Monday Night Football just got more thrilling as the Miami Dolphins prepare to host the winless Tennessee Titans. This Week 4 doubleheader caps off a weekend of high-stakes action, with the Dolphins unveiling their *third different quarterback* in four games – an NFL rarity!
Currently standing at 1-2, Miami is yet to lead a game this season and eked out their sole victory with a last-second field goal in Week 1. This time, they’ll look to the former Baltimore practice squad gem, Tyler Huntley, to take charge under center. Huntley steps in due to injuries sidelining both Tua Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson, pushing the Dolphins into a pivotal moment early in the season.
The Titans, struggling at 0-3, are desperate for a win to keep pace in the AFC South. With division cohort Jacksonville also winless, Tennessee sees this as a golden opportunity to capitalize on Miami’s injury woes and inch closer to Houston.
TAXES AND TRENDS
Despite the unpredictable quarterback situation, the Dolphins are a consensus 2.5-point home favorite, as indicated by BetMGM where Miami has been backed by 56% of spread line bets and 68% of the money. The public seems cautious, favoring a low-scoring affair; the Under has drawn 66% of the bets and 55% of the prize pool with an expected total of 37.0 points.
ACCESSORY SELECTIONS
— **DeVon Achane Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+100 on DraftKings)**: With Raheem Mostert likely sidelined, Achane steps up in the backfield. Despite a touchdown drought last week, he scored in Miami’s first two games and faces a Titans defense allowing an average of 124.3 rushing yards per game.
THE NEWS
Flashback to last December: Tennessee’s dramatic 15-point surge in 51 seconds turned a bleak 14-point deficit into a shocking 28-27 win over Miami. Titans QB Will Levis, then a rookie, stunned with a career-high 327 passing yards. Reflecting on that game, Levis said, “It was a lot of fun, but we’re a different team now, and so are the Dolphins. Monday night games always have that extra spark because everyone is watching.”
This season has been rough on the Titans, who have been outscored 78-48. On the other hand, the Dolphins grapple with major issues post-Tagovailoa’s concussion in Week 2 against the Bills. With him on IR until at least Oct. 27, the spotlight is on Huntley as he steps in following a lackluster performance by Thompson and Boyle last week, culminating in a 24-3 loss to Seattle.
“We picked him for a reason,” McDaniel emphasized about Huntley, known well from his Ravens days. Miami, averaging a league-worst 11 points per game, desperately needs a spark, having been outscored 55-13 over their two-game skid. Star receiver Tyreek Hill has been quiet, with just six receptions for 64 yards and no touchdowns over this losing streak.
The Titans’ offense hasn’t fared much better, averaging 16.0 points (28th) and 260.3 yards per game (29th). Levis’s turnover woes (eight in total) are alarming but veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains optimistic. “Nobody else I’d rather have on the field. He’s learning, he’s tough, and it’ll come with time,” said Hopkins.
Levis heads into Monday night with a 3-9 starting record, seeking redemption and consistency.
INJURY REPORT
The Titans will miss CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin), now on IR. DT Jeffery Simmons (elbow) is questionable, along with CB L’Jarius Sneed (hamstring) and S Amari Hooker (face). For Miami, LT Terron Armstead and CB Kendall Fuller remain in concussion protocol, while LB David Long and CB Siran Neal deal with hamstring issues.
THEY SAID IT
“I’m very confident. We have an extraordinary coaching staff, capable of putting together a wild game plan. Monday night will be a crazy game,” said Hill on Miami’s resilience despite their quarterback setbacks.
FORECAST
This matchup is critical for these struggling teams desperate to avoid being left in the AFC dust before October even arrives. While Huntley brings experience, it’s a tall order having just been signed last week. The Titans aim to snap their skid, leveraging Miami’s mounting injuries. Prediction: Titans 23, Dolphins 20.
