Tennessee Titans report card: Can't spell championship without the letter 'A'
The Tennessee Titans (11-5) dominated the Miami Dolphins (8-8) on Sunday at Nissan Stadium, 34-3. And not only did the they clinch the AFC South, but they also hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into the final week of the regular season.
Our grades from the Titans’ win:
Offense
The story was running back D’Onta Foreman, who rushed for a career-high 132 yards and a touchdown on 26 attempts in wet conditions.
The Titans didn’t throw the ball much. But when they did, it was effective. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 72.2% of his passes (13-for-18) for 120 yards and two touchdowns with a season-high 127.1 passer rating.
Tennessee got off to a slow start, with consecutive three-and-outs to begin the game. There were some costly penalties, too. But the Titans surged to score 17 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Grade: A-
A.J. BROWN: A.J. Brown: Titans QB Ryan Tannehill 'wanted to go put it on' Miami Dolphins
DERRICK HENRY: Will Derrick Henry return for Titans' regular-season finale? What Mike Vrabel said
ESTES: Tennessee Titans play defense now, and it'll make them a scary foe in playoffs
Defense
It was another banner performance for the Titans’ defense.
Tennessee held the Dolphins to no touchdowns and just three points. Miami never reached the red zone and was 3-for-12 on third down (25%).
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked a season-high four times and completed just 47.3% of his passes (18-for-38). He entered the game leading the league in completion percentage.
The Titans have held opponents to three or fewer points in two of their past four games.
Grade: A
Special teams
Receiver Chester Rogers, who has found his rhythm in the return game, had two strong punt returns, including one for 11 yards that set up the Titans in plus territory at the Miami 46 and led to their first touchdown.
In the second half, Brett Kern had consecutive punts downed inside the 10. A 46-yarder had a friendly bounce and was downed at the Miami 2. His next one was downed at the Miami 7.
Placekicker Randy Bullock was perfect on his PATs (4-for-4) and made field goals of 23 and 44 yards.
Defensive back Chris Jackson also had a big tackle on the opening kickoff, which forced the Dolphins to start the game at their own 17.
Grade: A
Coaching
There were plenty of playoff scenarios for Tennessee entering Sunday’s game, both in and outside their control. But the Titans just focused on what was ahead of them: taking care of business against the Dolphins.
That mission was accomplished with a blowout victory. And it starts with the tone set by coach Mike Vrabel, who is known to avoid talk of postseason jostling.
“Winning takes care of everything,” he said postgame.
Grade: A
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans grades: A's across board in thrashing of Dolphins
