Randy Moss and the Tennessee Titans take on the Miami Dolphins
The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins get set to clash on Sunday in what should be one of the best games of the week.
Overshadowing what should be a good game against two potential AFC playoff teams will be the continuation of the Randy Moss spectacle. He’ll be a starting wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans as they
take on The Miami Dolphins in Miami.
Tennessee is 5-3 and is tied for the lead in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts. They’re coming off their bye week, which should have given Moss enough time to learn the Titans offense after being
picked up on waivers on 3 November. So far this season Moss has played for the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings, compiling 313 yards on 22 catches. He also has five touchdowns.
Miami is coming off a 26-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and needs to get back into the win column in order to avoid fading out of the AFC East picture. They’re currently behind the Patriots and the New
York Jets who have 6-2 records.
The Titans offence is ranked number one in the league in points scored. They have the 10th ranked rushing offence with Chris Johnson as their key running back. Johnson has run for more than
100 yards in four games this season, but hasn’t run for more than 66 in his past two games.
Vince Young came back from injury on 31 October, a 33-25 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He threw for 253 yards in that game and had a quarterback rating of 123.7. This season his rating is 103.1.
The Titans offense should be able to put up some decent numbers against a balanced Dolphin defence that ranks 13th in yards against.
Chad Henne has had an up and down season at quarterback for the Dolphins. After throwing for eight touchdowns in his first six games, he hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in Miami’s last two games, and the
decision was handed down Wednesday that he'll be replaced by backup QB Chad Pennington, who hasn't caught a snap yet this year. Last year he played in three games and threw 51 completions in 74 attempts.
The Titans are fourth in the NFL in sacks with 26, and if they can get to Pennington early and add to that total, they may force the Miami offence to protect Pennington by taking away a valuable receiving
option.
Miami is not too far down the sacks list at tenth with 21 sacks on the season, but the Titans offensive line has not allowed Young to be sacked in his past two starts.
If Young can throw a couple deep passes to Randy Moss early, the Miami defence will have to adjust by adding coverage to Moss. That could leave Nate Washington open down field or Bo Scaife open across
the middle. It could also open up some running lanes for Johnson to have a big game.
Another factor to look at is the Titan’s 3-1 road record, and Miami’s 0-3 record at Sun Life Stadium. If the Dolphins can’t start winning at home this Sunday their playoff chances will be severely reduced,
but it won’t be easy for them to win against the Titans.
Prediction: Tennessee goes to Moss early, but it’s Chris Johnson that rules the day with a 100+ yard game in a 30-24 Titans victory.
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