Dolphins’ Epic Collapse Against Titans Will Hurt Them in More Ways Than One
Tyreek Hill did everything he could to show his teammates, coaches and the thousands of Dolphins fans in attendance Monday night that he was O.K.
After being dragged down on a horse collar tackle, Hill jumped back on his feet and ran off the field as the crowd chanted “MVP!”
Hill appeared to have avoided a serious injury, but the Dolphins couldn't avoid a disastrous meltdown in the final four minutes of regulation.
The Dolphins did the unthinkable by blowing a late two-touchdown lead, losing to the Titans, 28–27, on a night that was supposed to be about Hill igniting a second-half rally to improve his MVP campaign. Hill certainly showed his worth, but it wasn’t enough to save the Dolphins, who now might be long shots to win the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Ravens (10–3) hold a one-game lead over the Dolphins (9–4) for the top seed in the conference. It sounds worse when learning that the Dolphins have to play the Jets, Ravens, Cowboys and Bills during the final month of the regular season.
It’s also concerning that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was outplayed by Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis and has regressed since a dominant September.
Tagovailoa struggled Monday amid his first game without any touchdowns this season.
Jim Rassol/USA TODAY NETWORK
Dan Marino was shown on the TV broadcast watching from his luxury suite with Miami holding a 14-point lead with 4:34 left in the game. By the time the legendary Dolphins quarterback made his way to the sideline, the current starting quarterback in Miami was on the field with a one-point deficit. The Titans’ second touchdown drive in the final four minutes took only 26 seconds off the clock.
The Dolphins will spend the coming days wondering what the heck happened after they jumped to a 27–13 lead a few plays after the Titans had one of the worst muffed punts of the season. This one will sting the Dolphins, and it might open the door for the Bills (7–6) to steal the AFC East on the final week of the regular season. Buffalo holds the head-to-head tiebreaker because they crushed the Dolphins back in Week 4.
This game also served as a reminder that the Dolphins haven’t beaten anyone good since September. And I say September because the Broncos have been respectable since the 70–20 loss to the Dolphins. That’s alarming that the 7–6 Broncos are the only team currently with a winning record that the Dolphins have beaten this season.
Miami peaked too early and didn’t play well in losses to the Chiefs and Eagles earlier this season. The wins against the Chargers, Patriots, Giants, Panthers, Raiders, Jets and Commanders won’t impress anyone come the postseason.
Sure, the Dolphins will be a tough challenge because they have Hill, who remains on track to break the single-season record for most receiving yards. He finished with four catches for 61 yards. He missed about two quarters and was the Dolphins’ second-leading receiver, behind Jaylen Waddle’s 79 yards.
For a period, the Dolphins and the football world caught a glimpse of what they truly are without Hill. The Dolphins’ offense generated zero points in the first half, but received help from the defense with a pick-six.
The Dolphins were outgained by the Titans, 403–366, with Hill sidelined for roughly half of the game.
Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports
Tagovailoa’s struggles will command most of the spotlight, but the Dolphins also have issues on the defensive side. Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey couldn’t keep tabs on DeAndre Hopkins. And Bradley Chubb had a bone-headed mistake in the first half to allow the Titans to score a touchdown after he was flagged for tossing his helmet on the field.
The Dolphins’ defense is talented, but it’s also without edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who sustained a season-ending injury two weeks ago.
Maybe the Dolphins will show us something different than just a group of fast players over the final month of the regular season.
As of right now, the Ravens, Chiefs, Jaguars and Bills, shouldn’t be concerned about the Dolphins. Or anyone else with a winning record besides the Broncos.
