Titans vs Dolphins: The Week 6 Matchup
By Les Bailey
If you take a look at the Tennessee Titans matchup against the Miami Dolphins for Sunday’s game at Nissan Stadium, it almost looks like a “slam dunk” that favors a Titans win. The only statistic that favors the Dolphins at this point of the season is passing yards per game.
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All other milestones on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball are owned by the home team.
Marcus Mariota has not passed for as many yards as Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but the rookie has a better completion percentage, better passer rating, and has eight touchdown passes vs seven by the former Aggie.
The Titans have outperformed the Dolphins in total offensive yards per game at 350.8 to the Dolphins 314.8 but it is head coach Ken Whisenhunt‘s running back by committee where the Titans hold an edge.
The Titans 118.8 yards rushing per game almost doubles the Dolphins ground game that has only produced 69.2 yards.
On offense, the Titans have outperformed the Dolphins in all other major categories. Points per game 25.5 to 16.2, Third down conversion percentage 39.2% to 26.9% and time of possession 2058 min. to 1540 min.
It’s Dick LeBeau‘s defense that has outperformed a very expensive Miami Dolphins defense that was supposed to contend with the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
The Titans have outperformed the Dolphins in every defensive category, with the big disparity being total yards per game allowed. The Dolphins have given up 399.5 yards per game on defense with teams getting 239 yards through the air and 160.5 on the ground.
Lets face it, with both teams at 1-3 on the season at this point, both teams need this game. The Miami Dolphins have already hit bottom and fired their head coach, Joe Philbin after losing ugly to the New York Jets in London two weeks ago.
The Titans have lost three in a row after blowing fourth quarter leads in the last two home losses to the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt keeps saying that this team is close, but with the losses continuing to pile up it is starting to resemble a forgettable 2-14 2014 season in Music City.
We haven’t heard from the Titans management at this point yet, but a season with a new young franchise quarterback that is quickly losing interest and fan support, and some grumbling from players who are unhappy about their roles, you have to wonder how far they are willing to go before making some changes.
On paper, this is a game the Tennessee Titans can and should win, especially at home. The Atlanta Falcons come to town next week, so if they can’t win this game, they could be at 1-5 by the end of this long home-stand and looking ahead to 2016.
That’s not going to be good for anyone, especially this coaching staff!
Next: Tennessee Titans: The Good The Bad and The Ugly