The Miami Dolphins are off to a good start in the 2022 season.
They’ve won their first two games, thanks in part to a strong offense led by starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
It seems that the young passer is also stepping up as one of the team’s leaders. According to league insider Ian Rapoport, Tagovailoa has led meetings with skill position players twice per week to get on the same page with his teammates.
From @NFLGameDay: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has hosted post-practice meetings twice a week, helping him get on the same page with his WRs; Meanwhile, #Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett acted quickly, hiring a new game management coach this week. pic.twitter.com/y5JcbXfOlW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2022
“My understanding is Tua twice a week leads a just quarterback and skill position, basically quarterback and receivers meeting after practice,” Rapoport said. “They go over…practice film just so he can understand how they like the plays, where they want the ball and to make sure the timing is perfect.”
If the report is accurate, then it probably helps explain why Miami’s offense has been clicking early in the campaign.
Against the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Dolphins won 20-7. Miami’s defense certainly clinched the game for the Dolphins. After all, the unit held a Bill Belichick-led Patriots team to a single touchdown.
However, Miami’s offense also did its part. Tagovailoa passed for 270 yards and a touchdown. The team’s wide receivers were also on point.
Jaylen Waddle scored Miami’s first offensive touchdown of the game after Tagovailoa connected with him on a fourth-down pass in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill had a solid Dolphins debut, leading all of Miami’s receivers with eight caught passes for 94 yards.
In Week 2, Miami’s offense put on a show. The Dolphins faced off against the Baltimore Ravens, who dropped 38 points on Miami. Fortunately, the Dolphins’ offense was up to the task. It scored 42 points, more than half of which came in the fourth quarter.
Tagovailoa went off, throwing for 469 yards and six touchdowns. Four of those touchdowns came in the final period.
Hill and Waddle also delivered for Miami. The two receivers went for two touchdowns each. Hill had 11 receptions for 190 yards, while Waddle caught the same number of passes but for 171 yards.
The organization is hoping that its offense will continue playing well over the course of the 2022 season. For the Dolphins to make a return to the playoffs after a lengthy absence, they will likely need Tagovailoa and his speedy receivers to keep their momentum going.
Miami will next face the Buffalo Bills, who are currently missing some key players. Time will tell if the Dolphins can take advantage of a depleted Bills squad on Sunday.
