Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Dolphins by 6
Forecast: Sunny with temperatures in the high 70s; 10 percent chance of rain.
Records: Titans (Overall: 3-6, AFC South: 0-2); Dolphins (Overall: 4-4, AFC East: 1-1).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 14, 2010. Dolphins 29-17; Dec. 20, 2009. Titans 27-24 (OT). Series record: Dolphins lead 18-15.
What matters: The Titans look to rebound from an embarrassing, 51-20 home loss to the Bears last week. Tennessee trailed 28-2 after the first quarter despite only allowing 56 yards on defense. Of the 51 points allowed, 35 resulted from turnovers or gaffes on special teams. Owner Bud Adams said afterward that he was at a loss to name a regular season home game in his more than 50 years as an NFL owner that served as a greater disappointment for the team and fans. In response, Adams put management, the coaching staff and the players on notice that wholesale changes could be made if his team doesn’t improve dramatically during the second half of the season.
Who matters: Quarterback Jake Locker returns after missing five games with an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder. Locker dislocated the shoulder for the second time this season in a Week 4 loss at Houston. In four games, Locker has 4 TDs and 2 INTs, while completing 63.2 percent of his passes. Despite the injury, Locker is hoping to avoid hesitancy in his return. He will still look to extend plays with his legs and scramble when needed. Coach Mike Munchak wants Locker to avoid attempting tackles if the Titans commit a turnover. Locker initially suffered the injury when he made a diving attempt to bring down Patriots S Patrick Chung during a Week 1 loss.
Key matchups: DE Kamerion Wimbley vs. Dolphins LT Jake Long; Dolphins DE Cameron Wake vs. Titans OTs Michael Roos and David Stewart. Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, is a perennial Pro Bowler and is regarded as one of the most athletic left tackles in the league. Long, though, struggled in last week’s loss at the Colts allowing a sack, several QB hits and a handful of hurries. The All-Pro tackle was beaten on a spin move by Dwight Freeney, one Wimbley called one of the best spins in the league. When the Titans have the ball, Roos and Stewart must account for Wake -- who can be moved to either side and is menacing off the edge. Wake is regarded for fending off opposing lineman with one arm and using the other to maintain outside leverage. The Dolphins’ defensive lineman ranks third in the NFL with 8.5 sacks.
Injuries of note: Starting RG Leroy Harris (knee) was placed on IR this week. Veteran RG Deuce Lutui received high marks from the coaching staff after his first start in a Titans’ uniform last week. WR Kendall Wright injured his elbow in last Sunday’s loss, but practiced all week. LB Colin McCarthy (ankle) has been limited. Dolphins C Mike Pouncey (ankle) and DT Paul Solai (knee/ankle) were limited earlier in the week.
Inside stuff: The Dolphins operate a high-tempo, no-huddle set more than almost any team in the league. DC Jerry Gray has been impressed with Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill’s rapid development by saying that he looks more like a four or five-year veteran than a rookie. Davone Bess, one of Tannehill’s top targets, excels when lining up in the slot. Bess has many of the same characteristics as Wright when placed on the inside. Wright was able to mimic a number of the option routes Bess will likely run on Sunday to help prepare the Titans’ nickelbacks for the matchup. Gray called a game from the coaches’ booth for the first time this season last week against the Bears. He said the view allows him to see the field better.
Connections: Dolphins DE Randy Starks, a third-round pick of the Titans in 2004, spent his first four seasons in the league with Tennessee. Bess and DB Ryan Mouton are close friends and were roomates at Hawaii. Secondary coach Brett Maxie served in a similar capacity with the Dolphins in 2007.
Stats you should know: Chris Johnson ranks second in the AFC in rushing yards with 736 yards and is on pace to finish the season with 1,307. The mark would be the third-highest of his career. While the Dolphins rank 25th against the run, they have allowed the lowest yards per carry average of any team in the league on rushes up the middle (2.90 ypc), according to NFLGSIS.com. More than a third of the Titans’ runs have come up the middle, where Tennessee averages 4.94 ypc (eighth in the NFL).
Record watch: Johnson needs 61 yards from scrimmage to reach 8,000 total yards for his career. The All-Pro back will join Eddie George, Earl Campbell and Ernest Givins as the only players in franchise history to reach the milestone.
Looking ahead: The Titans receive a much-needed bye next week. Tennessee closes with four of its final six games against divisional opponents.
Prediction: Titans 24, Dolphins 23
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
