What went right, what went wrong for the Titans vs. the Dolphins in Week 4

In 1997, the Houston Oilers became the Tennessee Oilers. In 1999, the franchise became the Tennessee Titans and moved into what was Adelphia Coliseum. These days, the facility is known as Nissan Stadium.

Apparently, the Titans’ new home away from home is South Florida. It was déjà vu all over again as the club came away with a victory at Miami on Monday night, just as was the case in Week 14 a year ago. It was Brian Callahan’s first victory as an NFL head coach, and while it was far from perfect, there were plenty of positives.

Titans finally get their first victory of the 2024 season

What went wrong: “Will” the mistakes ever end?

After a pair of identical 24-17 defeats at the hands of the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, Callahan’s team fell behind in a big way last week at home to the Packers. The 30-14 loss to Green Bay featured another mistake-prone performance by quarterback Will Levis. He threw for 260 yards and two scores, but he was sacked eight times, served up two more interceptions (1 returned for a TD) and lost a fumble.

On Monday night vs. the Dolphins, the Titans’ first drive of the game began on its own 28-yard-line, and would reach the Miami 43. The young signal-caller’s throw to DeAndre Hopkins wound up in the hands of Dolphins’ defender Emmanuel Ogbah, ending the drive. That’s nine turnovers in four games for the Titans, all by Levis, and at least one turnover in 11 of his 13 outings (all starts) dating back to his rookie campaign.

What went right: Rudolph to the rescue

On Tennessee’s next series, the club would march nine yards in three plays before punting. However, on a third-down scramble by Levis that gained three yards, he suffered a shoulder injury diving on the play. “He was hurt,” explained Callahan after the game (via Nick Suss of The Tennessean) “He was having trouble throwing. He was having pain when he was throwing. There was no reason to put him in the game if it’s an injury to your throwing shoulder…”

Enter Mason Rudolph, who was unspectacular but efficient. The former Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback connected on nine of his 17 throws for 85 yards, 27 of those on a completion to veteran wideout Tyler Boyd. Rudolph was sacked only once, didn’t throw an interception, and did not fumble—not bad for someone seeing his first action of the season.

Meanwhile, head coach Brian Callahan has committed to Levis as the starting quarterback.

What went right: That’s all, Folk

Tennessee’s 31 points on Monday night came in a variety of ways. There were touchdown runs by Tyjae Spears (7 yards) and Tony Pollard (4 yards). Late in the fourth quarter, there was a safety when Dolphins’ quarterback Tyler Huntley was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone with 2:27 to play. All told, Callahan’s team totaled 153 yards in the first half, but could not crack the Dolphins’ end zone.

Thank goodness for veteran kicker Nick Folk, who accounted for more than half (17) of Tennessee’s 31 points in the 19-point victory. He was perfect on the evening, connecting on five field goals (53, 52, 47, 51, and 29 yards, respectively). He was also successful on both PAT attempts. The reliable 17-year pro, in his second season with the Titans, has been perfect this season on field goal (7-of-7) and PAT (8-of-8) tries.

What went right: Closing in fine style

In their first two games, Callahan’s team got off good starts but couldn’t protect leads. They led at Chicago, 17-0, in the second quarter, and never scored again in a 24-17 setback. One week later at home vs. the Jets, the Titans owned a 10-7 lead at intermission, but again lost by a 24-17 score. In those games, Tennessee outscored their foes 27-10 in the first half, and were outscored 38-7 in the second half.

Against the Packers, Callahan’s club was down early and never caught up. On Monday night vs. the Dolphins, the team was protecting a tenuous 9-3 lead midway through the third quarter and the club had yet to score a touchdown. This time, the Titans outscored Miami, 22-9, in the second half to pull away. It was quite a turnaround for a team that had managed only 14 second-half points the first three weeks.

What went right: Right place, right time?

For the second time in less than a calendar year, a struggling Titans’ team went to South Florida on a Monday night and beat the Dolphins. Yes, Miami was playing its fourth different quarterback in three games, but perhaps Tennessee’s physical style has proven to be too much for Mike McDaniel’s club. Regardless of the reasons, it’s hard to argue with what the Titans have done in their last two visits to Miami.

The numbers are quite fascinating. Since opening 7-3 in 2022, Tennessee has lost three times as many games (21) than it has won (7). However, two of those victories have come against McDaniel’s Dolphins. It’s the only team that the Titans have defeated more than once in their last 28 contests. It’s also amazing that this club is a morbid 2-11 in its last 13 road games. However, both of those wins have come at Miami.