Dolphins Fantasy: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em vs Titans

We have hit the quarter-season mark and Miami Dolphins fans are left with the all-too familiar feeling of disappointment hindering their ambitions for the rest of the campaign. This Sunday the Dolphins return from their bye week after the limp loss in London to the Jets, and face a Tennessee Titans side that has been revitalised by rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The Oregon product threw four touchdowns and had a QB rating of 158.3 in his NFL debut. He currently boasts better stats than Ryan Tannehill in touchdowns, interceptions, QB rating and completion percentage. Before a ball was snapped in the regular season, this was as close to a sure win as the Dolphins could have hoped for. Now, the Titans pose a very real threat of dropping the Dolphins to 1-4 and making Miami fans wait yet another year for the dream of post-season football. Still, Dan Campbell’s Dolphins do have some favourable matchups.

Start ‘Em

Lamar Miller – Running Back

A controversial one. The Dolphins are one of two teams in the league yet to record a rushing touchdown (the Jags are the other). Campbell has intensified the camp and has apparently created more fight in the players than Joe Philbin had all season. Campbell is clearly an aggressive coach, and all aggressive coaches start with one tactic: establishing the run. Miller is a very good back when given the assistance from his offensive line. 

Campbell is clearly an aggressive coach, and all aggressive coaches start with one tactic: establishing the run

A tougher line and more carries for Miller will see his stats flourish and he should have his best game of the season so far against a Titans defense that has allowed over 100 rushing yards in each game this year. Miller will not be a Devonta Freeman or a LeVeon Bell for your fantasy team, but he should provide a solid double-figure performance as a RB2.

Jordan Cameron – Tight End

The Titans defense has been stingy this season, especially to wide receivers. Only one wideout (Travis Benjamin, Browns) has recorded over 100 receiving yards against the Titans D. So the regular playmakers like Jarvis Landry and, surprisingly, Richard Matthews may have their talents limited, presenting Miami’s Pro Bowl tight end with the opportunity to shine. Cameron has 12 receptions for 170 yards so far, but has failed to get into the endzone. Here he is snagging a touchdown pass from Nick Foles in the 2013 Pro Bowl:

He is an obvious redzone weapon that Philbin did not utilise correctly. I fully expect Campbell to correct that, and Cameron should benefit from more targets by securing his first Dolphins touchdown. Granted, the offense is not clicking the way we thought it would this campaign, but I like this matchup and think Cameron could deliver 10+ points in fantasy.

Sit Em

Ryan Tannehill – Quarterback

The Titans have given up the least amount of passing yards per game (166.5), and are third in total defense with 283.5 yards allowed per game. And Tannehill’s last two games should be enough to prompt you to bench him this week. He is in a recovery process after two embarrassing performances in which he has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.

As stated earlier, I will think Campbell would stick with the run in Tennessee, meaning Tannehill is not a worthwhile risk on Sunday. But you should not hastily trade the Phins QB away, he showed enough quality in the first two games to stick with him. The right coach could iron out the creases and mould Tannehill into an elite quarterback. A kind schedule could prove to be the key factor for Tannehill’s development.

Defense/Special Teams

The Dolphins defense is arguably the most underperforming unit in the NFL. A defensive line that was supposed to wreak havoc has recorded just one sack in four games, the lacklustre linebacker corps is being exposed by every running back it faces, and a thin secondary lacking playmakers has been embarrassed by some of the league’s more mediocre quarterbacks. Cameron Wake is probable but Brent Grimes is questionable with a knee injury. Both are leaders of the defense and without them, it could yet again suffer. The Titans offense has more weapons than most teams the Dolphins have faced so far, so I fear new defensive coordinator may have to wait at least a few more weeks before his unit turn a corner.