Miami, FL (Sports Network) - What a difference seven days makes.
The Tennessee Titans were embarrassed last week at home against Chicago, but
on Sunday welcomed second-year quarterback Jake Locker back to the starting
lineup and dominated the Miami Dolphins in a 37-3 rout at Sun Life Stadium.
Locker had been sidelined with a separated left shoulder since Week 4. He
didn't put up overwhelming numbers in his return, throwing for 122 yards with
a pair of touchdowns on just 9-of-21 efficiency, but the Titans (4-6) moved
the ball effectively and took advantage of four Miami turnovers -- three
coming on interceptions by the starting linebackers -- to halt a two-game skid
heading into their bye week.
Chris Johnson ran for 126 yards with a touchdown in the victory, while Kendall
Wright and Jared Cook each caught a scoring pass. Tennessee opened a 21-0 lead
just under 16 minutes into this contest, a complete reversal from last Sunday
when the Bears raced out to a 28-2 advantage after one quarter en route to a
51-20 blowout -- a defeat that had franchise patriarch Bud Adams "at a loss"
to explain.
The Dolphins (4-5) were coming off a 23-20 loss at Indianapolis last week and
suffered their worst setback of the season. Miami's last three losses had all
come by just three points -- two in overtime -- after the club opened the
season with a 30-10 drubbing at Houston.
Miami rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 23-of-39 passes for 217
yards with three interceptions -- his first picks since Week 4 in an
overtime loss at Arizona. He was replaced by Matt Moore late in the fourth
quarter. Reggie Bush managed just 21 yards on the ground and was benched for
the majority of the first half after a first-quarter fumble.
The Sports Network