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Things begin at home for the Dolphins against a playoff team from last season in the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee finished 9-7 and ultimately topped the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round before falling to the New England Patriots in the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.
In what we intend to be a weekly series, we'll be looking at the Dolphins' five best moments all-time against the Titans' franchise. This includes contests against the Houston and Tennessee Oilers.
Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans
All-Time Series: Miami leads 20-17
All-Time Series in Miami: Miami leads 12-9
Last Meeting: Miami won 16-10 (Oct. 8, 2017)
Last Meeting in Miami: Miami won 16-10 (Oct. 8, 2017)
TOP 5 MOMENTS
5. Nedney Knocks Through Game-Winner
Miami Dolphins 23, Houston Oilers 20
Nov. 17, 1996
The final meeting between the teams in Houston wasn't decided until the clock hit triple zeroes. The Houston Oilers raced to a 14-0 lead in the 1996 contest and looked to be in control. Miami was able to chip away and took its first lead on a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown by Zach Thomas with 11:42 remaining in the game. Al Del Greco's 34-yard field goal with 3:20 to play evened the game, but quarterback Dan Marino, who finished with 237 yards passing, was able to move Miami into field goal range for a short field goal. Rookie Joe Nedney's 29-yard kick split the uprights as time expired.
4. Del Greco Misses, Mare Makes
Tennessee Oilers 13, Miami Dolphins 16 (OT)
Sept. 7, 1997
The Dolphins looked destined for a Week 2 loss early on in 1997. With time ticking away, the Tennessee Oilers moved into field goal range and sent out kicker Al Del Greco for a potential game-winning field goal with the score knotted at 13. Fortunately for Miami, Del Greco's kick sailed wide and the contest went into overtime. Tennessee would never see the football again as Miami reached field goal range. For the second year in a row, it would be a rookie kicker who did in the Oilers as Olindo Mare connected on a 29-yard field goal to seal the victory. The Oilers had led most of the way until Miami finally found the end zone to knot the game up on a 2-yard touchdown run by Irving Spikes early in the final quarter.
3. Stoyanovich Connects From Deep
Houston Oilers 16, Miami Dolphins 19
Nov. 22, 1992
For a third straight contest on the list, a made kick for the Dolphins was the difference. In a 1992 contest with serious playoff implications, the Dolphins fell behind 10-0 before rallying to get back into the game. After kicker Pete Stoyanovich knotted the game 16-16 earlier in the fourth quarter, the reliable right-footed kicker was sent on with just seconds remaining to try a 52-yard field goal. Stoyanovich's kick split the uprights with two seconds left as Miami improved to 8-3 and would go on to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs.
2. First-Ever Road Win
Miami Dolphins 20, Houston Oilers 13
Oct. 23, 1966
One week after beating the Denver Broncos for their first-ever win as franchise, the Dolphins headed to Houston looking to do something they had never done before -- win on the road. George Wilson's 80-yard touchdown strike to Bo Roberson set the tone for Miami. Wilson would finish 4-for-4 passing for 88 yards and the score while Rick Norton and Cookie Gilchrist also hooked up for a touchdown. Kicker Gene Mingo connected on kicks of 43 and 42 yards in the second half for Miami. The Dolphins' defense intercepted Houston quarterback George Blanda four times with three of those landing in the arms of defensive back Willie West. It would be nearly two years later before the Dolphins won another road game. That one also came in Houston.
1. Marino Leads First-Ever Fourth Quarter Comeback
Miami Dolphins 24, Houston Oilers 17
Dec. 4, 1983
As a rookie in 1983, quarterback Dan Marino was starting to turn heads across the NFL, but until the first Sunday in December, the Pittsburgh rookie had never led the Dolphins to a victory when trailing in the fourth quarter. Against a lowly 1-12 Oilers team, that would change. Miami trailed 14-0 early, but had drawn to within a touchdown entering the final quarter. With 11:46 to play, Marino fired his only touchdown pass of the game on a 28-yard strike to Nat Moore to even the game, 17-17. A 5-yard touchdown run by Tony Nathan with 3:51 to play would be the game-winner for Miami as Marino engineered his first fourth quarter comeback. Over the next 16 years, Marino would do it 35 more times.
Mike Ferguson is the founder of Days of Dolphins Past. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.
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