Tua, Dolphins Offense Called Out by NFL Fans as Josh Allen, Bills Win AFC East
Rich Storry/Getty ImagesTua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins’ offense underwhelmed on Sunday Night Football, losing to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills by the final score of 21-14.
The Bills secured the top spot in the AFC East with the victory, which means that Miami will not have the opportunity to host a playoff game. Instead, the Dolphins will travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a wild-card matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tagovailoa struggled early, throwing an interception on the opening drive of the game. He settled down in the second quarter, connecting with Tyreek Hill for a three-yard touchdown just before halftime as the Dolphins took a 14-7 lead into the break.
However, both Tagovailoa and the rest of Miami’s offense stagnated throughout the second half. The Dolphins punted on their first four drives after halftime before a second interception from the former No. 5 overall pick sealed the loss.
NFL @NFLTaylor Rapp picks it!
📺: #BUFvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/GqJJdyI3EW pic.twitter.com/z59ByAYVTz
Tagovailoa finished with 173 passing yards, tossing one touchdown against two interceptions. NFL fans were far from impressed with Miami’s offensive ineptitude.
Ryan Clark @Realrclark25Have to be real about Tua. He’s struggled in the last two. Proved he could stay healthy, but hasn’t executed at a high level when it counts. When you can’t match up with his weapons they bludgeon you, but he’s been average to below in the biggest moments against the better teams.
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzzThere has been certain threshold that Dolphins offense can’t surpass this year against good teams. 20, 10, 14, 22, 19 points on offense against good teams this year. Can’t sustain any drives here in second half
Marcel Louis-Jacques @Marcel_LJAnother 3 and out, this second half has been a disaster for the Dolphins’ offense https://t.co/XqHBHH4PRm
Alain Poupart @PoupartNFLPer NBC, first time all season the Dolphins have punted on four consecutive drives. Not exactly great timing there.
Joe Schad @schadjoeThe Dolphins have only 1 first down and 4 punts on 4 offensive possessions in the 2nd half
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasleyTua Tagovailoa in the second half:
6 of 10 for 37 yards
Travis Wingfield @WingfieldNFLThe Dolphins offense is going to have to discover that first half magic here if they want to salvage this game, the division.
Buffalo scores TDs in quick succession and have a 21-14 lead with 7:16 to play.
Omar Raja @OmarESPNDolphins offense in big games really has been the perfect combination of Tyreek Hill drops, bad play calling, followed by a bad Tua interception.
Geoff Schwartz @geoffschwartzDolphins entered halftime up 14-7. Here’s their second half drive chart so far
3 plays, 9 yards, Punt
4 plays, 11 yards, Punt (Bills return for TD)
3 plays, 1 yard, Punt
3 players, 3 yards, Punt
Will Manso @WillMansoWhat a terrible Dolphins drive. Biggest moment of game so far on offense and a dud.
Marcel Louis-Jacques @Marcel_LJTua is intercepted by Taylor Rapp and the Buffalo Bills are AFC East champions
Bad, bad decision
Dave Rappoccio @DrawPlayDaveTua oh man that was terrible
Matt Verderame @MattVerderameMan, that’s a BRUTAL interception from Tua. Played a very poor game.
Now he goes to the subzero temps in Arrowhead.
Matt Infante @MattInfanteThe Dolphins severely undermanned defense did its job tonight. Tonight’s loss is on the offense and special teams.
Mike McDaniel will be rightfully criticized. His offense did absolutely nothing in the second half.
Matt Infante @MattInfanteThe Dolphins severely undermanned defense did its job tonight. Tonight’s loss is on the offense and special teams.
Mike McDaniel will be rightfully criticized. His offense did absolutely nothing in the second half.
The Dolphins officially ended their regular season with a record of 11-6, marking the team’s highest win total since 2008. However, the ending is likely bittersweet for Miami after leading the division for most of the year.
Still, Tagovailoa will look to lead the Dolphins past the wild-card round for the first time since 2000. Kickoff against Kansas City is at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 13.
