Cote: Tua’s 4 TDs, big D answer ‘quitter’ claims in Dolphins’ 34-10 win | Opinion
Evidently the Miami Dolphins didn’t like being mocked and ridiculed all week, nationally by the football media and at home by their own angry fans. It was far worse than just the losing. Now the Dolphins were being called quitters and tankers -- players who had given up on their coaches, their season and themselves.
Sunday came their response.
This is what it looks like when one’s pride is questioned, doubted and wounded ... and then answers.
The Dolphins won a road game for the first time all season Sunday, more than impressively, astoundingly, 34-10 at the heavily favored Atlanta Falcons.
Quarterback Tua Tagavailoa rebounded from three interceptions last week in Cleveland to four scoring passes Sunday, despite waking up Sunday morning with his left eye swollen shut. He wore a visor during the game for the first time in his career against the glare of the dome lighting, though he said it did not bother him after receiving antibiotics from the team’s medical staff.
“Looked kind of swaggy,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle of Tua’s visor look. “Quarterback was out there playing out of his mind.”
“This is the sort of the swag we gotta continue to flow over to the next opponent,” said the QB, meaning momentum from the win, not his sunglasses vibe.
Short week now for Miami, with the Baltimore Ravens visiting Thursday night.
Sunday’s was a domination that begged the question, “Where has this team been all season?” No answer satisfies, but better-late-than-never will do for now.
Miami switched it up by moving offensive coordinator Frank Smith to the sideline from his usual pressbox perch.
“When you start a season 1-6,” explained coach Mike McDaniel, “you’re looking for things to adjust and change up.”
Said Tua: “Frank being down here was really helpful.”
So desperately did the Dolphins need a game like this. And coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier’s job security needed it even more.
As for the pro-tanking wing of the fandom, to those Dolfans who want to fire everybody and blow it all up, all I can say is, I’m sorry for your win. Sorry your team dropped a few spots in the 2026 NFL Draft order. Nobody said life was easy, or fair.
Miami still is only 2-6, still a steep longshot to make the playoffs with nine regular season games left.
But after last week’s 31-6 embarrassment in Cleveland that had America ripping the Fins for a plain lack of effort, this victory was more than nourishing, it was medicinal.
“If you got any fight in you, you’ll get up the next day,” said linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the NFL’s tackles leader.
Said McDaniel: “Any time you have an embarrassing outing as a team [like last week], you go one of two ways. I didn’t see the negative way as something that was on the table for our lockerroom. I’m proud of the guys staying together. It was one of 17 [games], but it was an important one of 17.”
Dolfans have literally suffered this season -- been disappointed and even angered by it. But the ones still hoping their team would win each week -- those fans had to think this afternoon was a daydream, wishful thinking.
Where has this team been? A team with great defense and balanced offense? A team that was not its own worst enemy with turnovers and penalties?
These Dolphins dressed up early for Halloween as a quality football team and led 17-3 after the first half.
The defense had held Atlanta to a meager 53 total yards, and only 10 on the ground on nine carries. Miami owned the clock, ran almost twice as many plays. Tua was efficiency defined, with a pair of short touchdown passes to De’Von Achane and then Malik Washington, and no giveaways.
Could they play the second half just as well, and avoid the collapse many Dolfans had to be dread-expecting as inevitable?
Yes. Turned out they could! Life is full of surprises, ain’t it!?
In the second half Miami let up not an inch on defense, with Atlanta not crossing the goal line until five minutes remained. And Tua added two more scoring passes of 43 yards to Jaylen Waddle and 20 to Ollie Gordon, both of the catch-and-run variety.
Tua was coming off two bad games in a row, last week a horror with three interceptions in Cleveland. He’d had 10 picks this season. He needed Sunday, and his comeback game was a microcosm of the team’s. Last week many frustrated fans had written him off as the franchise quarterback. What about now? Wanna give him another week or two or what?
The NFL is funny, albeit in a way that isn’t for about half the teams each week.
There was no rationally explaining a 31-6 loss at the Browns, and more than Sunday in Atlanta made much sense.
Miami’s was statistically one of the worst defenses in the league, the worst vs. the run. But this defense smothered Atlanta and especially star running back Bijan Robinson. Few teams this season can claim an all-round more dominant defensive game.
Tua had six interceptions the past two games but on Sunday, even missing top receiver Tyreek Hill, looked like the player who made the Pro Bowl two years ago. Amazing what offensive balance, a steady running game, can do for you, huh?
The bottom line remains harsh, of course. No perfume or makeup helps a 2-6 record look great.
But the Miami Dolphins looked great on a magical Sunday afternoon full of hope.
They earned the feeling. More than that, they needed it.
This story was originally published October 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM.
