Coach Fallen was asked to meet with the media before the Dolphins week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans. Several media members brought up last season’s week 17 game in Tennessee where the Dolphins were absolutely clobbered 47-10. In that game, they allowed over 250 rushing yards and coach Fallen told the media that he wanted to develop a game plan that remedied their last matchup against the Titans. He was asked what was the game plan, to which he replied,”Ideally we establish a rhythm on offense, dictate the flow of the game and get a big enough lead to make their offense one dimensional.” Coach Fallen wanted to force newly acquired quarterback Jalen Hurts to pass on his defense and he wanted to limit Derrick Henry’s touches. Coach Fallen also stated.” It’s a passing league. Whether you’re leading or trailing, passing is the best option for yards and points, so being able to air it out is how we envision having the most success.”
The Miami Dolphins were able to hold the Titans on their first drive and then they received the ball on offense and were able to drive the length of the field, but they were held to a field goal by the stingy Tennessee Titans defense. Coach Fallen debated going for it on 4th and 3, but instead he decided that it was more important to set the tone of the game by making smart decisions and taking points when they come. Jalen Hurts and the Tennessee Titans offense drove the length of the field but when they got to the Miami 36 yard line, they ended up turning the ball over. Jalen Hurts had two similar slant/post routes heading in the same direction, he tried to hit one of them over the middle of the field, but newly acquired strong safety Kareem Jackson was able to step in front of the pass and intercept it. The Titans decided to bench Jalen Hurts after this interception in favour of Dwanye Haskins. The Dolphins were ahead 17-10 heading into halftime and were expecting to receive the ball after halftime. After halftime, the Dolphins were able to extend their lead to 14 points, but Derrick Henry was just heating up. Henry was able to narrow the Dolphins lead on a long run into the endzone, but the Dolphins had a 27-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter and as we’ve seen with this team in the past, they have a difficult time playing with a lead and sealing the game.
On 3rd and 6 with just under five minutes left in the game, Tua was directing Salvon Ahmed up the field, but Ahmed didn’t understand the command, and Tua threw an interception into the waiting arms of a Titans defender. This interception led to a Tennessee Titans touchdown and the Dolphins were once again under the gun and in threat of losing a game that they should have put away. On 4th and 2 on the Titans 23 yard line, Coach Fallen decided to forego kicking the field goal and giving the Dolphins a 6 point lead. He wanted to put the game away. He called a level concept, but the Titans played it well and Tua was stripped by an unblocked defender. The Titans were able to tie the game with a field goa, but the Dolphins were left with time on the clock. Tua was able to lead his team down to the Titans 25 yard line with 3 seconds left in the game. Jason Sanders was iced, but what should have been a chip shot to win the game, sailed to the right and he missed the game winning field goal and sent the game into overtime. The Miami Dolphins won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Tua threw the ball underneath to Jaylen Waddle and then to Salvon Ahmed who was able to take the ball all the way to the redzone. The Tennessee Titans held the Dolphins to a 3rd and goal, but Tua was able to roll to his left and find an open Jaylen Waddle for the game winning touchdown. The Miami Dolphins were able to execute their original gameplan of passing the ball, but despite their attempt to run the ball, the Tennessee Titans held the Dolphins to a measly 22 rushing yards.
Offensive Statline of the Game –
Tua Tagovailoa – 36/51, 70.6 completion percent, 491 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
Tua was by far the player of the game for the Dolphins, however, he did have poor decisions that led to 3 interceptions and a fumble. The Dolphins are going to need him to protect the ball better if they are going to have a chance this season. They just barely missed the playoffs last season and for those same reasons, they almost lost this game. The Dolphins need to do a better job at managing the game last in the second half and in order to do that, they are going to need more out of the running game. Salvon Ahmed carried the ball 18 times for a pitiful 22 yards. His longest rush of the day went for 8 yards, however, he was a monster in the passing game. He had 13 receptions for 145 yards. The Dolphins used the short passing game as a supplement for their poor rushing game.
Defensive Statline of the Game –
Juanyeh Thomas – 5 tackles and 1 interception.
This isn’t the most eye popping statline but Juanyeh Thomas was drafted in the fourth round and wasn’t expected to start. He was able to lead his team to victory and came away with a huge interception when the Dolphins needed it the most. Kareem Jackson and Xavien Howard had interceptions as well. Xavien Howard’s interception came on the goal line and it helped the Dolphins keep the Titans at bay. The defense of the Dolphins was able to hold Derrick Henry to 15 carries, but he made the most of those carries. Henry rushed for 152 yards, but because the Dolphins were able to get out in front, they limited his touches on the ground. The Dolphins are aiming to take the momentum of this win into their week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are coming off a devastating victory over the New York Jets and the Dolphins will have to hope for some luck in order to stop an Aaron Rodgers led offense.
