Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like diving into the nitty-gritty of an NFL matchup—especially when it features two teams with so much on the line. The TTennessee Titans vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats on September 30, 2024, was one for the books. Played under the lights at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, this Week 4 clash ended with the Titans pulling off a surprising 31-12 victory, handing first-year head coach Brian Callahan his inaugural win and snapping Tennessee’s 0-3 skid. But let’s be real: it wasn’t just about the score. It was a game defined by standout player performances, defensive heroics, and a few “what if” moments that kept everyone glued to their screens. Whether you’re a die-hard Titans supporter, a Dolphins fan hoping for better days, or just someone who loves crunching those player stats, this deep dive is for you.
In this article, we’ll break down the Tennessee Titans vs Miami Dolphins match player stats in a way that’s easy to follow—no jargon overload, promise. We’ll cover the game’s overview, key offensive and defensive standouts, team totals, and even some fun insights into what these numbers mean for the rest of the 2024 season. I’ve thrown in tables for quick glances because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good stat sheet? Stick around, and by the end, you’ll feel like you were right there on the sideline. Let’s kick off!
Game Overview: Titans Shock the Dolphins on Monday Night
Picture this: It’s Monday Night Football, the air is thick with humidity, and a crowd of 65,291 packs Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins, fresh off a heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills, were desperate to get their high-powered offense—led by the dynamic duo of Tua Tagovailoa (who was sidelined with a concussion) and Tyreek Hill—back on track. Meanwhile, the Titans were winless, with young QB Will Levis under the microscope after a rocky start to the season.
But here’s where it got wild: Levis left early with a shoulder injury after just a handful of plays, paving the way for veteran backup Mason Rudolph to step in. Rudolph didn’t dazzle with gaudy numbers, but he didn’t need to. The Titans’ ground game churned out 142 rushing yards, and kicker Nick Folk turned into a hero with five field goals. On the flip side, Miami’s offense sputtered with Tyler Huntley at the helm, managing just 78 passing yards and turning the ball over twice.
The Titans built a 16-6 halftime lead and never looked back, adding a late Tony Pollard touchdown to seal the deal. It was a gritty, old-school win for Tennessee—think defense, special teams, and clock control—while Miami’s miscues (like a botched snap and a safety) piled up. This game flipped the script on preseason expectations, where the Dolphins were favored by 2.5 points. Now, let’s zoom in on those player stats that made it all happen.
Titans Offensive Player Stats: Ground-and-Pound Dominance
The Titans’ offense wasn’t fireworks, but it was effective—like a reliable pickup truck hauling you through a storm. With Levis sidelined early, the focus shifted to running back Tony Pollard and a balanced attack that leaned on the legs more than the arm. Here’s a quick table of the top offensive performers for Tennessee:
| Player | Position | Completions/Attempts (Passing) | Yards (Passing/Rush/Rec) | TDs | INTs | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason Rudolph | QB | 9/17 | 85 (pass) | 0 | 0 | Steady hand after Levis injury; no turnovers in relief role. |
| Tony Pollard | RB | – | 88 (rush), 1 (rec) | 1 | – | Broke free for a game-sealing TD; averaged 4.4 yards per carry. |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | – | 40 (rush) | 0 | – | Solid backup with 5.0 YPC; added burst to the rotation. |
| Tyler Boyd | WR | – | 31 (rec) | 0 | – | Reliable target on 3 catches; his veteran presence stabilized the passing game. |
| Nick Folk | K | – | – | 5 FGs (53, 52, 47, 51, 29 yds) | – | Clutch performance; longest FG of the night at 53 yards. |
Rudolph’s efficiency was key—he completed just over 50% of his passes but avoided the big mistake that has plagued Tennessee early in 2024. Pollard, signed as a free agent from Dallas, showed why he’s a workhorse, grinding out tough yards against a Dolphins run defense that had been leaky (allowing 112 rushing yards per game entering the matchup). Boyd, a offseason addition, proved his worth as a safety valve, snagging short passes to keep drives alive.
Overall, the Titans converted 2 of 7 third downs (28.6%) and held the ball for over 32 minutes, a recipe for success against a Miami team struggling without Tua. It wasn’t flashy, but for a team desperate for a W, it was perfect. If you’re betting on fantasy football or just tracking props, Pollard’s late score was the highlight—his 88 yards put him on pace for a bounce-back season.
Dolphins Offensive Player Stats: A Night of Frustration
Oof, Dolphins fans—this one stung. With Tua Tagovailoa out, Tyler Huntley made his first start of 2024, and it showed. Miami’s usually explosive attack managed just 184 total yards, with the passing game especially anemic at 78 yards. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for a measly 59 receiving yards, continuing a slump where Hill has been held under 50 yards in three straight games. Check out the top offensive stats in this table:
| Player | Position | Completions/Attempts (Passing) | Yards (Passing/Rush/Rec) | TDs | INTs | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Huntley | QB | 10/19 | 96 (pass), 40 (rush) | 0 | 1 | Mobile but erratic; bad snap led to turnover, intentional grounding for safety. |
| Jaylen Waddle | WR | – | 36 (rec) | 0 | – | 4 catches but no big plays; defenses keying on him without Tua. |
| Tyreek Hill | WR | – | 23 (rec) | 0 | – | Frustrating night on 4 targets; fumble on backward pass was a killer. |
| De’Von Achane | RB | – | 22 (rush) | 0 | – | Limited by Huntley’s rushing; only 4.4 YPC in a shared backfield. |
| Jason Sanders | K | – | – | 3 FGs (50, 45, 30 yds) | – | Kept it close early, but couldn’t match Folk’s volume. |
Huntley’s dual-threat style added some spark—he rushed for 40 yards and scored Miami’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard sneak—but the turnovers were brutal. That fumble on a backward pass to Hill, overturned after review, was the first of several self-inflicted wounds. Waddle and Hill, who combined for over 1,800 yards in 2023, looked out of sync without precise QB play. Achane, Miami’s speed demon, was bottled up, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry entering the game but unable to exploit gaps.
The Dolphins converted just 3 of 12 third downs (25%) and went 1-for-11 on fourth downs this season up to that point—a brutal stat for a team known for aggressive play-calling under Mike McDaniel. It’s a wake-up call: without Tua, Miami’s ceiling drops fast. But hey, silver lining—those field goals from Jason Sanders showed the leg strength is still there.
Titans Defensive Player Stats: The Unsung Heroes
Defense wins championships, right? Well, it won this game for the Titans. Tennessee’s unit forced two turnovers, sacked Huntley twice, and held Miami to 12 points—their lowest output since 2022. Jeffery Simmons and company swarmed, turning a potentially high-scoring affair into a track meet for the run game. Top defenders in a handy table:
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks | INTs/FF | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Landry | DE | 6 (solo) | 1 | 0 | Pressure cooker; his sack forced a third-and-long. |
| Jeffery Simmons | DT | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | Disruptive force; consistent double-teams couldn’t stop him. |
| Mike Brown | S | 4 | 0 | 1 FF | Recovered the Hill fumble; pivotal in the red zone. |
| Quincy Williams | LB | 7 | 0 | 0 | Run stuffer; limited Achane to minimal gains. |
| Roger McCreary | CB | 3 | 0 | 0 | Locked down Hill on key downs; no completions in his coverage. |
The Titans’ D entered with a minus-7 turnover differential but flipped it here, thanks to Brown’s recovery. Simmons, the anchor, lived up to his All-Pro billing, while Landry’s edge rush kept Huntley uncomfortable. This group allowed just 4.5 yards per play, a massive improvement from their early-season woes. For fantasy managers, Williams’ tackles were sneaky valuable in IDP leagues.
Dolphins Defensive Player Stats: Bright Spots in a Dim Game
Miami’s defense showed fight, picking off Levis early and keeping Tennessee’s score low until the fourth quarter. But injuries and fatigue let the Titans’ run game wear them down, allowing 142 rushing yards. Still, standouts like Emmanuel Ogbah flashed star potential. Table time:
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks | INTs/FF | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Ogbah | DE | 5 | 0 | 1 INT | Picked off Levis with a circus catch between his knees; ended Titans’ opening drive. |
| David Long Jr. | LB | 8 | 0 | 0 | Tackle machine; 21 total tackles entering the game. |
| Calais Campbell | DT | 4 | 1 | 0 | Veteran sack on Rudolph; his 107.5 career sacks now include Dolphins time. |
| Kader Kohou | CB | 6 | 0 | 0 | Covered Boyd well; 10 tackles and 1 INT this season. |
| Zach Sieler | DT | 3 | 0.5 | 0 | Run defense anchor; Team MVP candidate for 2024. |
Ogbah’s interception was a highlight-reel play, but the unit couldn’t stop the bleed after halftime. Campbell, the 37-year-old beast, added a sack to his ledger, proving age is just a number. Long’s tackling kept things from unraveling completely. Despite the loss, this D has pieces to build on—especially with Jaelan Phillips lurking (he had a sack in three of his last four home games).
Team Totals and Advanced Stats: The Bigger Picture
To wrap up the numbers, here’s a side-by-side team comparison table. It’s straightforward, so you can compare at a glance:
| Stat Category | Titans | Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 244 | 184 |
| Rushing Yards | 142 | 106 |
| Passing Yards | 85 | 78 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 2/7 (28.6%) | 3/12 (25%) |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 32:45 | 27:15 |
| Penalties | 5 (45 yds) | 8 (65 yds) |
Tennessee’s edge in rushing and possession was huge, controlling the game’s tempo. Miami’s penalty count hurt, including two pre-snap motions that killed drives. Advanced metrics? The Titans had a 62% win probability at halftime per ESPN, peaking at 98% late. Expected points added (EPA) favored Tennessee’s run game heavily.
What These Stats Mean for the 2024 Season and Beyond
So, what does this all add up to? For the Titans (now 1-3), it’s a morale booster. Rudolph’s poise buys Levis time to heal, and Pollard’s efficiency (88 yards on 20 carries) signals a run-heavy identity under Callahan. But the passing game’s 85 yards? That’s unsustainable long-term—expect more aerial fireworks once Levis returns. Defensively, Simmons and Landry’s pressure (1.5 sacks combined) could make Tennessee sneaky tough against pass-happy AFC foes.
For Miami (1-3), it’s a gut check. Huntley’s 96 passing yards highlight the Tua dependency, and Hill/Waddle’s quiet night (59 yards combined) underscores the need for better protection. Positives? The D’s early INT and Campbell’s sack show grit. With Tua potentially back soon, the Dolphins could rebound—after all, they were the NFL’s top-scoring offense in 2023. But that 1-for-11 fourth-down clip? McDaniel’s aggressiveness needs tweaking.
Looking ahead, this rivalry—tied 21-19 all-time—has seen Tennessee win three straight, including a wild 2023 comeback. Next matchup? Probably 2025, but these stats will linger in film rooms. Fantasy tip: Stash Pollard and Ogbah—they’re heating up.
Wrapping It Up: A Game of Grit and Lessons
Whew, what a ride! The Tennessee Titans vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats from September 30, 2024, tell a story of resilience over flash. From Folk’s boot to Ogbah’s pick, individual efforts shone in a team triumph for Nashville. Whether you’re analyzing for your league, reliving highlights, or just geeking out over tables, I hope this breakdown hit the spot.