Tennessee Titans 3 Keys to Victory Against Miami Dolphins in Week 14
The Tennessee Titans will take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14 and no one is expecting the underdog Titans to pull off the upset against one of the NFL's best teams. With all the odds stacked against them, the Titans only have one path to victory and it is a path underdogs have marched on since the creation of football. This winning path includes three key pillars.
Turnovers
Make no mistake, if the Titans don't win the turnover battle, they won't win the game. The only way for the Titans to slow down that explosive Dolphins offense is to not slow it down at all. Instead, rather than hoping for punts, the Titans need to hope they can create a few turnovers. This will end some productive Miami drives without points.
Not only will it prevent the Dolphins from scoring, but it will help the Titans' underperforming offense be in more advantageous situations. Rather than driving the ball 75 yards or more, if the Titans' offense could have some short fields as a boost, it would present a chance for the Titans to stay in the game.
Time of Possession
I told you this was an old-school path. Look, it may not always be exciting to watch, but beat 'em up, ball-control offense is still the best direction for the Titans. If the Titans can run the ball and chew up clock, it will limit the opportunities the Dolphins get to have their offense on the field. Combine fewer opportunities with some turnovers and boom, you see what I'm getting at here.
The problem is that requires running the football and the Titans haven't been able to do that consistently all season. It would be wonderful if the Titans could get the ball to Derrick Henry a ton while they salt away the clock and score points of their own, but instances where we have seen that executed have been few and far between.
Red Zone Battle
So, what happens when the Titans don't turn the Dolphins' offense over? What happens when the Titans aren't holding the ball? Well, that will require red zone defense. Again, the Titans won't stop the Dolphins from moving the ball up and down the field, so their best shot is to let the field help them.
The red zone is a condensed area and it makes it easier to guard. If you aren't worried about Tyreek Hill beating you deep, because deep is out of bounds, you can be more aggressive. The Titans' best hope here, is they hold the Dolphins to field goals in this smaller space and then use the Henry battering ram to score on their red zone opportunities.
If the Titans can create turnovers to give their offense some shorter fields while also holding the ball on their own possessions and then win the battle of the red zone, they just might have a shot at shocking the world, but it still doesn't seem likely.
Titans Related Stories
- WEEK 14 INJURY REPORT: The Tennessee Titans will take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14 and as of Thursday's practice they have a long list of injuries to deal as they work to prepare for the game. CLICK HERE
- TITANS SIGN NEW PUNTER: The Tennessee Titans saw a rash of injuries against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13 that included losing punter Ryan Stonehouse for the season. On Wednesday, the Titans made a move to add Stonehouse's replacement along with other additions. CLICK HERE
- TITANS WAIVE RICE: The Tennessee Titans have parted ways with third-year linebacker Monty Rice on Tuesday in a somewhat surprising move at this stage of the season. CLICK HERE
- SIMMONS SHOULDN'T RETURN: The Tennessee Titans will be without star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons for at least a couple of weeks according to Mike Vrabel, but if the Titans are smart, Simmons shouldn't play the rest of the year. CLICK HERE
