Nashville, TN – This week, the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins will renew a rivalry that began in 1966 when the Dolphins entered the American Football League. The Titans are 18-21 all-time against Miami, including a playoff victory in 1978.
The most recent meeting between the Titans and Dolphins was on January 2nd, 2022, at Nissan Stadium. Using 132 rushing yards and a touchdown by running back D’Onta Foreman, the Titans never trailed in the contest and won by a final score of 34-3. The victory secured the Titans’ second consecutive AFC South title.
The last time the teams met in South Florida ended as the longest game in NFL history. On September 9th, 2018, two lightning delays turned the season opener at Hard Rock Stadium into a 7-hour, 8-minute affair that Miami, led by then-Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, ultimately won 27-20.
It was not the first Titans-Dolphins game significantly impacted by a weather event. On September 11th, 2004, another season opener between the clubs was played in South Florida on Saturday, a day early due to the approaching Hurricane Ivan. The Titans won that day by a final score of 17-7.
Eight of the last 11 regular season meetings have been played at Hard Rock Stadium, beginning with the 2004 season opener. The last time the Titans won at Miami was October 9th, 2016, when Marcus Mariota passed for three touchdowns and added a rushing score in a 30-17 win.
The Dolphins began play in 1966 as the AFL’s first expansion franchise. Playing the Dolphins twice a year from 1966-69, the Oilers won five of eight games before 1970, when the Oilers moved to the newly-formed AFC Central Division and the Dolphins began play in the AFC East.
The teams have met just once in the postseason. In 1978, the Oilers defeated the Dolphins 17-9 at the Orange Bowl for Houston’s first playoff win since 1961. The Oilers continued their postseason play on the road, winning at New England before falling to Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game.
Earlier in the 1978 season, the Oilers and the Dolphins were featured in a memorable Monday Night game, a 35-30 Oilers win that included four rushing touchdowns by Earl Campbell.
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Recent Games
2016 Week 5 • Oct. 9, 2016 • TITANS 30 at Dolphins 17
The Tennessee Titans rush for 235 yards on 41 carries, including 121 rushing yards from DeMarco Murray and 60 from Marcus Mariota. Mariota passes for three touchdowns and rushes for another score.
The Titans sack Ryan Tannehill six times—two each for Derrick Morgan, Brian Orakpo and Jurrell Casey. Jason McCourty and Daimion Stafford record interceptions, while the Titans do not turn the ball over. The Dolphins score on a 74-yard punt return by Jakeem Grant. The Titans record a time of possession of 36:44.
2017 Week 5 • Oct. 8, 2017 • Titans 10 at DOLPHINS 16
Matt Cassel starts for an injured Marcus Mariota (hamstring) and throws a touchdown pass to tight end Phillip Supernaw. The Dolphins defense records six sacks.
Each team commits two turnovers. Jay Cutler completes a game-winning, six-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jarvis Landry in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins also score on a 38-yard fumble recovery by safety Reshad Jones.
2018 Week 1 • Sept. 9, 2018 • Titans 20 at DOLPHINS 27
With two delays during the game due to lightning, the 7-hour, 8-minute contest is the longest in NFL history. Miami’s Ryan Tannehill completes two touchdown passes to Kenny Stills, including a 75-yarder.
Each team has a kickoff return touchdown in the fourth quarter, including Darius Jennings (94 yards) for the Titans. The Titans lose Marcus Mariota, Taylor Lewan and Delanie Walker with injuries. Reshad Jones notches two of the Dolphins’ three interceptions.
2021 Week 17 • Jan. 2, 2022 • Dolphins 3 at TITANS 34
The Tennessee Titans never trail and limit the Dolphins to a field goal in the second quarter, clinching the AFC South title on a 36-degree, rainy afternoon at Nissan Stadium. The Titans defense forces two turnovers, registers four sacks and never allows the Dolphins inside the red zone.
D’Onta Foreman rushes for a career-high 132 yards on 26 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown, as the Titans total 198 rushing yards. Ryan Tannehill passes for 120 yards, including touchdown connections with tight ends Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 18-of-38 passing for 205 yards with an interception.
