Rapid Reaction: Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins

Nov 11, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) passes the ball against Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Karlos Dansby (58) in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Titans defeated the Dolphins 37-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

The Tennessee Titans traveled to Miami this past Sunday and return back to Nashville with a win after a 37-3 victory. The (4-6) Titans can feel a little bit better about themselves now heading into the bye week.

-The Titans showed great resiliency, not only in winning the game, but in the fashion that they won. After getting 50+ dropped on them last week, many didn’t know what to expect this past week against the Dolphins. Would they lay down, or step up? They stepped up in a big way.

-Jake Locker, although the stats weren’t flashy,  seemed to provide a huge spark for this Titans team. His mobility and big arm were put on show. Locker scrambled for key first downs and threw two touchdowns versus the Miami Dolphins. Locker was rusty, but that is to be expected of a player who has been sidelined for the past four weeks and is still in his first year as the starter. All that matters is that he made the plays that were needed to win the game.

– Chris Johnson continued his rushing tear yesterday against the Dolphins. He piled up 126 yards, a rushing touchdown, and averaged just over five yards a carry. He is back; he has rushed for over 90 yards for five straight weeks. The Dolphins hadn’t allowed a rusher to surpass over a 100 yards. Chris Johnson and the Titans offense did just that. Chris Johnson is now the 4th leading rusher in the NFL and it looks like he is the franchise player that the Titans invested in.

-How about that Titans defense? They only allowed three points on the board, and forced four turnovers, including a stripped fumble by CB Jason McCourty, and three interceptions, all by the Titans linebackers. The defense looked great; they stopped the run and the pass all day. Let’s hope that MLB Colin McCarthy’s right ankle continues to hold up. He was forced to leave the field for a short period of time, but then returned to make a pick six and finished out the rest of the game, that is, until the starters were pulled.

The bye week comes at an interesting time for the Titans.  This extra layover will give some banged up players some needed rest and allow time for Jake Locker to get back in a groove with extra practice time. The Titans will face  divisional rival Jacksonville Jaguars after the bye.