Dolphins vs. Patriots notes: Tagovailoa’s efficiency shines in win; Waddle makes history
Miami Dolphins fans should be eternally grateful for Tua Tagovailoa.
During his four game absence, the Dolphins looked like one of 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.
“I think it was another game where he’s found a way to improve the way that he plays the position throughout the game,” coach Mike McDaniel said Sunday. Specifically, McDaniel mentioned that Tagovailoa has improved greatly with how he handles the emotions of the game. “He came in at halftime frustrated that there was too many hands, as he put it, on a couple of those red zone opps where he almost turned the ball over, and was frustrated with himself but then moved on. That’s the key for our team 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.”
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.
CRUCIAL STARTER INJURED
Starting inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. hurt his hamstring 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. Dodson snagged an interception in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the game.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Jaylen Waddle caught seven balls for 118 yards in the first half alone. He now ranks fifth in Dolphins franchise history with 12 100-plus receiving yard games. Waddle finished Sunday with eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
“Waddle has been taking his route running, his release work, the nuances of the receiver position, and he’s had so much growth over the last month and a half while also fielding questions left and right, whether it’s in the media or even at home” about the lack of production, McDaniel said. “To get better when the ball isn’t coming your way so that you’re aptly prepared when the ball does, it’s everything that I believe in, everything that – it was an earned game for him.”
▪ With Sunday’s win, the Dolphins have now swept the Patriots in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. The Dolphins have won 11 of their past 15 games against the Patriots. This marks the best 15-game stretch against the Patriots since losing only two games to New England between 1989-1996.
▪ Sunday’s matchup against the Patriots is the 300th regular season game at Hard Rock Stadium.
▪ Linebacker Jordyn Brooks notched the 600th tackle for his career.
▪ Mike McDaniel became the first coach in Dolphins history to win five of his first six matchups against the Patriots.
▪ Since Tua Tagovailoa’s return in Week 8, the Dolphins lead the league in third down conversions (60.4%) and scoring efficiency (60%). They also are tied for first on fourth down conversions (100%) and rank second in points per drive (3.17), eighth in first downs per game (22).
This story was originally published November 24, 2024 at 5:48 PM.
