What the Miami Dolphins should watch for against the Titans
On Sunday September 9th at 1:pm, the Miami Dolphins open their 2018 NFL season at Hard Rock Stadium when they square up against the Tennessee Titans.
The Miami Dolphins will be faced with a tough challenge on defense, trying to contain the back field threat of running back Derrick Henry. This is the first game for Dolphins linebackers Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan. These two are looking to have an impactful first game led by 6 year vet Kiko Alonso.
Henry is set to start his third season for the Titans, and he is their biggest weapon, in the running game.
"The Titans selected Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-3-inch, 247-pounder is a powerful, downhill runner who displays tremendous speed and balance. He averaged a team-best 4.3 yards per carry and scored 10 rushing touchdowns during his first two NFL seasons. – Via Titansonline.com"
Our Linebackers will play a huge role, on whether Henry has a Heisman Trophy day, or not.
We can not be sure, how the Dolphins defensive coach Matt Burke, will scheme the Titans offense, but I would expect safeties Reshad Jones, T.J. McDonald and Minkah Fitzpatrick, to be a huge road block for the Titans running game. If our Defense can shut down the running game, there is a good chance it will start in the backfield for minus yardage.
Leading the Titans on Offense is QB Marcus Mariota.
"In 2017, Mariota led the Titans to their first playoff berth in nine years and their first postseason victory since January 2004. He completed 281 of 453 passes for 3,232 yards with 13 touchdowns and tied a career-high with 60 rushes for 312 yards with a career-best five rushing touchdowns. He engineered five game-winning drives, including four in the regular season and one in the postseason. – via TitansOnline.com"
Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn come to mind here. Two of the best pass rushers in the NFL, coming off the ends at the same time. The Titans are going to have not only their hands full, but expect a lot of holding penalties against this Tennessee offense.
To back them up is 2nd year Defensive end Charles Harris, and 11th year vet William Hayes, and 7th year vet Andre Branch. Getting the picture yet? Mariota will spend most of the game under pressure, and to avoid it he will need to leave the pocket. Again the running game becomes a threat. Containing Marcus Mariota will be key in a Victory over the Titans.
CB Malcom Butler, he may be the Dolphins biggest hurdle, when Miami’s offense is on the field. In New England is where Butler made a name for himself. He was a shut down corner and one of the best at his craft in the league. But he fell from Bill Belichick’s good graces, and found his way to the Titans.
Ryan Tannehill must remain accurate to avoid turnovers, Tannehill will have to throw into tight windows, because Butler is a ball hawk.
Miami’s defense will also need to cover the tight-ends, number 82 Delanie Walker and number 88 Luke Stocker. Walker is a 13 year crafty vet and has done well in his career.
"CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: • During his first five seasons with the Titans (2013-2017), Walker leads all NFL tight ends with 356 receptions and ranks third in the NFL with 4,156 yards. • In 2017, Walker was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl after leading the team with 74 receptions and 807 receiving yards. – stats courtesy of TitansOnline.com"
The Dolphins can now put their best players in the game, rotating players will help keep them fresh through 4 quarters. On paper there is better depth on the roster than there has been in years.
The Miami Dolphins can win this game, it is also an important one, and the Titans are an AFC team, we have home field advantage, as the Game will be played at Hard Rock stadium, at 1:00 pm Sunday Sept 9th 2018. Stay tuned Dolphin Fans.