The Dolphins couldn’t do anything right in a 37-3 loss to visiting Tennessee at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday. Miami mustered a mere field goal as rookie QB Ryan Tannehill had his worst day as a pro. The defense wasn’t much better and the special teams were ordinary as the team submitted one of the poorest showings in the NFL this season.
The Dolphins (4-5, 1-1 AFC East) suffered a second-straight loss and conceded precious ground in the playoff race. Meantime, Tennessee (4-6, 0-2 AFC South) looked more like the team fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Offense: F
OC Mike Sherman might want to burn this film Monday. The team generated a meager 255 yards and turned the ball over a stunning four times after entering the game with a respectable minus-2 turnover margin. Tannehill completed 23 of 39 passes for 217 yards with three interceptions and RB Reggie Bush finished with just 21 carries on four yards as he was benched for much of the game after a first-quarter fumble. Things can’t get much worse for this unit and Sherman must find a way to restore confidence in his fragile passer. Previous game's grade: C
Defense: D
The unit allowed 293 yards but played much, much worse. Numerous missed tackles, blown assignments in coverage and a lack of discipline by the defensive line routinely allowed Titans QB Jake Locker to escape pressure. The defense was put in tough positions by the offense and so many turnovers, but a porous pass rush -- the only sack was recorded by DB Jimmy Wilson -- and spotty tackling were big negatives. Miami also saw a streak of 22 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher end as Titans RB Chris Johnson ran for 126 yards and a score. Previous game's grade: D
Special teams: D
K Dan Carpenter accounted for the only points as he connected on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter. P Brandon Fields had a solid, if unspectacular day, averaging 48.5 yards per boot and put one inside the Titans’ 20 yard line. However, the return game was anemic and a pair of illegal blocking penalties on punt run backs killed chances at decent field position. Previous game's grade: C
Coaching: F
The team wasn’t ready to play. A sparsely filled Sun Life Stadium didn’t help, but the Dolphins came out flat on both sides of the ball and looked unimaginative in their game plan. There are only so many times DC Kevin Coyle can bring pressure and only so many times Sherman can call short crossing routes and runs up the middle. First-year coach Joe Philbin is in danger of losing this team if it submits another stinker Thursday in Buffalo. Previous game's grade: C-
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins