The Tennessee Titans came back from a 14-point deficit with under three minutes left in the game to shock the world and beat the now-9-4 Miami Dolphins, 28-27.
This game was the type of gritty performance Titans fans have desperately wanted to see out of this team over the previous 13 weeks. It wasn’t always pretty, but Tennessee constantly punched back every time it was punched in the mouth by a superior team that is a legitimate contender in the AFC.
I’d be lying if I said this was something I expected, but I love it when the Titans prove me wrong in these types of scenarios.
While the hopes of securing a top-five pick certainly took a hit, getting this type of win is the type of morale boost a team needs, especially when you consider what is does for Will Levis in terms of confidence and experience.
When it comes to this week’s report card, this might be one of the few times this season where I didn’t give any position group a failing grade. In fact, the lowest I went was a “C-“, which is a massive improvement from what we’ve seen on these weekly report cards throughout the year.
Scroll down below to see how each position group graded out following Monday night’s thrilling victory over the Dolphins.
Quarterback: A-
The only reason I can’t go “A+” is because of the pick-six in the first half, along with the bad pitch toward the end of the game that also handed the Dolphins a touchdown.
Other than that, Levis was absolutely phenomenal. He showed everything you want to see in a future franchise quarterback from an arm talent, poise, toughness, confidence, accuracy, and leadership standpoint.
Running back: B-
This grade is mostly due to the performance Tyjae Spears had in the passing game, where he totaled 89 yards on six catches. The Tulane product also added another 29 yards on the ground.
It was tough sledding for Derrick Henry, who averaged two years per carry. However, he did score two touchdowns to make up for the poor rushing output.
Wide receivers: B
If the Titans had another wide receiver outside of DeAndre Hopkins who could’ve produced with more consistency, I would’ve gone with an “A” here.
Unfortunately, between Treylon Burks (one yard), Chris Moore (22 yards), and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (28 yards), the three of them only combined for 51 yards on the day. Westbrook-Ikhine came up with a big grab on one of Tennessee’s two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, but he also dropped a touchdown.
Thankfully for the Titans, they have a future Hall of Fame talent out wide in DeAndre Hopkins who, despite all he’s done, admits he still has a chip on his shoulder.
DeAndre Hopkins big day (124 yards, TD) helps Titans upset Dolphins. Our @nflnetwork @NFLGameDay 1-on-1:
“Feels great especially all the teams that wrote me off, said I wasn’t no good, I can’t get open…This offseason, It seemed like everybody said F U…I’m just getting better.” pic.twitter.com/thdM0rZ1P3
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 12, 2023
DHop finished the day with seven catches, 124 yards and one touchdown. He made several big plays and was instrumental in Levis’ big night.
Tight ends: C
The tight end group didn’t do anything special, but it’s nice to see Chig Okonkwo slowly getting back to being an asset instead of a liability. Chig finished the day with 46 receiving yards and had an important 16-yard reception on the game-winning drive.
On the down side, the run-blocking from this group could’ve been better.
Offensive line: C-
Rookie left tackle Jaelyn Duncan hasn’t been great by any means, but the improvement the offensive line has had — especially in pass protection — since he took over cannot be understated.
The Titans only gave up one sack and allowed Levis to comfortably operate from the pocket during the final drive of the game..
On the contrary, there were still too many pressures throughout, the run-blocking wasn’t great, and Duncan and Dillon Radunz must cut out the ridiculous false starts.
Defensive line: B-
This group had every excuse to fold without Jeffery Simmons in the lineup. Instead, the unit, along with the rest of the defense, played one of its best games of the season.
Jaleel Johnson forced a fumble early in the game, saving a touchdown, and rookie TK McLendon came up with the recovery. Denico Autry consistently made his presence felt even though he didn’t finish with a sack, and he made arguably the one-point game’s biggest play by blocking a field goal.
This was the type of performance we all expected to see all year long. Let’s hope the defensive line can do this more consistently going forward.
Outside linebackers: A+
Harold Landry and Arden Key were awesome on Monday night. The two of them combined for four sacks, four tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits.
Landry, in particular, was fantastic on a day when he looked like the player he was prior to tearing his ACL last year. Three of those sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits came from him alone.
More importantly, he routinely showed the explosiveness we’ve all been yearning to see out of him again.
Inside linebackers: C
Azeez Al-Shaair and Jack Gibbens had another solid outing, recording 16 tackles between them while constantly being around the ball. They didn’t help much in run defense, though.
Cornerbacks: B
This was a matchup many rightly thought was impossible for this group to compete against.
But, luckily for the secondary, Tyreek Hill ended up being limited after he hurt his ankle early in the game, and that undoubtedly made its job easier.
Nonetheless, the Dolphins still have a capable offensive arsenal of weapons, so the fact that the Titans largely kept them in check was beyond impressive.
Safeties: B+
In my opinion, this was one of Amani Hooker’s most impressive outings of the year.
The Iowa product had a big hit early in the game that set the tone for the day, along with a textbook pass breakup later in the game. Hooker, who also recovered the blocked field goal, was a dropped interception away from getting this group to an “A”.
Regardless, he’s quietly been really good these last couple of weeks.
K’Von Wallace also continued to be a steady and physical presence along the back end, recording seven tackles, which tied for the second-most on the team.
Specialists: A
He doesn’t have the leg Ryan Stonehouse has, but Ty Zentner had a great day when you don’t compare him to a unicorn like the Titans’ starting punter.
One area where he has Stonehouse beat is the hang time he puts in his punts. Zentner finished with a punt average of 48.8, dropped two punts inside the 20, and he didn’t make any mistakes as the holder.
Meanwhile, kicker Nick Folk was as steady and reliable as he always is, making all four of his kicks (two PATs) throughout the game.
