Game Overview and Final Score
The Tennessee Titans secured their first victory of the NFL season with a decisive 31-12 win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The game, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, saw the Titans improve to 1-3 while the Dolphins fell to the same record.
The final score tells only part of the story—this was a game dominated by Tennessee’s defense, special teams excellence, and a ground-game approach that hearkened back to traditional football philosophies. Titans head coach Brian Callahan earned his first NFL victory by implementing a game plan that largely abandoned the modern passing attack in favor of a physical, clock-controlling running game that Miami simply couldn’t counter.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Tennessee Titans | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 244 | 184 |
| Rushing Yards | 142 | 106 |
| Passing Yards | 102 | 78 |
| First Downs | 16 | 13 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 2/12 (16.7%) | 2/12 (16.7%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1/1 (100%) | 1/3 (33.3%) |
| Time of Possession | 34:52 | 25:08 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 8-69 | 10-98 |
Titans Offensive Standouts
Quarterback Performance
- Mason Rudolph: 9/17, 85 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 67.0 rating
- Will Levis: 3/4, 25 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 51.0 rating (left with shoulder injury)
Running Game Dominance
- Tony Pollard: 22 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD (41-yard long)
- Tyjae Spears: 15 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD (7-yard Wildcat score)
- Calvin Ridley: 1 carry, 10 yards
Receiving Contributions
- DeAndre Hopkins: 2 receptions, 31 yards
- Tyler Boyd: 2 receptions, 31 yards
- Tony Pollard: 2 receptions, 20 yards
- Treylon Burks: 1 reception, 13 yards
Dolphins Offensive Challenges
Quarterback Situation
- Tyler Huntley: 14/22, 96 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 73.3 rating; 8 carries, 40 yards, 1 rushing TD
Huntley, signed off Baltimore’s practice squad, started because Skylar Thompson was inactive with a rib injury. His night ended with an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a safety.
Running Back Struggles
- Tyler Huntley: 8 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD
- Jaylen Wright: 9 carries, 32 yards
- Tyreek Hill: 3 carries, 19 yards
- De’Von Achane: 10 carries, 15 yards
Receiving Distribution
- Jaylen Waddle: 4 receptions, 36 yards
- Tyreek Hill: 4 receptions, 23 yards
- Tanner Conner: 2 receptions, 15 yards
- De’Von Achane: 3 receptions, 14 yards
Defensive Dominance
Titans Defensive Leaders
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Murray Jr. | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| T’Vondre Sweat | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Sebastian Joseph-Day | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Harold Landry III | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jarvis Brownlee Jr. | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Key defensive performances:
- T’Vondre Sweat earned Rookie of the Week with a strong run defense grade.
- Quandre Diggs intercepted Miami’s two-point conversion attempt.
- Arden Key recovered Huntley’s fumbled lateral, Tennessee’s first takeaway of the season.
Dolphins Defensive Leaders
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks | TFL | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordyn Brooks | 13 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Anthony Walker Jr. | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Emmanuel Ogbah | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Calais Campbell | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jevon Holland | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ogbah intercepted Will Levis in the first quarter, securing the ball between his knees on Tennessee’s opening drive. Miami’s defense spent nearly 35 minutes on the field, contributing to their fatigue as the game progressed.
Special Teams Excellence
Kicking Performance
- Tennessee Titans: Nick Folk – 5/5 field goals (long of 53 yards), 2/2 XP, 17 total points
- Miami Dolphins: Jason Sanders – 2/2 field goals (long of 56 yards), 6 total points
Punting and Returns
- Tennessee Titans: Ryan Stonehouse – 5 punts, 41.8 average; Jha’Quan Jackson – 3 punt returns, 40 yards; Treylon Burks – 1 kick return, 21 yards
- Miami Dolphins: Jake Bailey – 5 punts, 47.6 average; Braxton Berrios – 1 punt return, 27 yards
Game-Changing Moments
- First Quarter: Both teams turned the ball over. Levis threw an interception, then Huntley fumbled a lateral that Arden Key recovered. Levis later exited with a shoulder injury.
- Second Quarter: Nick Folk kicked three field goals, giving Tennessee a halftime lead.
- Third Quarter: Tyjae Spears’ touchdown run extended Tennessee’s advantage.
- Fourth Quarter: Huntley scored a rushing TD but failed on the two-point conversion. A safety on intentional grounding and a late Tony Pollard touchdown sealed the win.
Historical Context and Series Information
This victory marked the 41st all-time meeting between the Dolphins and Titans. Miami still holds the overall series edge, but the Titans have now won the last three matchups.
The Dolphins had not led for a single second through their first three games of the season, and their poor point differential highlighted their struggles.
Key Takeaways and Implications
- Titans’ Identity Established: Tennessee found success by embracing a physical running game and exceptional special teams play, providing a blueprint for future games.
- Dolphins’ Quarterback Concerns: With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined, Miami’s offense has struggled significantly.
- Defensive Improvements: Tennessee’s defense, particularly against the run, showed significant progress.
- Special Teams Impact: Nick Folk’s perfect performance highlighted how special teams can decisively influence games.