The Tennessee Titans (5-8) upset the Miami Dolphins (9-4), 28-27, on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium, dashing their hopes of taking the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race — for now.
Will Levis and company rallied late for two touchdowns in less than a minute to come back from a 14-point deficit to earn their first road win and hand Miami its first home loss of the season.
The Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns from Raheem Mostert to go up 27-13. But a touchdown from the rookie quarterback to veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry’s second touchdown of the day boosted Tennessee to the win.
“We knew we had an opportunity to do something special tonight on national television, probably our last primetime game. I hope America liked what they saw,” Levis said on the ESPN broadcast after the game. “… I think we showed them the type of team we always thought we could be this season. Obviously, we had some lulls, but we got a special locker room, special guys across the board. Defense played a heck of a job against such a potent offense. So happy for them and so glad we were able to grind it out at the end there.”
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Hopkins finished with seven catches for 124 yards, his third 100-yard game of the season.
The Titans defense sacked Tua Tagovailoa five times, including one from Harold Landry III on fourth down on the Dolphins’ last drive to seal the victory. The quarterback finished 23-of-33 for 240 yards. It was the first time this season he didn’t score a touchdown.
Tennessee was up 13-10 at the half and three Dolphins players, including star receiver Tyreek Hill, were injured. Hill suffered an ankle injury and was questionable to return, but came back on the field in the third quarter. The MVP candidate finished with four catches for 61 yards, including two 20-yard grabs. — Victoria Hernandez
Winners and losers from Titans’ win over Dolphins
WINNERS
Analytics/Titans head coach Mike Vrabel: A win for analytics nerds everywhere, Vrabel kept his offense on the field for a two-point conversion that made a 27-13 deficit 27-21 and opened the door to complete the comeback without requiring overtime. That way when the Titans scored another (however improbable) touchdown to tie the game, all they required was an extra point to take the lead. Going for two down 14 points has become more universally adopted but still faces headwinds in more traditional spaces. Vrabel showed why it’s worth it every time.
Will Levis: What a ride from April, when the rookie quarterback fell out of the first round to go 33rd overall, to now. The Dolphins had a 99.7% chance of winning late in the fourth quarter, but Levis refused to go quietly into the night. His inspired play translated into the two scoring drives Tennessee needed to win; the first one took less than two minutes, while the second took 26 seconds to go 64 yards. Levis overcame an ugly interception early to defensive lineman Zach Sieler, which was returned for a touchdown, and a fourth-quarter fumble that led to a short field for Miami.
Tyjae Spears: The rookie running back has developed into an ideal complement to Derrick Henry and had three catches for 41 yards in the fourth quarter. Spears caught six passes for 89 yards total and was essential for Levis as an outlet option in crunch time.
DeAndre Hopkins: Perhaps rejuvenated by the emergence of Levis, Hopkins looked like the receiver from his Houston Texans days – rising up to make difficult catches, tapping his toes to stay in bounds. He had seven catches (12 targets) for 124 yards.
Baltimore Ravens: They still have the toughest schedule in the league the rest of the way, but the Dolphins’ loss gave them a game of breathing room at the top of the AFC standings. The two teams will play one another on the final day of 2023 in a matchup that could decide the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Buffalo Bills: The Dolphins’ schedule isn’t a cakewalk the rest of the way – neither is the Dolphins’ – but the path to a third straight AFC East division crown is suddenly there. They play in Miami during Week 18. Could it be for the division?
Raheem Mostert: The Miami running back punched in two more rushing touchdowns to bring his total for the season to 16, tops in the NFL.
LOSERS
Mike McDaniel: The Dolphins played a sloppy game start to finish – they fumbled on their first possession to start a series of first-half miscues. Miami is the fifth team since 2000 to lose after leading by 14 points in the final three minutes. A fair share of the blame lies with the head coach and the offensive play-caller who couldn’t put the game away and lacked the explosivity the Dolphins have branded themselves with in 2023. To be fair to the NFL coach of the year candidate, he was missing his best player.
Tyreek Hill: Miami had a scare when Hill went down in the first quarter with an ankle injury, which he said after the game he’s been dealing with the whole season. Hill knew it was bad immediately and said he decided to reenter the game following a halftime text exchange with his wife.
Special teams play: The Dolphins had a first-half field-goal attempt blocked, but the real blunder of the game on special teams came when Titans returner, undrafted free agent Eric Garror, inexplicably decided to field a punt that was bouncing. He couldn’t come up with the ball, and the Dolphins recovered at the Tennessee 7-yard line. Mostert scored two plays later in what appeared to put the game away until the Titans’ comeback.
Dolphins’ home-field playoff aspirations: The possibility still exists, but as previously mentioned, it took a hit with the loss. They haven’t had home-field in the playoffs since 1984, when they made the Super Bowl. — Chris Bumbaca
Titans-Dolphins highlights
Rookie Will Levis threw for a career-high 327 yards and directed two touchdown drives in the final 4 1/2 minutes, and the Titans rallied to stun Miami, 28-27, on Monday night, knocking the Dolphins out of the top spot in the AFC.
Titans 28, Dolphins 27: Derrick Henry scores, can Tennessee hold lead?
Will Levis, DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry led the Titans down the field to give Tennessee a 28-27 led.
Levis threw a deep pass 36-yard pass to Hopkins to put Tennessee in Miami territory. A few plays later, Henry rushed to the left side for a 3-yard touchdown.
Henry’s TD gave Tennessee a 28-27 advantage with 1:49 left in the game.
Hopkins has seven catches, 124 receiving yards and a touchdown in the game. — Tyler Dragon
Dolphins 27, Titans 21: DeAndre Hopkins touchdown
Well, this one isn’t over just yet.
After the Dolphins took a commanding lead, the Titans answered with a touchdown drive of their own.
The Dolphins have 2:40 minutes left to either score again, or run the clock down. They could be in danger of a late upset how they played this entire game before their 14-0 outburst in the middle of the fourth quarter. — Safid Deen
Dolphins 27, Titans 13: Raheem Mostert scores again
The Dolphins turned Bradley Chubb’s fumble into more points.
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert scored his second touchdown of the game to give Miami a 27-13 lead with 4:34 remaining.
Mostert scored his second one in a minute span after Chubb recovered a pass by rookie Will Levis intended for Titans running back Derrick Henry. — Safid Deen
Derrick Henry fumbles turnover in Titans’ own territory
The Titans’ chances of coming back against the Dolphins are slipping through their fingers as Derrick Henry lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.
On first-and-10 from their own 25-yard line, Will Levis faked the handoff to Tyjae Spears and then tossed the ball behind him to the All-Pro rusher. Henry failed to catch the ball and it fell to the turf. Bradley Chubb fell on the ball for the Dolphins takeaway.
This is the Titans’ second lost fumble of the game. — Victoria Hernandez
Dolphins 20, Titans 13: Raheem Mostert touchdown, Dolphins wheelbarrow celebration
A drive that ended with Tua Tagovailoa sacked brought new life to the Dolphins.
Titans defensive back Eric Garror touched a live, punted football and it was recovered by Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell at the 7-yard line.
Two plays later, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert’s carry crossed the goal line and Miami took the lead 20-13 with 5:34 left.
Dolphins defensive end Bradley Chubb recovered a fumble on the next play on the Titans’ next play. — Safid Deen
Dolphins 13, Titans 13: Tyreek Hill comes alive
Tyreek Hill appears just fine.
Hill caught a 23-yard pass on the final play of the third quarter, and caught a 25-yard pass to the 6-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Hill even signaled toward the Titans sideline for help after Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was hurt on the play.
The MVP chants in Hard Rock Stadium were loud and heavy.
But the Dolphins could not do anything with Hill’s dynamic play.
Tua Tagovailoa slipped on third and 3 at the 3-yard line. And the Dolphins had to settle for three to tie the game at 13 with 12:37 left in the game. — Safid Deen
Titans up 13-10 at end of third quarter
The Titans are poised to splash on the Dolphins’ party as they are up 13-10 at the end of the third quarter after a 23-yard field goal from Nick Folk.
Tennessee almost had a touchdown as Will Levis tossed a dart to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the end zone, but after review, the play was reversed and the pass was ruled incomplete.
Jason Sanders kicked a 20-yard field goal for Miami earlier in the quarter.
The two teams are neck and neck with the Titans registering 258 yards of offense and the Dolphins racking up 264.
Derrick Henry has the lone offensive touchdown of the game, which he scored in the second quarter. — Victoria Hernandez
Marino memories
The Dolphins were expected to cruise tonight, two-touchdown favorites or thereabouts. But a loss will prevent them from reclaiming the AFC’s projected No. 1 playoff seed, ensuring it stays with the Baltimore Ravens — the AFC North leaders hosting Miami in Week 17. The Dolphins would also see their lead over Kansas City dwindle to one game, and the Chiefs have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Fins last secured home-field advantage in 1984, when league MVP Dan Marino and Co. used it to their advantage on the way to Super Bowl 19 … where they were crushed by Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers. — Nate Davis
Here’s the latest on Tyreek Hill
While Tyreek Hill is questionable to return, all signs appear the Dolphins might play this injury situation conservatively and keep their best player out.
Hill was not on the field when the Dolphins began the second half, but he returned with 6:43 left in the third quarter when Dolphins fans began cheering as Hill took the field with his helmet.
Hill ran three routes, but was not targeted, and it appeared he was hampered by the injury.
Hill came out of the tunnel to join his Dolphins teammates on the sideline.
Dolphins connect on short field goal to tie game
The Dolphins had an 11-play, 77-yard field goal drive to start the second half.
A Sean Murphy-Bunting pass interference placed the football in Tennessee territory. The Dolphins then got inside the five-yard line, but they were unable to punch it in.
Miami settled for a 20-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders to even the score at 10-10. — Tyler Dragon
Halftime: Titans 10, Dolphins 7
The Dolphins have not looked like their juggernaut selves in the first half. And there’s even more cause for concern with receiver Tyreek Hill, a dark horse MVP candidate, out since injuring his knee on a tackle near the Titans sideline early in the game that has kept him out since.
A turnover near the goal line, a personal foul by Bradley Chubb for taking off his helmet, and a blocked field goal have been the primary Miami miscues.
Tennessee has taken advantage, using two big completions from Will Levis to DeAndre Hopkins near the end of the half to kick a go-ahead field goal and take a 10-7 lead into the locker room.
The vaunted Miami offense has yet to score on the Tennessee defense; their lone score came when Zach Sieler intercepted Levis’ screen pass at the 5-yard line and waltzed into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. The Titans evened the game halfway through the second quarter with a Derrick Henry touchdown from wildcat formation.
The Dolphins are without center Connor Williams, who is out for the rest of the game after suffering a knee injury, and suffered the consequences when backup Liam Eichenberg couldn’t smoothly snap it to Tua Tagovailoa on their first drive. Miami lost the ball at the 2-yard line, but Sieler ended up salvaging some points.
Titans block Dolphins’ FG: Dolphins 7, Titans 7
The Titans stopped the Dolphins’ chance to take a 10-7 lead before halftime.
Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry blocked a kicked by Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders after the two-minute warning, and both sides remain tied at 7.
The Titans will have 1:49 left before the half to make something happen on offense.
Derrick Henry touchdown: Titans 7, Dolphins 7
The Titans are on the board, and they can thank Bradley Chubb for that.
Titans running back Derrick Henry took a 2-yard carry in Wildcat formation into the end zone to tie this game at 7.
The key play for the Titans: Chubb, the Dolphins defensive end, slammed his helmet after missing a sack on Will Levis.
The penalty got the Titans to the 12-yard line, where Levis had an 11-yard run to the goal line but came up short.
Henry finished the job on two carries, tying things up with 6:53 left before halftime.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is questionable to return: Dolphins 7, Titans 0
Tyreek Hill is standing on the Dolphins sidelines. And now, he’s questionable to return.
The Dolphins are calling it an ankle injury for Hill, who came into the game leading the NFL with nearly 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Dolphins opt to rest Hill against the Titans, or see if he’ll be able to return.
Dolphins center Connor Williams (knee) is out for the rest of the game, the team also announced. –Safid Deen
Tyreek Hill scares with injury, runs off the field in first quarter
Dolphins star Tyreek Hill went down and seemed to favor his left leg after an injury toward the end of the first quarter.
After writhing in pain, Hill limped from the Titans sideline to midfield.
And as fans began to chant, Hill ran off the field and appeased the fans for a moment.
Hill is standing on the Dolphins sidelines, while a trainer holds his helmet. He did not seek treatment in the Dolphins medical tent.
Zach Sieler, Miami defensive touchdown: Dolphins 7, Titans 0
Will Levis was trying to throw a screen pass from his own end zone.
Instead, it was the Dolphins who made their way across the goal line for the game’s first touchdown.
Miami defensive lineman Zach Sieler jumped in front of the pass intended for Tyjae Spears, which hit him in the belly at the 5-yard line. Sieler walked in from there, and the Dolphins led 7-0 with 8:25 left in the first quarter.
The Dolphins have scored defensive touchdowns in three straight games, starting with Jevon Holland’s 99-yard return for a touchdown against the New York Jets on Black Friday, dubbed the “Hell Mary.” Against the Commanders last week, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returned an interception for a touchdown. – Chris Bumbaca
Dolphins turnover, but Jaylen Waddle, Xavien Howard return
The Dolphins are dropping like flies in this first quarter. And it cost them on their first offensive drive of the game.
Dolphins center Connor Williams limped off the field after being rolled up on from behind. Backup Liam Eichenburg replaced him in the lineup.
And when the Dolphins got down to the 2-yard line, they fumbled the quarterback-center exchange and the defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson came up with a crucial fumble.
Tough turnover for the Dolphins.
But good news: Receiver Jaylen Waddle came back into the game. And Xavien Howard also returned on the next defensive series.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle takes rough hit over the middle
The Dolphins first offensive drive started how their first defensive drive ended – with a player coming off the field after a rough hit.
Dolphins receive Jaylen Waddle caught a completion over the middle from Tua Tagovailoa, and got hit in the chest by a Titans defender.
Waddle was able to walk off the field on his own.
Dolphins’ Xavien Howard injured on first series
The Dolphins defense held rookie Will Levis and the Titans to a three-and-out on the first drive of the game.
But Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard appeared to get hit in the side on 3rd and 10.
Howard was down after he collided with safety Brandon Jones. Howard walked off on his own after reaching for his hip after the play, and is being evaluated in the Dolphins’ blue medical tent.
Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel wears sneakers with his daughter painted on them
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is participating in the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats program with some custom sneakers of his own.
McDaniel was spotted on the Dolphins sidelines wearing a pair of Nike Air Force Ones, customized with a photo of him and his daughter Ayla.
Tyreek Hill is fast, and he likes fast food?
Dolphins leading receiver Tyreek Hill showed up to the Titans game with a brown paper bag, and an apparent receipt hanging from it.
Could it be Hill having some fast food as a pregame meal?
Chad Johnson, who loves to boast about his love from McDonalds, says Hill could be in for a big night: “McDonald’s in hand, 300 yards & 2 TDs.
Dolphins-Titans inactives
The Dolphins will play without three starters, while the Titans have two unable to play in tonight’s game.
Also among inactive players for both teams:
-Dolphins quarterback Skyler Thompson, receiver Robbie Chosen, cornerback Eli Apple and tight end Tyler Croft.
-Titans quarterback Malik Willis, outside linebackers Trevis Gipson and Caleb Murphy, tight end Josh Whyle and defensive back Mike Brown.
Why are there two MNF games being played at the same time?
A new scheduling wrinkle for the 2023 NFL season included two ‘Monday Night Football’ games being played simultaneously.
This first-ever simultaneous kickoffs MNF presentation is being done so that ‘ESPN and the NFL transform a Sunday afternoon environment into a primetime window,’ per ESPN.
This is the third time this season that there are multiple ‘Monday Night Football’ games on the same night. It had previously occurred during Week 2 and Week 3, with kickoff times staggered. — Jim Reineking
ManningCast will follow two games
The ManningCast for Week 14 figures to the most manic yet.
For ‘Monday Night Football,’ Peyton Manning and Eli Manning will juggle two games on their alternate ESPN2 telecast.
‘When situations dictate, Peyton and Eli will divert attention to a single game,’ per ESPN. — Josh Peter
Titans at Dolphins: Predictions, picks and odds
The Dolphins are favorites to defeat the Titans, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
Spread: Dolphins (-13.5) Moneyline: Dolphins (-800); Titans (+550)Over/under: 47.5Lorenzo Reyes: Dolphins 31, Titans 13 — The Dolphins are very balanced and it’s their defense that has been the strength in the second half of the season. Still, Miami’s speed on offense presents a ton of problems. And if Derrick Henry is indeed unavailable, I think the Dolphins are a safe play here, despite the two-touchdown spread.Tyler Dragon: Dolphins 31, Titans 16 — Should Tyreek Hill be the MVP frontrunner? Hill has 1,481 receiving yards this season, the most receiving yards by a player in his team’s first 12 games of a season in the Super Bowl era. The Dolphins haven’t beaten a team with a winning record, and they face another opponent below .500 in the Titans.Safid Deen: Dolphins 26, Titans 17 — Derrick Henry’s availability will dictate this one. The Dolphins will have a tough time slowing Henry down without their injured defensive end Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Jerome Baker. But the Titans won’t have enough offense to keep pace with the Dolphins at home.Victoria Hernandez: Dolphins 32, Titans 15 — If the Titans couldn’t pull off an overtime win at home against the Colts with 100 yards and two touchdowns from Derrick Henry, they do not stand a chance against the Dolphins, especially if the star running back is out. De’Von Achane is back and added more power to the already-electric Miami offense. The Dolphins are having fun this season and will notch another win here.Jordan Mendoza: Dolphins 36, Titans 16 — Miami continues to rip apart bad teams, and it has another chance to do so against a struggling Tennessee team. This one won’t be close for a majority of the game, and even with the wide spread, it wouldn’t be crazy to bet on the Dolphins to get another 20-point win.
‘Monday Night Football’ betting tips
Highlighting Monday Night Football odds, the Green Bay Packers are among the best bets for NFL Week 14 as road underdogs. The Packers are favored by 5.5 points over the New York Giants, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
There is also significant betting attention around the Miami Dolphins’ primetime game against the Tennessee Titans. According to the top NFL betting apps, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (+800) has some of the best NFL MVP betting odds in 2023. The Dolphins (+650) are among teams with the best Super Bowl betting odds.
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds, Sunday Night Football odds and more.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with these online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. — Richard Morin
Playoff implications for ‘Monday Night Football’
A win by the Dolphins tonight moves them back into first place overall in the AFC, though Week 17’s visit to Baltimore could be decisive. Miami will remain the second seed with a loss.
Though a win is obviously preferable, the Packers will remain the NFC’s seventh seed regardless of tonight’s outcome. However if Green Bay loses, the San Francisco 49ers will become the first team in 2023 to clinch a playoff berth. — Nate Davis
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