Miami Dolphins (1-3) – Tennessee Titans (1-3): 12-31
New quarterback, same result. With Tyler Huntley (14/22, 96 yards) at the helm, the Dolphins only gained 184 yards in attack, including 78 short lengths in the air. They lost a ball, committed 10 penalties, and even their star receivers started having slippery hands.
Tennessee didn't ask for that much. Will Levis (3/4, 25 yards, 1 int) quickly left due to a shoulder injury, Mason Rudolph (9/17, 85 yards) took over at the head of an attack determined to pass in strength. And the recipe worked. The Titans dominated possession with 40 runs, which allowed them to keep the ball for almost 35 minutes.
In addition to five field goals from Nick Folk, runners Tyjae Spears (15 races, 39 yards, 1 TD) and Tony Pollard (22 races, 88 yards, 1 TD – 2 rec, 20 yards) found the end zone to offer a rather comfortable victory for the Titans. The season premiere.
Where have the Dolphins gone?
You miss only one person… Even with Tua Tagovailoa at the start of the season, the Dolphins' attack showed a little more difficulty running. Without it, it becomes a crippling problem. Fumble by Tyler Huntley, punt, failure on fourth attempt… Miami offered the whole range of the worst to its audience at the opening of the match. On the ground? Huntley is the best runner on his team (8 races, 40 yards, 1 TD), while De'Von Achane stalls completely (10 races for 15 yards).
Only a field goal saved the day before the break. But in the third quarter, it's worse: 7 yards gained in just over three possessions. Tyreek Hill (4 rec, 23 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (4 rec, 36 yards) have rarely been so out of sight.
The only possession built comes too late. A progression of 70 lengths in the last period punctuated by a touchdown on the ground from Huntley to return to ten lengths (12-22). But the onside kick that follows is covered and Miami even concedes a safety and a new touchdown.
The Titans calmed by Mason Rudolph
By his own admission in a post-match press conference, Mason Rudolph did not have much to do. But his presence still had the merit of calming down an attack which had again started in a very baroque manner, with a first drive ended by an interception, and above all an injury to the shoulder of Will Levis.
Behind, Rudolph mainly passed the ball to Pollard and Spears. For three field goals first. Enough to reach the break with a 9-3 advantage. Then Spears scored on a direct snap (6-16) to widen the gap. Two new field goals later (6-22), Tennessee saw the Dolphins reduce the gap. But the defense caused a penalty from Huntley in front of his end zone to scratch a safety (12-24) and Pollard completed the score with a final touchdown (12-31).
Neither team really reassured, but a winner was needed. The Titans leave with the satisfaction of having won the physical challenge. For the Dolphins, Mike McDaniel's offense still seems lost.
