Intriguing Game: NFL, Week 16
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
Dolphins: Throughout my appearances on the radio, I was referring to them as the most disappointing team in 2021. There were so many expectations for them entering the year. During the 2020 season, the AFC was so competitive and there would be that one team that had double-digit victories and would, unfortunately, miss the postseason. That was them. After eight games this year, the Miami Dolphins were 1-7 with that lone victory at the time coming against the New England Patriots. There was even a moment when reports leaked out that the team was looking to move Tua Tagovailoa and try to acquire Deshaun Watson. Things like that create major distractions. Now, they are one of the hottest teams in the league winners of their last seven games and have inserted themselves into the madness that is the AFC Wild Card picture. While the streak has been nice, my one question to them is where was this earlier in the season? Just imagine what their record could be if they had played then the way they are now. They’ve done it with a more consistent offensive attack and a defense that’s been swarming to the football as of late. How crazy is it that they’ve had a seven-game losing streak followed by a seven-game winning streak? On Sunday, they will face another Titans team fighting for playoff positioning.
Titans: They’ve just been skating by as of late. Ever since Derrick Henry went down with his foot injury, the Titans’ offense has been lost. I can’t think of another way to put it. They haven’t looked the same not only since Derrick’s been out, but really since that Sunday night game against the Los Angeles Rams. In the victories they’ve had since then, they’ve relied heavily on defense to get the job done. As I was watching them against the San Francisco 49ers last Thursday, they received a boost. A.J. Brown came back and the Titans were able to push the football up the field a bit more consistently than we saw in weeks past. The only thing that worries me is their lack of depth after Brown. Julio Jones has been in and out of the line-up and hasn’t been what many expected after the Titans acquired him. The goal was to create a big three with Julio, Derrick, and A.J., but it’s been a struggle to keep all three of them on the field together at once. One thing I will say is the defense has improved. I would recklessly call them out each week last season due to the fact the pass rush wasn’t consistent and the secondary wasn’t that great. The pass rush still hasn’t shown up, but the secondary has been better. This Sunday, they will welcome a streaking Miami team to town.
Dolphins X-Factor: Emmanuel Ogbah– I was high on him when he was coming out of college. This season, he’s been a force on a resurgent Miami defense. Emmanuel has those long strides to work his way up the field to the quarterback. His bend and twitch to power himself are top-notch. He may not have the quickest first step, but what he does appears to work for him.
Titans X-Factor: Ryan Tannehill– Which Ryan shows up? That’s always the case whenever I look at Titans games. He’s either good Tannehill, shaky Tannehill, or flat-out bad. While the weapons around him are limited, he must work with what’s around him. He will need to be on his a-game with this fast Miami defense coming to town. They will force him to throw the ball.
Final Thoughts: It’s former Patriots day! Brian Flores, the Dolphins head coach was the New England defensive coordinator, and Mike Vrabel, the Titans head coach played for the Patriots. Also, Ryan Tannehill will be facing his former team in the Dolphins. For Miami, it’s key for them to get the football in the hands of their difference makers. All I need from Tua is for him to manage the game effectively and survey the field. He should have enough time to make plays because this Titans defense struggles to apply pressure on the quarterback. Tennessee will need another weapon outside of A.J. to step up. Also, getting Tua to the right side of the pocket will be key.
Prediction: Dolphins 23, Titans 14
