Week 17 is here, and a pivotal matchup is taking place in the AFC. The Tennessee Titans can lock up the AFC South with a victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Last week, the Titans put up an impressive offensive performance against the San Francisco 49ers’ defense, which is tenth in yards allowed per game (368.1). This week, NFL betting lines have the Titans as favorites over a tough Dolphins team.
Read on to learn about the Titans’ scoring potential this weekend as we analyze the Titans’ offense and the Dolphins’ defense.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
- Date: Sunday, January 2nd
- Time: 1:00 P.M. EST
- Venue: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN
Tennessee Titans’ Offense
The Titans currently rank 15th in scoring offense with 23.8 points per game.
However, the Titans’ offense has not exceeded this average since Week 9. We can attribute the decline in points scored directly to the loss of Derrick Henry. The Titans lost their star running back to a foot injury in Week 8.
There is some good news for the Titans’ offense. Last week, wide receiver A.J. Brown’s return sparked a dominant second-half performance against the 49ers’ defense.
Brown went off for 11 receptions, 145 receiving yards, and a touchdown. The 49ers had no answer for Brown, and the receivers’ pass-catching abilities helped the team convert on 56% of their third-downs.
One note of caution for the Titans’ passing attack is quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s propensity to turn it over. In 15 games this season, Tannehill has 14 interceptions compared to 15 touchdown passes.
Miami Dolphins’ Defense
In terms of scoring, Miami boasts a top-10 defense. The Dolphins have allowed 21 points per game, and over the past three games have only allowed an average of 12 points.
The Dolphins can capitalize on Tannehill’s tendency to turn the ball over. Miami is tenth in the NFL at forcing turnovers.
They have created 23 turnovers this season, including 13 interceptions. Cornerback Xavien Howard leads the team with four interceptions.
The Dolphins have returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, and their defense leads the NFL in sacks per game, with 45 total this season.
Their pass rush is versatile and does not come from a single player. Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is the team leader with nine sacks. However, there are other significant contributors, like linebacker Jaelan Phillips with 8.5 sacks. Even safety Brandon Jones has recorded five sacks this season.
The Titans may have difficulty countering the pass rush by running the ball. The Dolphins have the 7th-ranked defense against the run this season.
Titans’ Scoring Potential in Week 17
I do not believe the Tennessee Titans will score many points this week against the Dolphins. Despite the return of A.J. Brown, running back Derrick Henry’s absence is far too impactful. The Dolphins’ defense is strong against the run and generates a versatile pass rush from all angles.
What do you think will happen? Sign up for an account with BetMGM to participate in the King of the Weekend promotion, where you could win $50,000 by choosing the top six scoring teams in Week 17.
