As Week four approaches, both the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins find themselves looking for answers following tough starts to their respective seasons. The Dolphins have struggled without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, while the Titans are still winless, trying to salvage a season that hasn’t gone according to plan. This Monday Night Football matchup could be pivotal for both teams as they aim to turn things around.
For Tennessee, second-year quarterback Will Levis is stepping back into a stadium where he’s already made history. Last season, Levis led the Titans to a stunning 15-point comeback in just under a minute, his defining NFL moment to date. However, 2024 hasn’t been as kind to him. Levis has struggled with turnovers early this season, throwing five interceptions—two of which were returned for touchdowns—and fumbling three times due to strip sacks. Despite these issues, Levis has shown flashes of brilliance, and the Titans need him to find some consistency if they are to secure their first win.
One area that could tip the scales in this matchup is the Titans’ rushing attack. Tennessee has a capable backfield led by Tony Pollard, who has amassed 158 yards on 39 carries so far. However, it’s the Dolphins’ run defense that will be under the microscope. Miami has given up big rushing plays in all three games this season, allowing opponents to average 4.5 yards per carry. They’ve been susceptible to explosive runs, as seen in long gains by Buffalo’s James Cook and Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne. With Will Levis’ ability to scramble and the Titans looking to get Tyjae Spears more involved in the offense, Miami will need to tighten up its run defense to avoid being gashed on the ground.
Miami’s dynamic receiving duo, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, are coming off a surprisingly quiet couple of weeks. After Hill’s explosive 130-yard, 80-yard touchdown performance in the season opener, his production has dipped significantly. Waddle has similarly struggled to break through defenses, with no more than 41 receiving yards since Week 1. Both receivers have been facing heavy defensive pressure, with teams employing two-deep safety coverages to limit their downfield opportunities. Waddle acknowledged that it’s up to him to create separation in these situations, but there’s no denying that both he and Hill have the potential to explode at any moment.
Miami’s offense, once feared under head coach Mike McDaniel, has hit a major roadblock this season. After finishing last season as one of the NFL’s top offensive units, the Dolphins currently rank 16th in total offense, averaging just 318.7 yards per game. Their rushing attack has been particularly stagnant, producing just 95 yards per game. Most concerning of all is their scoring output. The Dolphins are dead last in the league, averaging only 11 points per game through the first three weeks.
Both teams are dealing with injuries that could have a significant impact on the game. For the Dolphins, quarterback Skylar Thompson is day-to-day after suffering a rib injury, potentially forcing Miami to look for help at the position. On the defensive side, cornerback Kendall Fuller and offensive tackle Terron Armstead are in concussion protocol, and running back Raheem Mostert has been limited in practice with a chest injury. On the Titans’ side, veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has been placed on injured reserve due to a groin injury, paving the way for rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to see more playing time. Brownlee, a local product, will be eager to make an impact in his hometown.
Prediction
Miami’s offensive struggle will continue without Tua, and they won’t win much without him. The Titans are one of the worst teams in the league, and Miami will be playing at home on Monday Night Football. I expect a very close game with Miami winning by a razor-thin margin.
Dolphins 19, Titans 17
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