Dolphins vs. Texans: Who won the key matchups?

Dolphins running game vs. Titans run defense

Who won: Dolphins

Impact: The first Dolphins running play saw Lamar Miller go for 13 yards as left guard Billy Turner and center Mike Pouncey opened a nice hole. The next run lasted 7 yards through a similar hole. When Miller broke a 29-yarder through the guts of the Texans defense with the Dolphins up already up 14-0 and the Texans without a first down, analysis couldn’t be simpler: the Dolphins owned both lines of scrimmage. Miller hit a Turner-Pouncey-Dallas Thomas hole for his 85-yard touchdown run that iced a 182-yard first half on the ground.

Dolphins receivers vs. Titans secondary

Who won: Dolphins

Impact: The Dolphins got their initial first down when Titans safety Andre Hal gave Jarvis Landry an extra yard or two on the tackle. That established the tone. The choruses were Rishard Matthews 53-yard catch and run on a slant that opened the scoring; Landry slipping seven tackles as he weaved from left sideline to the goal line on a 50-yard touchdown; and Lamar Miller taking a screen pass 54 yards down a promenade of potential tacklers unable to get off blocks.

Dolphins defensive line vs. Titans offensive line

Who won: Dolphins

Impact: The first five Texans runs went for a loss of 2 yards; 2 yards; a loss of 5; no gain; and a loss of 3 as Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh barged through a guard, bounced off a tight end and grabbed ball carrier Chris Polk. With no reason to respect the run, the Dolphins line stampeded Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer. Hoyer got sacked on three consecutive plays, took four overall, got pressured into a six for 23 first half and the Texans didn’t get a first down until 7:55 before halftime.

This story was originally published October 25, 2015 at 8:34 PM with the headline "Dolphins vs. Texans: Who won the key matchups?."