Don't fool yourself with the score line folks, the Miami Dolphins could've and probably should've lost that game to the Tennessee Titans who started backup QB Matt Cassel because of Marcus Mariota’s hamstring issue. If it wasn't for the phantom offensive pass interference call on TE Jonnu Smith while Delanie Walker was glancing into the end zone, we might be talking about worst things regarding the home team. Despite the dismal performance from both teams the Dolphins squeaked out a victory 16-10.

Positives

The defense saved the day on a sunny Sunday afternoon with temperatures on the field reaching 113 degrees fahrenheit.

The Dolphins defense was excellent apart from a 69-yard Titans drive in the third quarter, topped off by Cassel’s 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Phillip Supernaw.

Cassel was under constant pressure the entire game limiting him and the offense to only 188 total yards, 3.5 yards per rush and 2 of 13 on third-down conversions. The D also put a dent in the final tally, scoring one of their own when Kiko Alonso strip sacked Cassel allowing Reshad Jones to score on a 38-yard fumble recovery.

"It was nice that somebody could score points," Dolphins coach Adam Gase said of his defense. "That was really impressive to see, how they just came out and decided they were going to dominate the game and they did."　

Rookie defensive tackle Davon Godchaux had a coming out party of sorts forcing a fumble on Demarco Murray which was recovered by Jones, eventually leading to a field goal.

Dolphins fans finally experienced a Charles Kelly sighting, the rookie defensive end out of Missouri had his biggest game in a Dolphins uniform. Kelly was in the middle of a key third-down pass deflection and then had an enormous sack on third-down again near the end of the fourth with the Titans driving for the win.

All in all, the unit did a great job on the NFL’s sixth best rushing offense, linebacker Lawrence Timmons had high praise of his defense, "Our d-line is the best in football".

Negatives

Yes, as many of you can most likely predict, this is the segment where we talk about the lowly offense led by Jay Cutler who only managed to throw for 96 yards and earned an abysmal passer rating of 52.1. The Dolphins offense continues to have major issues and holes every which way you look. In the first half, while being showered with boos and "we want (matt) moore" chants, Cutler threw for just 21 yards and an interception, going into the break with a 14.1 rating.

The average play doesn't end there, the offensive line which has three first round picks on it continues to let down Dolphins fans, a theme that has not changed for about 6 years now. Though Cutler was sacked only once, the offensive linemen were often overpowered, obliging Cutler to hurry multiple throws.

The wide receiving unit didn't do much either to pick up their QB, Julius Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and tight end MarQueis Gray all dropped catchable passes. To make matters ever worse kicker Cody Parkey has missed 2 of his last 3 extra-point attempts. The offense was so bad and stagnant at times that Gase called a wildcat played for the 2nd time this year, failing miserably when Gray failed to hit his target.

Up next for the Dolphins

How does a road game against a high-octane offense coming off a bye-week sound? The Atlanta Falcons welcome the Dolphins into town next week chomping at the bit to go head-to-head against a team that has only scored 1 offensive touchdowns in 12 quarters of football (The one against the Jets in garbage time should not count). It might get ugly down there in the ATL but remember, anything can happen on any given Sunday.

, obliging Cutler to hurry multiple throws.

The wide receiving unit didn't do much either to pick up their QB, Julius Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and tight end MarQueis Gray all dropped catchable passes. To make matters even worse, kicker Cody Parkey has missed 2 of his last 3 extra-point attempts.

The offense was so bad and stagnant at times that Gase called a wildcat played for the 2nd time this year, failing miserably when Gray failed to hit his target.

Where do they go from here?

How does a road game against a high-octane offense coming off a bye-week sound? The Atlanta Falcons welcome the Dolphins into town next week chomping at the bit to go head-to-head against a team that has only scored 1 offensive touchdowns in 12 quarters of football (The one against the Jets in garbage time should not count). It might get ugly down there in the ATL but remember, anything can happen on any given Sunday.
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