A slow start was followed by a clutch opening drive in the 2nd Half by Tua
The big question all week for Phins fans was would Tua Tagovailoaplay against the Bengals. It was pretty much a given that even after a short layoff that he’d at least play pretty well against Cincy, but he needed a tune-up before facing the defending Super Bowl Champs the Chiefs coming to Miami this week. Well, Tua not only played well but added a cherry on top with his best pro performance statistically and a signature drive in a wild, sloppy game where a leader was desperately needed. This was about as good a game for Tua as could be expected.
Yes, it was only the Bengals, but the pressure was very high
The Phins offense as a whole was ugly in the 1st half generating only 143 yards. While a drop by Grant hurt Tua’s statistics, a few poor passes added plenty to his minimal 111 yards in two quarters. Given Tua is a rookie and has missed nearly a game and a half, this was expected. But. while both teams were sloppy, Cincy was in the lead going into the 3rd Qtr, and the announcers speculated that Tua might get benched again if he didn’t play better. I thought this was offbase as his completion percentage was very high.
However you slice it, the pressure was high for both Tua and the Dolphins as a loss would likely cripple their playoff hopes.
But, Tua came out firing in an uptempo offense and drove down the field for the go-ahead score!
Tua delivered a beautiful strike between two defenders for 17 yard gain. It was his quick release that held the defenders and allowed his pass to sneak through the cracks. This fast release is proving to be one of his biggest assets on the pro level.
A sweet touch pass over two defenders into the gap between two zones to Parker that was the second chunk play of the drive.
The role out throw to Gaskin on the move, deep over two defenders, is a signature Tua pass. It’s a pass that very few in the NFL can make and clearly paints the picture of him being special.
The pass to Parker in the endzone wasn’t a good throw or the right read, but time will solve this problem.
Hitting Gesicki on the move and over a charging defender showed excellent accuracy and clutch play.
This was a real building block for Tua
No, he wasn’t under much pressure, which is the key hurdle that Tua needs to overcome. For some odd reason, the Bengals decided not to bring a pressure defense. And yes, they were only the Bengals…
… Still, this game did a few things to add evidence that Tua will be a quality QB on the NFL level:
Tua showed he could play nicked up.
Again proved when kept clean he can slice and dice a defense.
Showed how potent his tool kit of throwing on the run, quick release, and accuracy can be against an NFL defense.
Put a notch of clutch leadership on his belt.
The Chiefs game will be more important for Tua and the Phins
Of course, Miami has a chance to win, but even if the game is sorta’ close, I won’t feel terrible if we lose. The Dolphins can only lose steam if they are mauled and will gain a massive boost should they pull out the upset. All the stuff in between is a push. But, for Tua, there is more at stake and more to gain.
This will likely be a game with plenty of points, so Tua will be forced into passing the football. The Chiefs don’t get many sacks, but they are 2nd in interceptions. This will force Tua to toe the line between aggressive and smart. Even a 2 to 1 TD/ Int ratio with quality yards gained will be a moral victory and another building block for his confidence. You can bet with the pay per head services that anything better than this will be a huge notch in his belt, even if Miami loses.
The rest of the season is clearly now Tua’s to command. At 8-4, Miami needs at least two wins to be in line for a playoff spot. It’s going to be tough with so much competition for that 7th spot. If Tua can hold his own and lead Miami to even two more wins, then there’s no reason not to expect special things in 2021…
Yes, the true test will be how well Tua plays against the Chiefs, even in a loss! Dolphins are only given a 46% chance to make the playoffs. This is due to strenghth of schedule remaining vs. other teams like Raiders, Ravens, etc. However, even at 9-7 and no playoffs, this is a win all around this year. Still some fairly glaring holes like the OL and our run offense, as well as, run defense. The DL has gotten better, especially Davis, but we still can be soft. I see our 2 first round picks being MLB, and RT. The marginal run game on offense is more of a concern for me vs. the run defense. A solid RT in the draft would protect Tua’s blind side, and open the door for better run options. I have to be honest, I think in FA, the team needs to go hard after a top flight RG. Jesse Davis is decent, and Kindley and Hunt are developing maulers, but they lack athletic agility and footwork, and as such, don’t get to the second level that often. Regarding the LG, Flowers was supposed to be superstar when the Giants first drafted him #1 early in the first round, but to date, has not developed into that dominnating OG. Flowers also has trouble getting to the second level. I could see the team going hard after what they perceive is two (2) FA OG’s. My point is that to take this thing to the next level, Dolphins will need to run the ball well and also stop the run! I think if we get into the playoffs these two areas of weakness will be exposed. I could see Derek Henry getting 200+yard on the ground! I am not trying to put a damper on a good win! It does not matter who we played the last two games, Dolphhins held Jets and Cincy to just 10 points total combined over the past two weeks with just one touchdown! The other teams’ guys get paid too! We will need to win at least two of the remaing four games. All are winnable, but I could also see a 1-3 or worse 0-4 finish. December has not been kind to the Dolphins. Chiefs will be very tough, but we play the Pats tough and since it will be in Miami, we have a chance there. Bills will be tough, but games have been close. The team went up to New England last year and beat a playoff bound Pats team looking for a bye, so anything is possible. Raiders is winnable. All four games will test this team. Finally, do you know if and when Preston Williams is slated to come back? I know the team had to put him on IR for at least 3 games. His absence has been felt. I think if we had him in the Denver game, we could have pulled that one out in OT. Williams and Parker are extremely tough to contain in the red zone. Both are 6’4″/6′ 5″, 220ish pounds and fast. If you key on one, the other is open! Your thoughts?
He’ll likley be kept clean except if KC gets the early lead and Tua is forced to pass. It will be a stiff challenge as the secondary will challenge his throws and he’ll have to keep pace with Mahomes to some degree. Flowers is expected to return soon… whenever that is. Yeah, the run D is better than last year, but we are still lacking. Some is being thin and some because of young players and some because we need a talent boost in some areas. Not sure about the final record over these next four games… 1-4 I’d say is the worst we would do. Raiders barely beat the Jets. Pats will be tough… look what they did to Herbert! Williams is missed as he is more of a vertical threat than Parker. Yeah, Parker and Williams are a formidable combo… this will be a very interesting last four games. It’s all gravvy att his point though. But, if they went 0-4 it would spoil the taste. Hope all is well, Stephen.
MJ,
Yes, the true test will be how well Tua plays against the Chiefs, even in a loss! Dolphins are only given a 46% chance to make the playoffs. This is due to strenghth of schedule remaining vs. other teams like Raiders, Ravens, etc. However, even at 9-7 and no playoffs, this is a win all around this year. Still some fairly glaring holes like the OL and our run offense, as well as, run defense. The DL has gotten better, especially Davis, but we still can be soft. I see our 2 first round picks being MLB, and RT. The marginal run game on offense is more of a concern for me vs. the run defense. A solid RT in the draft would protect Tua’s blind side, and open the door for better run options. I have to be honest, I think in FA, the team needs to go hard after a top flight RG. Jesse Davis is decent, and Kindley and Hunt are developing maulers, but they lack athletic agility and footwork, and as such, don’t get to the second level that often. Regarding the LG, Flowers was supposed to be superstar when the Giants first drafted him #1 early in the first round, but to date, has not developed into that dominnating OG. Flowers also has trouble getting to the second level. I could see the team going hard after what they perceive is two (2) FA OG’s. My point is that to take this thing to the next level, Dolphins will need to run the ball well and also stop the run! I think if we get into the playoffs these two areas of weakness will be exposed. I could see Derek Henry getting 200+yard on the ground! I am not trying to put a damper on a good win! It does not matter who we played the last two games, Dolphhins held Jets and Cincy to just 10 points total combined over the past two weeks with just one touchdown! The other teams’ guys get paid too! We will need to win at least two of the remaing four games. All are winnable, but I could also see a 1-3 or worse 0-4 finish. December has not been kind to the Dolphins. Chiefs will be very tough, but we play the Pats tough and since it will be in Miami, we have a chance there. Bills will be tough, but games have been close. The team went up to New England last year and beat a playoff bound Pats team looking for a bye, so anything is possible. Raiders is winnable. All four games will test this team. Finally, do you know if and when Preston Williams is slated to come back? I know the team had to put him on IR for at least 3 games. His absence has been felt. I think if we had him in the Denver game, we could have pulled that one out in OT. Williams and Parker are extremely tough to contain in the red zone. Both are 6’4″/6′ 5″, 220ish pounds and fast. If you key on one, the other is open! Your thoughts?
He’ll likley be kept clean except if KC gets the early lead and Tua is forced to pass. It will be a stiff challenge as the secondary will challenge his throws and he’ll have to keep pace with Mahomes to some degree. Flowers is expected to return soon… whenever that is. Yeah, the run D is better than last year, but we are still lacking. Some is being thin and some because of young players and some because we need a talent boost in some areas. Not sure about the final record over these next four games… 1-4 I’d say is the worst we would do. Raiders barely beat the Jets. Pats will be tough… look what they did to Herbert! Williams is missed as he is more of a vertical threat than Parker. Yeah, Parker and Williams are a formidable combo… this will be a very interesting last four games. It’s all gravvy att his point though. But, if they went 0-4 it would spoil the taste. Hope all is well, Stephen.