The Miami Dolphins' season has been nothing short of the biggest plot twist in the NFL this year. They went from 1-7 to 8-7, after going on a late-season seven-game winning streak. This in itself is impressive, and it has taken this football team from being dead in the water, to potential playoff contenders. The Dolphins are set to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday of Week 17. This is easily their most difficult opponent in weeks. Are they up for the challenge? Let's take a look at my four boldest predictions for the Dolphins vs Titans.
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Dolphins Week 17 Predictions
4. Tua Tagovailoa proves himself yet again
Tua Tagovailoa is having himself quite a year. The Dolphins' season has been a rollercoaster to say the very least, especially for the second-year quarterback. He has missed multiple games this season due to two separate injuries. However, Tua has overcome the challenges of his injuries and Miami's brutal early losing streak and come up big for the Dolphins.
For more insight on the Dolphins' Week 17 matchup against the Titans, listen below:
In 11 games, Tua has 2,339 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. These numbers include Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills when he left extremely early on due to his first injury of the season. Tua has proven himself to be a great quarterback for the Dolphins not only now, but in upcoming years. Expect Tua to display his franchise quarterback skills once again in the Dolphins vs Titans matchup on Sunday.
3. Jaylen Waddle breaks the rookie record
We can't talk about the success of Tua and the Dolphins offense without talking about Jaylen Waddle. The rookie from the University of Alabama has already tied a record in his first season in the league, and he's about to break another one on Sunday.
Waddle stole the show in the Dolphins' Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. He had ten receptions for a total of 92 yards and one touchdown in the 20-3 win. His ten receptions put him in the elite company of Jerry Rice, who holds the record for rookie receptions in a MNF match. No other rookie has accomplished Rice's record since he set it back in 1985.
So, what about the record on Sunday? Waddle has been working towards another record all year: most receptions for a rookie in NFL history. Currently, Waddle has 96 receptions on the year, which is the second-most in league history — but he isn't far from first. The rookie needs only five more receptions to tie the 101 reception record set by Anquan Boldin in 2003. In other words, he only needs half the amount of receptions he had last week, so expect that early on in the afternoon for Waddle.
2. Dominant defensive performance
As the Dolphins' offense has continued to grow, so has their defense. After all, it would be extremely difficult for a team to go from a seven-game losing streak to a seven-game winning streak without support on both sides of the football. This is a huge game for Miami, so expect the defense to come up big and hold Tennessee to less than 20 points.
1. Fins up for the dub
The Dolphins will win their eighth straight game on Sunday against the Titans. It has been a long road, but this team is finally coming into its own. This game is a defining moment for Miami, and it will prove that they have what it takes to be a serious playoff-contending team. Finally, my boldest prediction yet: Dolphins win 24-17.
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