NFL Week 4 Recap: Tennessee Titans Dominate Miami Dolphins 31-12
The Tennessee Titans put on a clinic in Week 4 of the NFL, defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12 at Hard Rock Stadium in front of a packed crowd of 65,291 fans. The Dolphins came into this game hoping to make a statement at home, but the Titans had other plans, delivering a solid all-around performance that left little doubt about their dominance.
Let’s break down the game, look at the best moments, and talk about the player who truly shined as the man of the match!
First Quarter: A Slow Start
The first quarter didn’t bring much excitement. Both teams were evenly matched in terms of defense, and the scoreboard stayed empty as neither team could find a way into the end zone or even set up for a field goal. Quarterback Trey Huntley for the Dolphins and Will Levis for the Titans struggled to break through the opposition’s defense. The fans were eager for something to happen, but both teams needed time to warm up.
Second Quarter: Folk Kicks Titans Ahead
The second quarter is where the game started to take shape, but it wasn’t through touchdowns – it was thanks to field goals. The Titans’ kicker, Nick Folk, was the star of the first half, kicking three field goals, including one just before halftime, giving Tennessee a solid lead.
Folk’s first successful kick came with 6:40 on the clock, putting the Titans ahead 3-0. He nailed another field goal four minutes later, making it 6-0. Miami’s kicker, Jason Sanders, managed to get the Dolphins on the board with his own field goal late in the second quarter, but Folk responded with his third field goal of the game, sending Tennessee into halftime leading 9-3.
Third Quarter: Spears Finds the End Zone
After a quiet first half, things began to heat up in the third quarter. The Titans extended their lead when running back Tyjae Spears broke through the Dolphins’ defense for a thrilling touchdown run, giving Tennessee a 16-3 lead after Folk added the extra point. The Dolphins tried to fight back, with Jason Sanders adding another field goal to cut the lead to 16-6, but Folk answered with his fourth field goal of the game, making it 19-6 in favor of Tennessee.
By this point, the Titans had taken control of the game, and Miami struggled to keep pace. The Titans’ defense was solid, keeping Dolphins’ key offensive players, such as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, under wraps.
Fourth Quarter: Titans Seal the Deal
The fourth quarter was all about the Titans flexing their dominance. The Dolphins tried to rally, and Trey Huntley managed to score a rushing touchdown early in the quarter, bringing the score to 19-12. However, the Dolphins’ attempt at a two-point conversion failed, leaving them still trailing by seven points.
Tennessee wasted no time in responding. The defense put the game out of reach when Harold Landry sacked Trey Huntley in the end zone for a safety, giving the Titans two more points and pushing their lead to 21-12.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Titans struck again with another touchdown – this time, running back Tony Pollard took it to the house with an explosive run. With Folk’s extra point, the Titans extended their lead to 31-12, which was how the game would finish.
Man of the Match: Nick Folk
While the Titans’ offense shined in the second half, the Man of the Match honors have to go to Nick Folk, the veteran kicker for Tennessee. Folk was automatic throughout the game, hitting five field goals and consistently keeping the Titans in control with his accuracy. His calm and composed kicking gave Tennessee the lead early and allowed them to play from ahead the entire game.
Folk’s steady performance ensured that even when the Titans struggled to find the end zone in the first half, they were still racking up points on the scoreboard. It’s not often that a kicker is the standout player, but Folk’s contributions were undeniable in this one.
Best Moments of the Game
One of the standout moments of the game was Tyjae Spears’ touchdown run in the third quarter. With the Dolphins defense tightening up, Spears took the handoff from Will Levis and found a hole in the middle of the line. He powered through Miami’s defenders and sprinted into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, giving the Titans a comfortable lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Another key moment was Harold Landry’s safety in the fourth quarter. As the Dolphins tried to mount a comeback, Landry broke through Miami’s offensive line and took down Huntley in the end zone. This play not only gave the Titans two points but also completely shifted the momentum back in Tennessee’s favor.
Finally, Tony Pollard’s late touchdown put the final nail in the coffin. Pollard broke free for a 24-yard rushing touchdown, capping off an impressive day for the Titans’ running game. It was the perfect way to seal a big road victory for Tennessee.
What Went Wrong for the Dolphins?
The Dolphins struggled on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they couldn’t get much going beyond their field goals, and their run game was neutralized by the Titans’ defense. Quarterback Trey Huntley, while capable of moments of brilliance, couldn’t find a rhythm, completing only short-yardage passes and being forced to run for his life by the Titans’ aggressive defensive front.
The Dolphins’ defense, which had been solid for much of the game, also collapsed late. They allowed two rushing touchdowns and couldn’t contain the Titans’ powerful ground attack. Miami also hurt themselves with penalties, committing ten infractions that cost them nearly 100 yards – a number far too high to overcome against a team like Tennessee.
Final Thoughts: Titans Stay Strong, Dolphins Search for Answers
The Titans’ 31-12 victory over the Dolphins was a display of a team executing a game plan to perfection. Tennessee leaned heavily on their defense and running game, and they were rewarded with a commanding win on the road. The Dolphins, meanwhile, will need to go back to the drawing board as they prepare for the rest of the season.
Tennessee’s ability to control the game with methodical drives and timely scores should give them a lot of confidence moving forward. Will Levis didn’t have to be spectacular – instead, he played efficiently, making the right decisions and leaning on his team’s strengths.
For Miami, the challenge will be finding a way to bring more balance to their offense. Trey Huntley showed flashes of promise, but the Dolphins need more from their stars like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle if they want to bounce back next week.
The Dolphins drop to 2-2 on the season, while the Titans move up to 3-1. With plenty of football left to be played, both teams still have time to make their mark on the season, but it’s clear the Titans have the momentum heading into Week 5.
