The Miami Dolphins had a two-score lead against the Tennessee Titans with under three minutes to go after scoring touchdowns in rapid succession due to a pair of fumbles by Mike Vrabel’s team.
In a situation like that, most teams would feel pretty good about their prospects of winning the game. In fact, according to Quirky Research, no team had ever blown a 14-point lead with less than 2:55 remaining in a game without going to overtime.
The Titans are the first NFL team ever to be down 14 points with less than 2:55 left and win without overtime.
— Quirky Research (@QuirkyResearch) December 12, 2023
However, the Dolphins found a way to do it. Will Levis hit DeAndre Hopkins for a three-yard touchdown with 2:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Vrabel made a bold call, going for two and converting, meaning the Titans could win with a touchdown and an extra point.
Then, after Miami failed to get a first down on the ground, Tennessee drove and found the end zone again, as Derrick Henry plowed in for his second score of the game.
The Dolphins, getting the ball back with 1:49 to go, were unable to move down the field, and they became the first team to lose a game in regulation with a 14-point lead with 2:55 remaining.
Those are the types of losses that can kill momentum going into the final stretch of the year.
