MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Titans beat the Dolphins 31-12 on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here’s a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Nick Folk was money. The Titans kept sending Folk out to kick field goals, and the veteran kicker kept making them. Folk made kicks from 53, 52, 47, 51 and 29 yards. The five field goals matched a career-high for Folk, and the three 50-yard kicks in a game was a career-high. Folk, who is 39, became the oldest kicker to make three 50-yard field goals in the same game. “I felt good,” Folk said. “I wanted to do whatever I could to help the team win.”
Starting quarterback Will Levis was replaced by Mason Rudolph in the first quarter, and Rudolph finished the contest. Levis suffered a shoulder injury, and after he warmed up on the sideline, the Titans opted to stick with Rudolph. Coach Brian Callahan said after the game Levis tried to come back, but the shoulder was still bothering him. Callahan said the team didn’t want to expose him to a further risk with the bye week coming up. Callahan left no doubt about who the team’s starting QB will be moving forward. “100 percent – if Will is healthy, he’s our quarterback,” Callahan said. “He is our starter when he is healthy, and we’ll be ready to roll with him.”
It was first win of the Brian Callahan era. Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk presented Callahan with a game ball in the celebratory locker room after the contest. “I don’t know if I can put it into words for you,” Callahan said of the feeling. “It feels great, most importantly because our guys deserve it. These guys work hard, and they practice hard, and they do everything right. They deserve to win. It’s good to see some smiles, and some energy. I thought we played a really good game tonight.”