Tag: skyler thompson

Titans vs. Dolphins: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 4

The Tennessee Titans take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 and here are three reasons for optimism in Miami Gardens.

The Tennessee Titans are preparing to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 action on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Titans (0-3) again failed to get into the win column, falling 30-14 to the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday.

The Dolphins (1-2) struggled against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 and their high-powered offense has not looked the same since losing Tua Tagovailoa in Week 2.

There is a lot on the line for both teams and this should be an interesting installment of Monday Night Football. Here are three reasons for optimism heading into this match-up.

JIM RASSOL/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dolphins quarterback situation

Who will be starting for the Dolphins this week? That is a great question and one that may not have an answer until kickoff. With Tua on injured reserve (IR) after suffering a concussion in Week 2, the Dolphins turned to back-up Skyler Thompson against the Seahawks.

Unfortunately, he left the game with a rib injury and was replaced by Tim Boyle. Though limited in practice on Thursday, there is no guarantee that he will be ready to go on Monday. If he can’t, will Boyle start or will they turn to recently signed Tyler Huntley to right their ship.

Head coach Mike McDaniel is playing his cards close to the vest. For the Titans, it should not matter who starts, their defense should have an advantage.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

DeAndre Hopkins trending up

After missing most of training camp battling a knee injury, DeAndre Hopkins was much improved in Week 3. He recorded his best game of the season with six receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown against the Packers.

Now, after another week of practice, Hopkins appears ready to take the next step in his recovery and the season and it couldn’t come at a better time for the Titans. With the offense struggling, a healthy Hopkins could help open up the running game and take pressure off quarterback Will Levis and receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley.

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Defense should rebound

After the Week 3 debacle against the Packers, the Titans defense will be looking for redemption against the Dolphins and should face a similar attack. With the Dolphins quarterback situation in flux, the unit should be able to bounce back if they can keep running back Devon Achane in check.

They will face a tough match-up on the outside with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, but with shaky quarterback play, the Dolphins will try to establish a running game to help open the passing game.

The defense has a favorable match-up and they can be better than they were in Week 3. This will be a great game to get back into form.

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Dolphins removed the ping pong tables from their locker room, because that’s obviously their biggest problem

Miami has lost two straight after starting 3-0, so obviously the ping pong tables had to go.

Look out Minnesota, you’re in trouble!

The Vikings’ Week 6 opponent, the Miami Dolphins, removed the ping pong  tables from their locker room this week, which can only mean one thing. The Dolphins mean business!

Miami started the season 3-0 but has since dropped two straight games, being outscored 67-32 in those games. And the losing was obviously because they played too many games off the field.

Sure, the Dolphins lost their starting quarterback to a concussion in the first loss and their backup quarterback to, well, maybe not a concussion, in the second loss. But I’m sure that didn’t have anything to do with the losing. Just like starting a third string quarterback has nothing to do with them being 3.5-point home underdogs this week.

In all seriousness, if removing the ping pong tables truly helps the team to focus, then so be it. Tyreek Hill knows a thing or two about what a winning organization looks like. The decision coming from him and the other team captains makes it a little more palatable.

Head coach Mike McDaniel, who called the decision “leadership,” has also been a part of recent winners. If those guys think the ping pong tables were a distraction, then maybe they were.

But it’s still funny to think that a few locker room games are potentially what came between a win and giving up 40 points to the New York Jets. Especially when it’s conceivable the team would be 5-0 or 4-1 had Tua Tagovailoa never been injured.

Instead, the ripples of that injury, which already includes a much-needed overhaul of the NFL’s concussion policy, are now claiming the ping pong tables in the Dolphins locker room.

I hope Minnesota is ready.

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