Score prediction for Week 14
The Tennessee Titans’ defense isn’t just about to face its toughest test of the season. It’s facing one of its most difficult in franchise history.
When the Titans (4-8) visit the Miami Dolphins (9-3) at Hard Rock Stadium for “Monday Night Football” (7:15 p.m., ESPN), they’ll be tasked with slowing down one of the most impressive offenses in NFL history. The Dolphins are averaging 32 points per game and 6.9 yards per play, the latter of which is the second-most by any NFL team since 1970.
They’re on pace to be just the third team in NFL history to average eight or more yards per pass attempt and five or more yards per carry in the same season — and the first since the 2019 Titans.
The Dolphins are facing a defense that allows the fourth-most yards per pass attempt in the league and the third-highest passer rating against. The Titans’ secondary has allowed four 100-yard receivers in the past four games, including two in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
If the Titans have any hopes of keeping up — and securing their first road win of the season in the process — they’ll have to control possession on offense and take advantage of the opportunities the Dolphins give them on defense. There’s always a path to an upset, however slim.
Here is The Tennessean’s scouting report and score prediction for Monday’s game.
Titans offense vs. Dolphins defense
With as much attention as the Dolphins’ offense gets, it’s easy to ignore just how good the defense has been. It’s the only unit in the league that ranks in the top 10 in yards allowed per play and game, pass yards allowed per play and game, and rush yards allowed per play and game. On top of that, the Dolphins rank fifth in the NFL in sack rate and ninth in third-down percentage.
When teams have beaten the Dolphins this year, they’ve done a good job of playing keep-away. The Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills held on to the ball for an average of 32 minutes, 14 seconds per game. For a Titans offense that likes establishing the run and controlling pace, that’s probably an attainable goal.
Containing the Dolphins’ pass rush may be a problem, though. They lead the league in pressure rate and quarterback knockdown rate despite blitzing at one of the league’s lowest rates. Good pass rushes have absolutely crushed the Titans this season, and this might be the best pass rush there is right now.
Advantage: Dolphins.
Titans defense vs. Dolphins offense
If the Titans have any saving grace here, it’s that the Dolphins have a bit of a habit of giving the ball away. They have 19 turnovers this season, including six games where they turned the ball over multiple times. Now, the Dolphins are 5-1 in those games, but extra opportunities are never a bad thing.
Their team speed is going to be a problem. Receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are among the fastest players in the league and some of the best big-play threats. This Titans defense has struggled all season with letting receivers get behind the coverage, and that’s a foolproof way to let the Dolphins hang five touchdowns on you.
With injured Jeffery Simmons out of the middle of the Titans’ defense, the Dolphins will have a chance to spread the field and try to gash the Titans with light boxes, too. Getting a pass rush going against the Dolphins is especially hard because of how quickly quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gets the ball out, making this matchup even more of a nightmare.
Advantage: Dolphins.
Score prediction: Dolphins 34, Titans 16
The Dolphins might not be the best team in the NFL, but they may be the worst matchup for the Titans specifically. Containing all of that team speed is going to be a huge task, and if the Titans’ offense goes through lulls with consecutive three-and-outs again, the Dolphins will have a chance to build a huge lead that the Titans aren’t equipped to battle back from.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at [email protected]. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
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