The Titans faced the Dolphins on Dec. 11 in Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season. Here are takeaways and highlights from the game.
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Final Score: Titans 28, Dolphins 27
A key question heading into Monday night’s game was whether Tyreek Hill would rack up over 150 or 200 yards receiving. However, little went as expected, true to form for this NFL season.
The Dolphins’ star receiver only played 33 offensive snaps after injuring his ankle in the first quarter. In his pursuit of a historic 2,000-yard season, Hill finished with just four catches for 61 yards. Meanwhile, the Titans reminded the world that they have a true No. 1 wide receiver of their own in DeAndre Hopkins, who hauled in seven receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins was at the center of several crucial highlight plays for the Titans including a tightly-covered, falling-down 45-yard catch.
Despite a sloppy overall performance from Miami, they appeared to have the win secured with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, leading 27-13. Titans miscues set up both of the Dolphins’ fourth-quarter touchdowns deep in Tennessee territory. First, a muffed punt recovered at the seven-yard line resulted in a Raheem Mostert rushing score. Then, linebacker Bradley Chubb recovered a bad pitch to Derrick Henry, leading to a second Mostert touchdown on another two-play drive.
RELATED: Raheem Mostert’s Unlikely Rise to Stardom
With 4:34 left, down by two scores, quarterback Will Levis led the Titans down the field on a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a Hopkins touchdown catch on a no-look pass. The touchdown drive took just 1:54 off the clock and did not require the Titans to use any of their timeouts.
After Tennessee’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, Levis and the Titans’ offense once again marched down the field, this time moving 64 yards to the end zone in only 26 seconds. Henry finished the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the evening.
Miami still had a chance to win, but a late sack by Harold Landry on fourth down sealed the game and concluded the improbable comeback for Tennessee. The Titans are the first team in NFL history to trail by 14 points with less than 2:55 left and win without requiring overtime.
Highlights
🤯🤯🤯#ProBowlVote + @DeAndreHopkins#ProBowlVote + @will_levis
📺: Watch #TENvsMIA on @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/Vt6Tz97pFY
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 12, 2023
Whole defense went wild for @ZachSieler's pick-6
📺: #TENvsMIA on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0LeBKvPPxF pic.twitter.com/hEgFQ5Y8gV— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
Staying alive! #ProBowlVote + @DeAndreHopkins#ProBowlVote + @will_levis
📺: Watch #TENvsMIA on @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/IPzrIckpWC
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 12, 2023
Looking Forward
The Titans will return home for a divisional matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 15. The Texans (7-6), who were blown out by the Jets last week, have still exceeded all expectations this season and are currently in the hunt in the AFC Wild Card race. On the other hand, the Titans (5-8) have failed to meet expectations this season, but Levis has breathed new life into this team. Tennessee will look to Levis and great red zone defense to finish the season strong and orchestrate an unlikely playoff push.
The Dolphins (9-4) continue a three-game homestand next week against the Jets (5-8). Despite the loss to Tennessee, Miami remains in control of its own destiny as they seek the No. 1 seed in the AFC. A Week 17 faceoff against the conference-leading Ravens may prove the difference in who receives the first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Dolphins will need to fix their patchwork offensive line and get Tyreek Hill fully healthy if they hope to accomplish that goal.
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