Tua Tagovailoa’s recent performances have drawn high praise from his teammates, who describe his play as “commanding” and “lights out.” Since returning from a concussion in Week 8, the quarterback has been instrumental in keeping the Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes alive.
In a thrilling overtime victory against the New York Jets, Tagovailoa threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score. With this win, the Dolphins improved to 6-7, matching the Indianapolis Colts’ record and trailing the Denver Broncos by two games for the final AFC wild card spot.
“I don’t think two years ago this game occurs,” said Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. “He continues to get better. It’s a lot of work, and all of his work is paying off. He’s a naturally gifted quarterback, and people gravitate towards him. He makes people better, which is incredibly important for that position.”
Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich noted Tagovailoa’s ability to process plays quickly, calling him one of the fastest processors in the NFL. His teammates echoed this sentiment, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill stating, “He’s been playing lights out. He’s been a great leader for this team, not only on offense but also for defense, getting those guys going.”
Tagovailoa’s statistics reflect Hill’s praise; Sunday marked his third consecutive game with over 300 passing yards, making him only the second Dolphins quarterback, alongside Dan Marino, to achieve this feat. Entering the game, Tagovailoa boasted a league-best completion rate of 74.5% and has maintained a completion rate of 70% or better for seven straight games, tying for the third-longest streak in NFL history. Since Week 10, he has thrown 184 passes without an interception, the second-longest streak of his career, and has recorded at least one touchdown pass in 34 of his last 35 games.
During the game-winning drive, Tagovailoa completed 6 of 7 passes for 67 yards, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith. “He was commanding,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle. “He made sure we didn’t kill ourselves with penalties. He wanted everybody to lock in and focus on the details. He came through, made big plays, and was calm in the pocket.”
What’s Working
Tagovailoa’s growth is evident in his decision-making; he is now more inclined to take checkdowns rather than forcing plays downfield. This season, running back De’Von Achane and tight end Smith have excelled at gaining yards after the catch.
What Needs Improvement
The Dolphins continue to struggle on third downs, converting just 1 of 9 attempts against the Jets and only 9 of 35 over their last three games.
Stock Up
Receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill both had strong performances. Hill recorded his first 100-yard game since the season opener, finishing with 115 yards on 10 catches and a touchdown. Waddle caught nine passes for 99 yards, bringing his career total to 4,085 yards—the most by any player in their first four seasons with the Dolphins.
Stock Down
Miami’s secondary faced challenges, allowing a combined 223 yards to Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams, and 339 passing yards from Aaron Rodgers. This marked just the second time this season that the Dolphins’ defense surrendered over 300 passing yards, with several instances of miscommunication noted.
Injuries
Left tackle Terron Armstead was limited to just five snaps due to a lingering knee injury, visibly frustrated as he left the game and was replaced by rookie Patrick Paul. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. appeared to re-injure his hamstring during the game.
Key Number
0 — The number of times Tagovailoa was hit on 47 pass attempts during the game.
Next Steps
The Dolphins will face a challenging schedule ahead, with three of their final four games on the road, starting with a matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Related topics
- Rugby Players VS Football Players: Who are Stronger?
- How Many Hours is a Rugby Match?
- Can a 14-Year-Old Play Rugby?
