Tagovailoa’s Return Boosts Dolphins’ Offense
During quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s four-game absence, the Miami Dolphins looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL. They averaged just 10 points per game while going 1-3 and surpassed 150 yards passing just once.
However, the Dolphins have appeared to be a completely different team since Tagovailoa’s return from a concussion in Week 8, winning three straight games while scoring 30 points twice.
Tagovailoa’s precision in a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots was the latest display of his value to the team.
Tagovailoa’s Performance
Tagovailoa was 29 of 40 for 317 yards passing and four touchdowns against New England. Since his return, Tagovailoa’s 116.2 passer rating is the highest among NFL quarterbacks with at least 50 pass attempts.
He has completed at least 70% of his passes in five straight games, which is the longest streak in his career and the longest active streak in the NFL right now.
Coaches’ and Players’ Praise
“Tua has been playing great ball,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle, who had a season-high 144 yards and a touchdown on Sunday after averaging just 29.8 yards per game without Tagovailoa. “It’s really just him, for real. I can’t even explain it,” Waddle added. “He comes to work every day, and he just brings that swag, that confidence, and when he goes out there and plays like that, man, it’s just fun.”
“That’s the key for our team,” said Coach Mike McDaniel, “is when you have a confident player touching the ball every play that is impervious to the emotions of the game, good or bad, as a collective unit, you can be a problem for people to defend.”
Looking Ahead to Green Bay
Tagovailoa was ready to turn the focus to a tough game in chilly Green Bay on Thursday.
“I would say it’s always great to win,” Tagovailoa said. “We’re still below the .500 threshold, and it’s a long way to where we want to get to. We’ll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us, and we’re excited to go down to Green Bay and show everybody on prime time what we can do.”
Challenges Ahead
The Dolphins historically have struggled in cold-weather games, and their dynamic offense was completely shut down last season when they faced Kansas City in a blustery game at Arrowhead Stadium in which the temperature was minus-4 degrees at kickoff.
Tagovailoa is winless in games of 45 degrees or colder, and the projected low in Green Bay on Thursday night is around 20 degrees.
What’s Working
The Dolphins went from one of the most penalized teams in the NFL early this season to limiting them as the year went on. Miami was flagged three times for 17 yards on Sunday, including none in the first half.
What Needs Help
Miami gave up a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter. Patriots tight end Austin Hooper got behind the defense for a 38-yard touchdown, and cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned a fumble 63 yards for a score after running back Jaylen Wright couldn’t secure a handoff.
Stock Up
LB Chop Robinson. The rookie has improved throughout the season and had the first multi-sack game of his career with 1 1/2 on Sunday. He also had four tackles, three quarterback hits, and two pass deflections. With 3 1/2 sacks over the past four games, Robinson is second among rookies in sacks behind Rams DT Braden Fiske (4).
Stock Down
Backup quarterbacks. Sunday’s game showed the huge drop-off in play when Tagovailoa is not running Miami’s offense. Backups Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley were not able to efficiently run Miami’s offense while Tagovailoa was out, resulting in short drives and an inability to string together any momentum.
Injuries
Starting linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. had to be helped off the field after injuring his hamstring in the second quarter. He did not return.
Key Number
300 — Miami’s defense held New England to 269 total yards, which is the sixth time this season the Dolphins have limited an opponent to fewer than 300 yards. That’s tied for the third most in the NFL this season.
Next Steps
The theme among Miami players after Sunday’s game was to recover and get their bodies ready for Thursday’s trip to Green Bay.
