Pressure Point: Tagovailoa’s four turnovers virtually seal another failed Dolphins season

This is the time of year when the Miami Dolphins can always be counted on to sink to the occasion.

Their 20-12 defeat Sunday at Houston was as predictable as a holiday party hangover. Happens every year when they run into a legitimate playoff-caliber team with their season on the line, particularly on the road.

The question was, how would they screw the pooch this time against the AFC South-leading Texans?

If you had four turnovers by Tua Tagovailoa — the hottest quarterback in the league coming into the game — and a fake punt in your office pool, ding, ding, ding, you’re the winner of a Miami Dolphins Wait Until Next Year poster!

Tagovailoa had gone 184 passes without an interception before he threw one right to Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock on a pass intended for Tyreek Hill as the Dolphins were positioned to at least kick a field goal late in the first half.

Instead, the Texans banked a field goal on the last play of the half off the turnover. Earlier, a strip sack of Tua was turned into the first Houston touchdown.

So, that’s 10 points gifted to the home team right there.

Dolphins fall for fake punt

Add another seven points after the fake punt caught the Dolphins napping on the opening possession of the second half.

Running back Dare Ogunbowale took a direct snap and ran free along the sideline for 35 yards to the Miami 4. That set up C.J. Stroud’s second touchdown pass to Nico Collins.

Still, the game remained within reach until Tagovailoa was picked off twice in the fourth quarter by Derek Stingley Jr. on passes intended for Hill.

The Miami defense did a solid job, holding the Texans to 181 yards and 12 first downs. They sacked the mobile Stroud four times.

Mike McDaniel’s offense spit the bit as the biggest stars failed to deliver.

Tua finished 29 of 40 for 196 yards, one touchdown (leaping catch by Jonnu Smith), three interceptions and a 60.0 passer rating.

“Plain and simple, it’s just my fault,” Tagovailoa said in his postgame assessment. “Very disappointed with how I played today.”

Tyreek Hill no help in loss to Texans

Tagovailoa’s critics will cite it as another example of the quarterback failing to deliver in a big game. His highest-paid receiver must share the blame.

Hill had trouble getting open all day against the Texans’ aggressive secondary. He caught only two passes for 36 yards on seven targets.

On the final interception that snuffed away all hope, Hill had his hands on a slightly under-thrown pass, and Stingley wrestled it away from him.

30 million receiver needs to make that catch……… pic.twitter.com/71VUZxSMQW

— Tua’s back now wheres our defense ‘24 (@Eddiee_g31) December 15, 2024

Jaylen Waddle didn’t have a reception before leaving in the first half with a knee injury.

The running game was nonexistent: 2.7 yards a carry for 52 yards.

The offensive line, with subs at both tackles, got pushed back throughout the game. Jackson Carman was the Dolphins third to start at right tackle.

On the play that Tagovailoa fumbled on a sack by Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Carman and right guard Liam Eichenberg were overpowered by the pass rush.

“We don’t turn the ball over, they don’t get the big special teams play, it’s a different game,” Hill said.

Ah, yeah. Funny how those sort of misfortunes always happen to the Dolphins in these season-defining games.

When Jaylen Waddle hurt knee, #Texans shifted Derek Stingley Jr. to cover #Dolphins Tyreek Hill remainder of game. 'Adjustments when Waddle went out knowing Tyreek their most explosive guy. would be in our best interest to make sure our best cover guy was on their best receiver'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 15, 2024

Stark reality: Dolphins not playoff caliber

Can’t blame it on cold weather this time. They were playing inside a dome in climate-controlled conditions.

This really is the same old story, year after year, and it doesn’t have to do with weather.

It’s about not being good enough.

The Miami Dolphins organization hasn’t fielded a team capable of winning anything meaningful in decades. They will extend their drought without playoff a win since the 2000 season for at least another year.

Oh, apparently there is some formula under quantum physics or some form of higher mathematics by which 6-8 Miami could somehow sneak into the playoffs with wins against the 49ers, Browns and Jets. I don’t even want to know about it.

Because there has been one obvious truth about these Dolphins since Week 1: This is not a playoff team. Nor has their play at any point this season been worthy of that distinction.

Grant DuBose hospitalized after scary hit

This hope-crushing defeat took on a more somber tone with second-year receiver Grant DuBose hospitalized after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Bullock on a pass over the middle in the third quarter.

“I feel bad that I even put him in that situation to get hit,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “I heard some good news that he’s doing well and recovering. We all know I’ve gone through something very similar, and that’s no fun. I just think of what I could have done to not put Grant in that situation.”

Lot of concern for #Dolphins injured player Grant DuBose @KPRC2 https://t.co/L68sSp4YjC pic.twitter.com/kxPtPZmCTR

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 15, 2024

Since missing four games with his latest concussion, Tagovailoa was impressive in leading the Dolphins into playoff contention after a 2-6 start. But with losses at Green Bay and Houston in the past three weeks, the question remains about what it will take to break out of the endless cycle of not good enough for Tua and the Dolphins.

It promises to be an offseason of serious reckoning. Changes could be profound.

Are they still sold on Tagovailoa?

Depends on whether owner Steve Ross sticks with the coach and front office.

McDaniel’s fancy offense regressed this season. The Dolphins aren’t strong enough in the trenches. GM Chris Grier’s drafts haven’t been productive enough, though rookie pass rusher Chop Robinson is developing into a gem from the 2024 crop.

Overall, the depth of talent on the roster is simply not good enough. Consequently, it is no surprise that losses like Sunday at Houston keep coming in thoroughly predictable fashion.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.