Photo courtesy of Miami Dolphins
The 7-game winning streak came to a crashing halt on Sunday as the Miami Dolphins were blasted by the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, 34-3.
By day’s end, the Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs. With the loss, Miami fell to 8-8.
The Dolphins will now return home to wrap up the regular season against the New England Patriots. Before that happens, here are five “Fin”teresting facts following Sunday’s loss.
1. A Day “Tua” Forget
It was not a great day for the Miami Dolphins in any area, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa particularly struggled. Tagovailoa entered the day leading the NFL in completion percentage, but finished just 18-for-38 for 205 yards, an interception and a lost fumble.
His 47.4% completion rate and 53.1 passer rating are the lowest for Tagovailoa in any game in which he has attempted more than four passes. Sunday marked the first time that Tagovailoa played and didn’t account for a touchdown since leaving early with an injury against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
2. Titanic Rushing Attack
Offensively, Tennessee finished with 308 yards. The majority of that damage was done on the ground. The 198 yards rushing for Tennessee was the most allowed by Miami all season long. D’Onta Foreman led the way with 132 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown.
3. Tannehill Gets Revenge
One of the headlines entering Sunday’s contest was Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill facing his former team. Draft eighth overall in 2012, Tannehill spent seven seasons with the Dolphins and started 88 games. Tannehill wasn’t overly impressive on Sunday, but passed for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ win. Tannehill becomes the first former Miami quarterback to beat the Dolphins in a start since Daunte Culpepper did so for the Oakland Raiders in a 35-17 win early in 2007.
4. Music City Massacre
For the Dolphins, Sunday’s 31-point defeat was the biggest on the road this season and the largest since September 2018 when the New England Patriots beat the Dolphins in Foxborough, 38-7. That one was also decided by 31 points. The last time that Miami lost by more on the road was a 40-0 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 26, 2017.
5. No Playoffs This Year
With Sunday’s loss and wins by the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, the Miami Dolphins have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. This will mark the fifth straight season that Miami will fail to make the postseason. The Dolphins last made the playoffs in 2016 after missing out in the previous seven seasons. That was the longest draught in franchise history.
Mike Ferguson is the managing editor for Fifth Quarter. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike’s work by liking his Facebook page.