Dolphins-Patriots live blog: Tagovailoa’s four TDs leds Fins to 34-15 win over Pats
The Miami Dolphins need to be eternally grateful for Tua Tagovailoa.
During his four game absence, the Dolphins looked like one of, if not the, worst teams in the NFL. With him back, the Dolphins have won three of their last five games, including Sunday’s 31-15 victory over the New England Patriots.
Tagovailoa’s efficiency has been one of the driving forces behind the Dolphins’ three-game win streak. He completed at least 70-percent of his passes for the fifth straight game on Sunday and finished with 317 passing yards, four touchdowns and quarterback rating of 128.9.
If Tagovailoa keeps at this pace, he could be become the NFL’s 10th starting quarterback in NFL history to notch three consecutive seasons with a 100-plus passer rating as Miami Herald Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly recently noted.
The other nine quarterbacks to do so?
Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Steve Young, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Philip Rivers and Kirk Cousins.
Tyrel Dodson intercepts Drake Maye:
Make that two forced turnovers for the Dolphins defense.
Dodson, who replaced the injured Anthony Walker Jr. in the second quarter, caught an errant throw from Maye in the fourth quarter.
A handful of plays later, the Dolphins kicked a field goal to put them up 34-15.
Waddle’s bounce back game continues:
After putting up more than 100-yards in the first half, Waddle started the third quarter rather quietly.
That is, until Tua Tagovailoa connected with the receiver on a 23-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.
The Dolphins still lead the Pats, 31-0.
Strip sack puts the Fins in scoring position:
Zach Sieler teed it up. Jordyn Brooks finished it off.
The defensive tackle sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye who would cough up the ball in the process. Brooks would recover the fumble and return it 12 yards to put the Dolphins at New England’s 25 yard line.
Anthony Walker ruled out:
The Miami native hurt his hamstring on a play roughly midway through the second quarter.
Walker was able to walk off under his own power but headed right into the blue tent. He then headed into the tunnel with trainers.
After initially being listed as questionable, he was ruled out towards the beginning of the third quarter. The newly signed Tyrel Dodson will replace him at inside linebacker.
Have yourself a half, Mr. Waddle:
Talk about a bounce back game.
In the first half against the Patriots, Jaylen Waddle has seven catches for 118 yards, including one 29-yard bomb from Tua Tagovailoa.
Over his last five starts, Waddle totaled 146 receiving yards.
Achane notches second score:
Talk about a beautiful play call.
The Dolphins receivers lined up on the right ran in-breaking routes that allowed De’Von Achane to sneak out the backfield towards the right and essentially walk into the endzone.
This is Achane’s second receiving touchdown of the day.
Dolphins add seven more:
Tua Tagovailoa found De’Von Achane on a screen that the running back took nine yards to the end zone.
The Dolphins are now up 14-0.
Dolphins defense force three-and-out:
The Patriots started at their own 30 yard line.
They ended on their 15.
That’s because the Dolphins tackled running back Rhamondre Stevenson for a six yard loss and Chop Robinson notched the defense’s first sack of the day. Robinson’s tackle knocked Drake Maye and the Patriots offense back nine yards.
Dolphins strike first:
Another day, another long drive for a touchdown.
Tua Tagovailoa found Jonnu Smith on a drag route near the goalline. Smith caught the ball then dove past two Patriot defenders into the endzone. One extra point later and the Dolphins were up 7-0.
Tagovailoa and Jonnu seemingly have budding chemistry that has been very fruitful as of late. This is the third touchdown that the duo has connected on in the last two weeks.
We got an Olympian in the house:
Gold medalist Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry is in the building!
Terry earned a gold medal at the Paris Olympics in the women’s 100-meter relay.
The sprinter is part of a long legacy of successful track-and-field athletes at Miami Northwestern.
A potential Calais Campbell trade:
The starting defensive tackle almost found himself on the Baltimore Ravens near the trade deadline, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning.
Rapoport explained the situation as follows:
“As the deal got closer, sources say, the Dolphins resisted. At various points over a hectic two days before the deadline, sources involved believed a deal was getting done and Campbell would return to Baltimore.
That is until Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stepped in. Sources say McDaniel stopped the deal, believing that Campbell was too valuable to lose. McDaniel told Campbell this to his face in a meeting.
McDaniel couldn’t get behind dealing one of their team leaders and defensive stalwarts, even if it would clear some money and bring back a 2026 fifth-rounder for a team that was then 2-6 and without a lot of hope for a turnaround.”
Fullback Alec Ingold (calf) will return for his game since Nov. 3.
The Dolphins will also have Terron Armstead, who hasn’t practiced in two weeks as he continues to nurse a knee injury.
Both Ingold and Armstead were initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
The full list of inactives includes running back Jeff Wilson Jr., linebacker Mohamed Kamara, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer, tight end Jack Stoll, receiver Dee Eskridge as well as cornerbacks Ethan Bonner and Kendall Fuller, the latter of whom has been in concussion protocol since the Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Pregame Dolphins reading:
Check out these stories prior to kickoff.
▪ Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dolphins-Patriots game
▪ Dolphins elevate two, wait on two others. And offensive line coach weighs in. And notes
▪ The Miami Dolphins don’t care about your fantasy team. They want to win.
▪ Elite tight ends have gashed the Dolphins defense. They need to find a solution now
▪ Kelly: Consider Anthony Weaver’s days in Miami numbered
This story was originally published November 24, 2024 at 11:56 AM.
