Titans vs. Dolphins final score, immediate reactions to Monday Night Football Week 4

The Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans closed out their Monday Night Football showdown in Week 4. We react to the action.

The Miami Dolphins hosted the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football tonight, the second straight year Tennessee traveled into South Florida for a Monday game. Last year, the Dolphins dropped that game, starting a downward slide that led to Miami losing out on an AFC East division title and heading to Arrowhead Stadium for a AFC playoffs wild card showdown rather than hosting a postseason game.

The Dolphins are starting Tyler Huntley at quarterback just 13 days after signing him. Je replaces Skylar Thompson, who was injured last week when he replaced starter Tua Tagovailoa. Now, Miami has to find some stability at the position to give them a chance to make the playoffs this year.

If Monday’s performance is of any indication of the future for the Dolphins, Miami has no chance at the playoffs. They have no chance at finding stability. And they have no idea how to find any offense.

This team has moved past being a bad team and is now just an embarrassment.

Final Score

Titans 31 – 12 Dolphins

Immediate Reactions

1. Good opening stand for the Dolphins defense. They gave up some easy plays, including linebacker Jaelan Phillips being called for roughing the passer on what should have been a third-down stop, but in the end, they forced Titans quarterback Will Levis into an interception, with defensive lineman/linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah dropping into coverage and making the pick.

2. A first-down throw from quarterback Tyler Huntley to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for 14 yards and an end-around from wide receiver Tyreek Hill looked like Miami’s offense finally awakened for this season. Then, a pass out to Hill in the flat was dropped, with the ball traveling backward, leading to a fumble and a Titans recovery. Such a good opportunity for the Dolphins just wasted.

3. A trade of three-and-out possessions, followed by seven plays for 26 yards from the Titans led to the end of the first quarter. Levis injured his shoulder on a dive for the first down on the three-and-out drive and was replaced by Mason Rudolph.

First quarter score: 0-0.

4. After cornerback Storm Duck tackled Titans running back Tyjae Spears for a five-yard loss, the Titans kicked a field goal. Miami has not led a game during gametime this season. Their only lead came in their Week 1 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars when kicker Jason Sanders connected as time expired in the fourth quarter. Titans 3-0.

5. The good news? Miami did not punt on their “answering” drive. The bad news? They turned it over on downs when Hill could not pick up a yard on a 4th-and-1 end around. Miami’s offense has to figure out something for tonight and for the next two games. They cannot afford to keep looking like this waiting for Tagovailoa to return. The Titans picked up 19 yards on an eight-play drive before connecting on a 52-yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk to extend the lead. Titans 6-0.

6. Miami finally showed a little life, sparked by Huntley running for 12 yards. Through this 10-play drive, Miami has thrown the ball only six times, including four on that possession. For a team built to get the ball into Hill and Waddle’s hands, that will not cut it. But Huntley’s running ability opens up something else for the offense. Kicker Jason Sanders connected from 44 yards to get Miami on the board. Titans 6-3.

7. The constipated offenses continued for the next four possessions, with the Titans punting after four plays, Miami after three, Tennessee after four again, and the Dolphins again after three. With 16 seconds remaining, the Titans completed a 26-yard pass from Rudolph to wide receiver Tyler Boyd, then kicked a field goal. Titans 9-3.

Halftime score: Titans 9-3.

8. Three plays, one yard, and a punt. What a great way to start the second half, Dolphins. Waddle had a miserable drop over the middle. Then again, the entire Miami offense feels like a miserable drop at this point.

9. Miami’s defense is again trying to keep the team in the game. Setting up a three-and-out possession was an eight-yard sack from linebacker Jordyn Brooks on third down to force a punt. A 64-yard kick was nearly returned for a touchdown as wide receiver and punt returner Braxton Berrios broke through the middle, just getting tripped up by the last defender. So close to getting Miami the lead without needing the offense. The offense did nothing with the field position, however, and the Dolphins were forced to rely on a 56-yard kick from Sanders. Titans 9-6.

10. Sure, why not? The Dolphins pull within a field goal, so they immediately give up a 41-yard run, leading to a Tennessee touchdown. A ten-point lead is just ridiculously large at this point. Miami cannot overcome this with the way the offense is playing. Titans 16-6.

11. A ten-yard loss on a sack, a three-yard gain on a Hill bubble screen, and an incomplete deep pass toward Hill. What a great possession down 10. At this point, the Dolphins need to trademark the bubble screen for a three-yard gain. The Titans put together only 11 yards on fix plays, but it is enough for another field goal. Do you think Miami can come back from down 13? Titans 19-6.

12. Miami turned the ball over on downs, leading to another Titans field goal. Titans 22-6.

13. Where has this been all night? Suddenly, the Dolphins remembered they were good at throwing quick-timing routes over the middle of the field. They even converted a 4th-and-11 on a pass to Waddle. Despite multiple penalties being called, the Dolphins were able to score a touchdown – ending a 165 minute, 45 second span since their last touchdown back in Week 2. Titans 22-12.

14. After a punt by the Titans, Huntley was called for intentional grounding in the endzone, giving up a safety. Titans 24-12.

15. Miami attempted an onside kick, but was called for a penalty for kicking the ball outside the landing zone, giving the Titans the ball at the Miami 10-yard line. I still have no idea what or how any of that worked. I assume Miami punter Jake Bailey kicked it too far on a declared offside kick, with the penalty then enforced with a half-the-distance penalty from the Miami 20 to the 10. The Titans scored four plays later. Titans 31-12.

Final Reactions

The Miami Dolphins are broken. Losing your starting quarterback sucks for every team, but the Dolphins are completely broken by not having him out there. This offense is completely inept at this point. Just an absolutely miserable performance – again.

Head coach Mike McDaniel has to answer for this. The Dolphins look ill-prepared every single week. This offense averaged over 29 points a game last week. They have combined for 25 total points over the last three weeks.

Miami cannot keep playing like this over the two games remaining before Tagovailoa returns.

Just miserable.