Tua Tagovailoa has the Miami Dolphins on a three-game winning streak.
He came off the bench against the Baltimore Ravens to guide Miami to a 22-10 win, but Tagovailoa returned to his starting role at quarterback versus the New York Jets.
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He recorded his highest completion percentage (81.8) and quarterback rating (77.1) of the season, while his 108.7 passer rating was second-highest. Tagovailoa completed 27 of 33 passes on the road for 273 yards with two touchdowns to one interception.
People have questioned his ability to complete deep passes since his hip injury, but the native Hawaiian silenced doubters.
Tagovailoa found wide receiver Mack Hollins for a 65-yard touchdown. He connected with nine different receivers, and Jaylen Waddle had a team-high eight receptions. As a former College Football Playoff National Champion at Alabama, Tagovailoa led three touchdowns drives of 83, 75, and 90 yards. Miami is starting to make up ground in the AFC East after a 24-17 victory over the Jets. The Dolphins are 4-7 on the year and have six matchups remaining in the regular season.
Several Dolphin fans and media pundits reacted to Tagovailoa’s showing on Twitter.
Tua Tagovailoa has the same amount of touchdowns as Baker Mayfield in four less games played.
— Ethan Budowsky (@ethanbudowsky) November 22, 2021
Tua outplayed the majority of NFL quarterbacks yesterday
— Five Reasons Sports (@5ReasonsSports) November 22, 2021
Tua attempted 33 prayers and 27 were caught for 273 yards, 2 TDs and a divisional road win. https://t.co/CnUsfcIWTe
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 21, 2021
Tua Tagovailoa’s QBR jumped to 58.0, which is 10th in the NFL. I’m 9th, Josh Allen. In 11th, Patrick Mahomes.
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) November 22, 2021
Tua and the Dolphins were nearly perfect against the blitz yesterday, per PFF. He completed 7 of 8 for 117 (14.6 YPA) a TD, but the INT also came against the blitz. Passer rating of 118.8 against an extra rusher.
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) November 22, 2021
Only 4 QB’s in NFL have had multiple games at 80%+ completion percentage (min attempts 10) this season. All 4 have had 2 such games. Below is a list of the QBs and their passing TDs in those two games.
Mac Jones 4TDs
Dak Prescott 3TDs
Kyler Murray 3TDs
Tua 6TDs— Smart Guy (@SmartJames1981) November 22, 2021
Jevon Holland (@HollywoodVon) had this to say regarding Tua Tagovailoa’s performance in the #Dolphins’ 24-17 victory yesterday against the New York Jets, pushing their winning streak to three. pic.twitter.com/pnNWhhErge
— Brandon Liguori (@BrandonRLiguori) November 22, 2021
Tua Tagovailoa & Mack Hollins (65-yd TD)
The pass traveled 52.3 yards in the air, Tua’s longest completion of his NFL career, and first over 50 yards. Tua has set new career-longs by air distance in back-to-back games (45.8 yards to Waddle in Wk 10 vs BAL).#MIAvsNYJ | #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/htZKa0kqlQ
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 21, 2021
He has been through injuries and trade rumors, but the No. 5 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft is in the top-10 for total quarterback rating (58). Tagovailoa has 1,471 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and six picks.
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He still has the Dolphins in position to go 10-7 and possibly make the playoffs.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
