The Sports Xchange

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Off to a dispiriting 1-3 start that included consecutive one-sided losses, the Miami Dolphins opted for a coaching change.

For at least one Sunday, a different voice appears to have worked, albeit against an opponent which tends to bring out the best in everyone.

Interim coach Dan Campbell’s first game was a rip-roaring success, Miami dominating both sides of the scrimmage line in a 38-10 walloping of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

With running back Lamar Miller rushing for 113 yards — 18 fewer than he managed in the first four games total — and a touchdown, the Dolphins outgained Tennessee 180-63 on the ground. That was a stunning reversal for a team which entered the game 31st in rushing and 32nd in rushing defense.

“Those guys bought in,” Campbell said. “They believed in what we were telling them. They know now that we have to go after each other in practice.”

Miami’s more aggressive approach was manifested immediately as Miller peeled off runs of 4 and 14 yards on the game’s first two plays, kick-starting an 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 22-yard scoring run off a reverse from wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

It carried over to defense, where the Dolphins stopped the run for the first time this season and forced the Titans (1-4) into passing situations, then turned up the heat on rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota.

In his shakiest performance, Mariota completed 21 of 33 passes for 219 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Dexter McCluster on the third quarter’s last play. But Mariota also lost two fumbles and tossed two interceptions, one resulting in a 30-yard return for a touchdown by safety Reshad Jones with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

Most importantly, Mariota took a beating, absorbing five sacks and playing for most of the game with an injured knee as the result of a late hit by defensive end Olivier Vernon late in the second quarter.

What we learned about the Dolphins:

1. Derided as a soft team under coach Joe Philbin, Miami was anything but in interim coach Dan Campbell’s first game. The Dolphins played with a distinct edge, irritating Tennessee with a pair of late hits on QB Marcus Mariota that drew penalties and winning the scrimmage line all day. The Dolphins outrushed the Titans 180-63.

2. QB Ryan Tannehill put together a good statistical game, going 22-of-29 for 266 yards and two TDs, but also tossed a pair of interceptions to scuttle promising first-half drives. Tannehill has thrown seven picks in five games, an unacceptable number for a player who’s supposed to be coming into his own.

3. RB Lamar Miller was the beneficiary of Campbell’s commitment to running, gaining 99 yards in the first half and finishing with 113 for the game, just 18 below his total for the first four games. That’s the Miller Miami envisioned coming into this year, and that Miller can make this offense much more dangerous.

Etc.:

–CB Brice McCain (knee) left the game in the second quarter and didn’t return. It’s not known if McCain, who finished with one tackle, will be able to return next week when Miami hosts Houston.

–DE Cameron Wake had his way with Tennessee’s overmatched offensive line, notching four sacks and two forced fumbles. Wake came into the game with only one tackle in the first four games.

–DE Olivier Vernon could face disciplinary action from the NFL after a pair of 15-yard penalties. One came in the second quarter on a low hit to the knee of QB Marcus Mariota, and the other was a helmet-to-helmet shot on Mariota in the third quarter.