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Week 6 preview: Dolphins at Titans
The Sports Xchange
Miami Dolphins (2-3) at Tennessee Titans (1-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Nissan Stadium, Nashville – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein
*Keys to the game: Interim Dolphins coach Dan Campbell hasn’t committed to any personnel changes on his struggling offensive line, but has indicated the team will provide more help to the front five and stay better committed to the run. Campbell seeks better offensive balance to support inconsistent QB Ryan Tannehill, who has been sacked 10 times through four games and has struggled with accuracy and recognizing blitzes. Expect more opportunities for RB Lamar Miller, as long as he responds to Campbell’s call for the running backs to finish their runs stronger and fight for every yard.
Titans rookie QB Marcus Mariota has similarly been hampered by a fledgling ground game, but he has done a good job protecting the ball with eight touchdowns against three interceptions and a very solid 99.7 passer rating. While the Titans rank 14th in the league in rushing, the committee approach has been far from consistent, with Bishop Sankey averaging 4.1 yards per carry but averaging only nine per game. Miami enters with the league’s worst run defense allowing 160.5 yards per game and has multiple starters questionable due to injury. Campbell and new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo spent the bye week looking at technique and coverage “tweaks.”
*Matchup to watch – Dolphins LT Branden Albert vs. Titans OLB Brian Orakpo: Orakpo has been marginally effective in his first season with the Titans, recording seven tackles and a lone sack through four games. The good news is at least he has stayed healthy to this point. The same can’t be said for Albert, who has already missed two games due to knee and hamstring issues. He is set to return this week, but has looked slow-footed.
*Player spotlight – Dolphins DE Derrick Shelby: With Cam Wake (hamstring) banged up and ineffective (one tackle, no sacks), Shelby has been seeing increased playing time, including playing 71 percent of the defensive snaps in the Week 4 loss to the Jets in London. Second-year player Terrence Fede could also be in line for increased snaps.
*Fast facts: The Dolphins play four of their next five games on the road. … Opposing quarterbacks have a 95.8 passer rating against Miami. … Mariota has at least two TD passes in three of four games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Dolphins are more talented than their record and will realize at least an initial surge from the coaching change. Coming off their bye the Dolphins find the motivation to keep their season hopes alive against a Titans team that keeps finding ways to lose winnable games.
*Our pick: Dolphins 27-20.
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