After the lone road trip of the early season, the Dolphins are back at the friendly confines of Hard Rock Stadium for a primetime showdown. It’s a rematch from Week 14 of the 2023 season as the Titans are back in town for a 7:30 kickoff, with the Fins looking to avenge the 29-28 loss.
After a tough loss in Seattle on Sunday and an injury to quarterback Skylar Thompson, the starter under center for Miami remains up in the air. Newcomer Tyler Huntley comes equipped with exciting traits. Looking for a jolt from a slow start and despite being a Dolphin for just over a week-and-a-half, Huntley’s athletic ability and proven rushing and scrambling production provides some intrigue.
The Dolphins have not ruled out Skylar Thompson for the game as of print time, but if the rib injury he suffered in Seattle prevents him from playing, Tim Boyle is the other option for the Dolphins. He came on in relief of Thompson in Seattle, going 7-of-13 for 79 yards.
Starting at quarterback for the Titans will be second-year signal caller Will Levis. With five interceptions and three lost fumbles, Levis is responsible for more turnovers than any player in the NFL through three weeks. Those eight turnovers, paired with the one takeaway the Titans have produced on defense and special teams, gives Tennessee a negative seven turnover differential on the season, last in the NFL.
It’s been a tough start for the Titans offense, who have also surrendered the second most sacks in the league (15), the highest sack rate (13.8 percent) and the most quarterback pressures (46).
For both teams, the running game will harbor significant importance on the outcome of the contest. Second-year running back De’Von Achane leads the Dolphins in rushing attempts (49), rushing yards (150), receptions (17) and touchdowns (2). Rookie Jaylen Wright had two carries last week and could see a larger workload if veteran Raheem Mostert is still unavailable after suffering a chest injury in Week 1 that held him out of the last two games.
The Titans lead running back, Tony Pollard, is also the team-leader across multiple offensive categories, most notably his 158 rushing yards and 11 receptions as a pass catcher. The team’s leader in touchdowns (2) and receiving yards (136) is the Titans’ prized offseason addition, wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
The two defensive coordinators from either side, Anthony Weaver in Miami and Dennard Wilson in Tennessee, were on the same Baltimore staff in 2023. They both bring their blitz-heavy schemes into this game looking to throw off the rhythm of the young quarterbacks on the other side. Both teams rank inside the top 10 in blitz rate – Miami 26.8 percent and the Titans at 26.4 percent.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team’s official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Monday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and CBS Miami, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
