Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa offered a brief response to his critics after leading his team to a stunning fourth-quarter win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Tua is asked about “the haters” and says “Every game is a big game. I don’t want to throw interceptions. I want to throw touchdowns. All I can do is do what we’ve done in practice.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 18, 2022
Entering the fourth quarter, the Dolphins trailed 35-14 and looked to be headed to their first loss of the new season. That outlook changed over the final 15 minutes, with Tagovailoa playing a central role in the comeback.
The Dolphins’ surge actually began in the final minute of the third quarter, with Tagovailoa connecting with River Cracraft on a two-yard scoring to toss to make it a 35-21 game.
Tyreek Hill then showed why the Dolphins gave up so much to acquire him during the offseason by scoring twice within a three-minute span.
The first of the touchdowns came on a 48-yard throw from Tagovailoa with 7:47 left and was followed by a 60-yard score with 5:19 left that tied the game
After Ravens kicker Justin Tucker then gave his team their final lead on a 51-yard field goal with 2:18 to play, Tagovailoa went to work on his late heroics.
Three quick completions by Tagovailoa, including two to Hill that covered 30 yards, got the ball down to the Ravens’ 35-yard-line. Chase Edmonds then scampered down to the Baltimore 7, with Jaylen Waddle then grabbing the game-winner two plays later.
Facing Heat
The leadership by Tagovailoa in the face of huge odds against him helped him quiet those critics that have been dismissive of his ability. Such complaints grew after Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, a player the Dolphins could have chosen instead of Tagovailoa, emerged last season.
Tagovailoa’s own status on the Dolphins was seemingly in question when his name was thrown in potential trade talks that never ended with a deal. Along the way, Tagovailoa’s critics continued to express doubts as to whether he’d ever lead the Dolphins to success.
Given all that past criticism, Tagovailoa could have unleashed a torrent of anger toward those critics. Instead, he continues to focus on leading the Dolphins to the postseason.
Tagovailoa’s next two challenges will be difficult ones, considering that the Dolphins will face the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in the space of five days. The Bills have one of the NFL’s strongest defenses, while the Bengals are the defending AFC champions.
