Pressure Point: Tagovailoa’s strong return not enough to save Dolphins

Hail, Tua, the returning hero!

That was the initial consensus Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Tua Tagovailoa’s first game back from his latest (fourth) concussion brought hope to the Miami Dolphins.

Fans chanted his name when he entered the field twirling a towel. Teammates, listless and directionless in his absence, played with renewed energy.

Which made the 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a walk-off field goal all the more soul crushing.

Tagovailoa showed how much he means to the Dolphins. He led the offense to the most points and touchdowns (three) that they’ve scored in a game this season.

Ultimately they couldn’t protect a 10-point lead in the second half on their home field against a sub-.500 (3-4 before Sunday) opponent.

At 2-5 and facing a trip to Buffalo (aka the Land of Foregone Conclusions in recent years for Miami) the season appears headed to the category of so many this century filed under “Lost Causes.”

This is the kind of game that bad football teams give away

— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) October 27, 2024

Tua gets Dolphins’ offense back on track

What was learned Sunday is that no incarnation of Superman can steer this wayward franchise on a winning path.

Tagovailoa played admirably coming off injured reserve. He made some impressive throws, such as the third-and-5 completion to Jaylen Waddle that preceded the touchdown which put Miami ahead 27-18 with 12:22 remaining.

In the third quarter, he had an inspiring scramble on third-and-10 for 13 yards, ending with a safe slide at the Arizona 9, then finished off the drive with a short toss to De’Von Achane for the touchdown.

For the game, Tua completed 28 of 38 for 234 yards. The Dolphins converted 11 of 15 chances on third down.

He certainly made this defeat entertaining and washed away some of the sour taste left by the Thompson, Huntley, Boyle backup QB troika.

But here’s the sobering truth: Even with Tagovailoa performing at a high level, this flawed Dolphins team isn’t good enough against even an average opponent.

Tua Tagovailoa slid after picking up a first down, and the crowd erupted. pic.twitter.com/z6YtxE1Edm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2024

Dolphins defense can’t stop Kyler Murray

Also: Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray outplayed Tagovailoa. He danced around the pocket all day, buying time while leaving Dolphins defenders clutching at his shadow before hitting clutch pass after clutch pass.

Dolphins star receivers Tyreek Hill and Waddle were reintroduced as downfield threats after the stand-in quarterbacks couldn’t locate them during Tua’s absence. On Sunday, they combined for 10 catches for 117 yards — no touchdowns, though.

But they were outshone by Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (six catches, 111 yards and a touchdown) and tight end Trey McBride (nine catches, 124 yards). By the way, it’s no exaggeration that Dolphins defenses haven’t covered a tight end effectively in years.

Kudos to the Dolphins’ offensive line and fullback Alec Ingold, who paved the way for 150 yards rushing with an average of six yards per carry. Achane had 97 yards on 10 carries.

But in the fourth quarter bullish James Conner gashed the Miami defense on several key runs, including the touchdown that cut the deficit to 27-25.

Tagovailoa should have handled botched snap

The tide began to turn with Miami leading 20-10 when a shotgun snap glanced off Tagovailoa’s hands and through the end zone (with Tua’s help) for a safety. The snap from center Aaron Brewer was high, but not that high.

After the game, coach Mike McDaniel said that Brewer “would say he should have taken a little steam off it. Tua says he should have caught it.”

Following the safety, the Cardinals put together drives of 75, 73, and 73 yards for 17 points on their final three possessions. It started with Harrison leading Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey by a step on a long crossing route and making a spectacular sideline catch for a touchdown.

Tua did lead an answering touchdown drive. But with a chance to put the game away, the Dolphins were were forced to punt near midfield with five minutes remaining. They never got the ball back.

Oddly, McDaniel gave the final carry to Raheem Mostert, who was ineffective except for two short touchdown runs.

The lack of use of rookie Jaylen Wright continues to perplex. He got a measly two carries Sunday and ran for 18 yards.

“One thing we always joke about is sliding. Let us fight for the extra yards and you just do your thing in protecting yourself.”

1-on-1 @nflnetwork @NFLGameDay with #Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert about locker room’s message to Tua Tagovailoa in his return. pic.twitter.com/0QQCTBbWl8

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 27, 2024

Dolphins’ season faces critical juncture

Just as time ran out on this game, it feels like the season is slipping away even before reaching the midway point.

The next two weeks they must travel to face the Bills and LA Rams. But Tagovailoa has restored competence at quarterback, as well as confidence.

“There’s always time, brother. Seventeen games is a lot,” Tagovailoa said at his postgame presser. “Whether we’re counted out or not, we’re going to continue playing. … I don’t know how many years ago we started out 1-7, we didn’t have half of the guys we have … we didn’t have half of that talent however many years ago. … We won seven in a row. Not going to say we’re going to do that, but anything is possible.”

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.