The Tennessee Titans travel to Florida to face the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, seeking to gain their first win in 2024. Getting a win is a legitimate possibility this week as the Dolphis are without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but they’ll be on the road in a hostile environment, so it still won’t be easy.
The Titans have gotten off to a really rough start in 2024, and even when we see improvement in one area from the previous week, something else rears its ugly head. This week the Titans got an extra day of rest, which should help the defensive guys who need it the most, so maybe we’ll see something different out of the Titans this week.
That said, there are six keys to the Titans getting a win over the Dolphins on Monday.
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This cannot be stated enough. The Titans’ eight turnovers in three games are unacceptable and all eight of them can be laid at the feet of Will Levis. Yes, he needs support from his skill players, but he has to do better, too. The Titans cannot continue to turn the ball over and hope to overcome that to win a game.
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The quarterback can’t do much if he’s on his back on the time. Will Levis has been sacked 15 times, the only quarterback sacked more is Deshaun Watson (16). This was a problem last year and it’s continuing to be a problem this year. The line has to do better at protecting Levis, and Levis has to do better at getting the ball out of his hands.
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This is on Will Levis, Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyjae Spears and all of the skill position players. This isn’t about route running according to the game plan, this is about adjusting your play on the field to give the quarterback an opportunity to move the ball down the field. If Levis can’t get the ball out, he is forced to throw it away or take a sack. He’s more prone to taking a sack lately, so the skill players have to make adjustments to get open.
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The Titans defense has one fumble recovery on the season. One take away in three games. Their depth is slim, they are tired, but they are all the Titans have. The faster they can get off the field, the more rest they will get and the more opportunity the offense has to put points on the board. Creating turnovers helps on a number of fronts and its time this defense grabs some turnovers of their own.
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The Dolphins’ defense is among the middle of the league, they aren’t great at anyone thing but they aren’t terrible at any one thing either. Putting the ball in Tony Pollard’s hands is the best way to manage the clock, keep the ball in the hands of the offense (he’s less likely to turn it over), and put points on the board. Yes, Will Levis is going to have to pass the ball, and those guys will have to step up, too, but Pollard and Tyjae Spears should have a lot of touches this week.
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It is really, really hard to stay positive when you lose multiple games in a row. But the Titans have to shake off that negativity, just like they have to shake off their mistakes in the middle of a game. You can’t dwell on those things, it’s done and over, you have to focus on what comes next. It’s not an easy task, but the more they put those things behind them, the easier it will be to recover and rebound the next time.
