Miami will have its third different quarterback in four games under center when the Dolphins play host to the winless Tennessee Titans in the first of Monday night’s doubleheader to close out Week 4 of the NFL regular season.
The Dolphins (1-2) have yet to lead in a game this season — they won on a last-second field goal in Week 1 — but enter Monday night only 1 1/2 games back in the AFC East. They’ll turn to Tyler Huntley, signed off Baltimore’s practice squad, at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson injured.
The Titans (0-3) are one of only two winless teams in the NFL, with the other being division rival Jacksonville. Monday night provides an opportunity for Tennessee to take advantage of an injury-riddled opponent to stay within two games of Houston in the division.
ODDS AND TRENDS Despite their quarterback carousel, the Dolphins are consensus 2.5-point favorites at home. That includes at BetMGM, where Miami has been backed by 56 percent of the spread-line bets and 68 percent of the money since opening at 1.5.
The Dolphins’ -140 moneyline has also been a popular play, drawing 66 percent of all money wagered.
The public is expecting a low-scoring game, with the Under supported by 66 percent of the bets and 55 percent of the money at 37.0 total points.
PROP PICKS –Tyler Huntley Under 32.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at BetMGM): The fifth-year veteran has averaged 24.5 rushing yards in 20 regular-season appearances. However, he’s not considered a true dual-threat quarterback, rushing only 15 times for 55 yards in five appearance for the Ravens last year. And it’s unlikely that Miami coach Mike McDaniel will take many risks getting another quarterback injured and having to turn back to journeyman Tim Boyle.
–DeVon Achane Anytime TD Scorer (+100 at DraftKings): With Raheem Mostert not expected to play, the bulk of the backfield work again falls to Achane. He was held out of the end zone last week at Seattle but scored in each of Miami’s first two games and should here. Tennessee enters Week 4 allowing an average of 124.3 rushing yards per game.
THE NEWS Tennessee scored 15 points in 51 seconds last December to turn a 14-point deficit into a stunning 28-27 victory over the Dolphins. Titans quarterback Will Levis, then a rookie, passed for a career-high 327 yards.
“It was a lot of fun,” Levis said of the comeback win. “But different team, different season for both of us. Any time you play on Monday night, the whole world is watching, and it gives a little bit of extra excitement, so we’ve got that. That was a good win for us, and we’re just hoping to go get another win down there at a point of the season where we really need one.”
The Titans haven’t looked too stout this season while being outscored 78-48.
The Dolphins have different issues after Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. He is on injured reserve and the earliest he can return is Oct. 27 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Thompson started last week’s 24-3 loss at Seattle and completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards and was sacked five times before exiting with a rib injury in the third quarter. Boyle was 7 of 13 for 79 yards and sacked once as Miami finished with just 205 yards of total offense.
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will start against the Titans with Boyle serving as the backup. The Dolphins acquired Huntley from Baltimore’s practice squad on Sept. 17.
“We targeted him for a reason,” McDaniel said Thursday of Huntley, who made 10 starts (including the playoffs) in four seasons with the Ravens. “And it’s a player that we’re very familiar with from the opponent’s standpoint.”
Miami ranks last in the NFL with a scoring average of 11 points per game. It hasn’t scored a touchdown in its past seven quarters and has been outscored 55-13 during its two-game skid. Star wideout Tyreek Hill has just six catches for 64 yards and no scores in the two setbacks. He didn’t practice on Friday, but the Dolphins cited rest as the reason.
The Titans are 28th in scoring (16.0) and 29th in total offense (260.3 yards per game). Levis shares the NFL lead with eight individual turnovers (five interceptions, three lost fumbles). He has thrown four touchdown passes.
Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins believes Levis will work through turnover issues.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else out there on the field the way he prepares and goes about his day,” Hopkins said. “I think he’s going to learn from his mistakes. He hasn’t even played a full season. It’s going to come with time.”
Levis is 3-9 as a starter entering Monday’s contest.
INJURY REPORT Tennessee will be without cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) for at least four games after he was placed on injured reserve on Friday. Standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow) missed practice Friday for the second straight day and was officially listed as doubtful on the final injury report. Cornerback L’Jarious Sneed (hamstring) and safety Amari Hooker (face) are questionable.
For Miami, McDaniel said that left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller both remain in concussion protocol. Linebacker David Long and cornerback Siran Neal missed Thursday’s practice with hamstring injuries but Siran returned on a limited basis on Friday.
THEY SAID IT “Very confident. We have a heck of a coaching staff who’s able to put together a crazy gameplan. It’s going to be a crazy game Monday night.” — Hill on the Dolphins’ ability to overcome injuries at the quarterback position.
PREDICTION This is a critical early season game for a pair of struggling teams who don’t want to fall too far back in the AFC pack before the calendar turns to October. The Dolphins are on their third quarterback in as many weeks and while Huntley is an experienced veteran, it’s a tall task after being signed just last week. The Titans are coming off two poor performances after blowing their winnable opener against Chicago, and finally get in the win column heading into their bye week. — Titans 23, Dolphins 20
