ground. He gashed the Dolphins defense for 60 yards, adding another touchdown. More than the stats, Mariota was in complete control the entire game. Whether on the ground or through the air, the Titans quarterback was calm, poised, and had no trouble with the Dolphin defense.

DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans – DeMarco Murray simply demolished the Dolphins defense on Sunday. The Dolphins ranked towards the bottom of the league against the rush coming into the game, and Murray ensured that they will remain that way. With 121 yards on 27 carries, Murray showed that he is indeed a dominant running back and deserving of the praise that was heaped upon him during his days as a Dallas Cowboy.

Tennessee Titans Offensive Line – The Tennessee Titans offensive line has been the best unit in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, and they put on a clinic today in Miami. The formidable front-four of the Dolphins was virtually non-existent. Whether in the ground game or in pass protection, the front line for the Titans put on an exemplary performance. Marcus Mariota had all the time in the world to throw the ball. Titans rushers (Murray, Mariota, and Derrick Henry) had huge lanes to run through the entire game. It was simply a dominant all-around performance.

Bonus Star

Miami Dolphins Offensive Line – It’s rare that you can say that a player or group of players is a star of the game for the opposing team. But that’s exactly what I would say of the Miami offensive line today. They were hamstrung with injuries, but that’s life in the NFL. You need to find a way to fight through and that’s something they simply did not do today. The offensive line allowed the Titans to sack Ryan Tannehill six times. Defensive pressure caused the Dolphins quarterback to throw another two interceptions.

Highlights

Next Week

Things don’t get any easier for the Miami Dolphins next week. With the fans chanting for Matt Moore towards the conclusion of the game, players are going to have to deal with constant question about Ryan Tannehill. Distractions are bad enough when you’re going into a game against a weak opponent. The Dolphins have to find a way to pick themselves off the mat and game-plan for one of the league’s best teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a home game for Miami, which may be the only positive about the match-up.

The Tennessee Titans get a golden opportunity to turn their season around and get back to .500 for the season as they take on the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is a team that has been decimated by injury this season and had to finish today’s game with Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback. The schedule sets up nicely in the next few weeks for the Titans to make some noise in the AFC South.