Titans’ Rudolph takes over QB position in win over Huntley, Dolphins

MIAMI – The Tennessee Titans picked up their first win of the season after quarterback Mason Rudolph replaced the injured Will Levis midway through the first quarter on Monday. The Titans defeated the Miami Dolphins, 31-12, on the road, starting their third quarterback in four games.

Tyler Huntley got the starting nod after they signed him from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad on September 16 as they continue to try to find a solution in the absence of the injured Tua Tagovailoa, but Huntley wasn’t the answer under the bright lights of Hard Rock Stadium.

The Titans defense was swarming and limited Miami totaled 184 yards, and they were able to take care of things on the ground – scoring 142 yards and two touchdowns.

Here are the key things to know from Monday night for both teams:

Things looked extremely bleak for the Titans after their 0-3 start to the season. The win over the Dolphins changes things heading into the bye week. The Titans feel they should have won two of their first three games, but now they will have some momentum heading into the bye week.

Titans coach Brian Callahan will have a lot to think about before Tennessee gets back on the field with its quarterback situation.

play

Will Levis leaves the game after diving to the 1st down marker

Will Levis is injured trying to extend his run for a first down, and Mason Rudolph takes over at quarterback for the Titans. (edited)

QB breakdown: Rudolph came in and ran the Titans offense like the veteran he is. It wasn’t pretty, but he made enough plays to get the Titans scoring. His best throw was a 26-yard laser toss to Tyler Boyd, who made a 53-yard field goal at halftime.

Promising trend: The Titans rushing offense had a great performance. Their previous high was 61 yards in the opener against the Bears. Tony Pollard led the way with 82 yards, but Tyjae Spears scored the Titans’ only touchdown of the game with a 7-yard run from the Wildcat formation.

Amazing statistics: Nick Folk, at age 39, became the oldest player in NFL history to make three field goals of 50 or more yards in a game. He finished the night 5-for-5. – Turron Davenport

Next game: vs. Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET, October 13)

An ugly start to the season got worse for the Dolphins.

The game was the Dolphins’ third straight loss and their record is their worst start under coach Mike McDaniel. Miami struggled to move the ball with Huntley most of the evening; Late in the fourth quarter, Huntley led an 85-yard scoring drive that gained significantly more yards than the previous 10 drives combined (84 yards).

With Tagovailoa out for at least two more games, the Dolphins are at risk of their season slipping during what is probably the easiest part of their schedule. They are still the only team this season that hasn’t held the lead for even a second. Their only win came on a field goal as time expired in Week 1.

Describe the game in two words: Persevere. For example, dear Dolphins fans. If this product doesn’t improve drastically in the next three weeks, not even Tagovailoa’s return will save this season. Huntley was less effective than Skylar Thompson – which was to be expected considering he signed with the team less than two weeks before his first assignment. After finishing the first half with 77 total yards, Miami managed just 7 yards in the third quarter as Tennessee ran away with the game.

Stunning NextGen Stats: Without the threat of a downfield passing game, the Titans outscored eight of the Dolphins players. 17 targeted rushing attempts to their running backs. The strategy largely shut down Miami’s running game, as Jaylen Wright and De’Vachane combined for 47 yards on 19 carries. Huntley led them with 40 rushing yards and Miami’s first touchdown since Week 2 on a scramble late in the fourth quarter, but the glory was almost over by that point.

Early forecast for next week: The Dolphins will lose to the New England Patriots. Huntley is clearly not entirely comfortable in this offense, and while another week of practice should help, New England will likely sell out to stop the run with its No. 9 run defense and Huntley’s arm to win force. If he doesn’t improve, it will mean three straight losses and a 1-4 bye record for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations this season. — Marcel Louis Jacques

Next game: at the New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)