“From Hard Rock to Healing,” that was the way this past Sunday felt when the clock hit zero and the Dolphins had 15 more points than their opponent. The Miami Dolphins may have pulled off a solid win against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, but let’s be honest—this season has felt more like an emotional rollercoaster than a triumphant march to glory. Injuries have turned the Dolphins into a patchwork quilt of “next man up,” but hey, a win is a win, right? The Dolphins now sit at 4 wins, 6 losses, and a 26% chance of making the playoffs. So we’re saying there’s a chance right?!? A few bounces here, an injury or two less, and we could have been looking at a totally different prognosis on the season. The Dolphins are clearly going for it and are not tanking for a draft pick. They are in “win-now” mode. Things could have been drastically different if not for the Hamlin hit, but we’re here now, so let’s make the most of it.
Tua Tagovailoa: The Heart, The Legend, The Icy Hot Spokesman?
Let’s start with Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ golden-armed quarterback, whose injuries have been the football equivalent of a tragic soap opera. Tua has had more medical evaluations than touchdowns in his career, and every time he takes a hit, Dolfans collectively hold their breath like they’re watching the last Jenga piece being removed. Let’s face it. Tua is a damn good quarterback, when healthy. The issue has been his ability to stay available and an ill-fated decision to not slide in a Thursday night game that was already out of reach, which led to an offensively impotent Dolphins team going 1-3 over the next 4 games after that comfy collision, and potentially scuttling the season in its entirety.
On Sunday, though, Tua showed flashes of his old self. His Brian Flores-era self that would throw short quick passes with high accuracy and a completion percentage to the moon. If defenses want to keep rolling out Tampa 2 with cloud coverage over the top to not allow deep bombs, Tua already showed in his rookie and sophomore campaigns in the NFL that he is more than capable of being patient and winning games with short quick passes to his running backs and tight end. People forget that Tua to Gesicki used to be a thing. People forget that Jaylen Waddle broke the Dolphins single season all-time passing record in his rookie year with Tua throwing it to him in 2.5 seconds. It wasn’t about deep bombs back then. It was about surviving and advancing back then. Tua can run an offense like this. He just had to be reminded that he used to do it this way and that we can win with an efficient offense this way.
People, including Tua, also forget if only for a moment, that his health has been a nagging issue and I know Tua is not worried about it, but I am. I admit it is for selfish reasons but I love the Dolphins and I want them to win. Tua playing is the only chance the Dolphins have at winning. We need to keep him healthy. We can’t have him taking hits inside or outside of the pocket that could potentially jeopardize that. If Tua throws an interception I need him hastily running for the sideline like the Spaniards do in the running of the bulls. I do not want to see him out there trying to make a tackle under any circumstances.
Tua’s stats were an efficient 28 completions on 36 attempts which begat 288 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions—but more importantly, we won and he stayed upright! Tagovailoa’s return has clearly lifted the Dolphins’ offense, though he still moves like someone who remembers *exactly* where they stubbed their toe last week. The Dolphins offense has averaged nearly 28 points per game since Tua has returned and were only averaging 9 points per game in his absence. We need him present like the first day of school.
Zach Sieler: The Big Guy We Missed.
And then there’s Zach Sieler, the defensive anchor turned sideline cheerleader due to an unfortunate orbital eye bone fracture. Sieler’s absence in Tua’s first two games back felt like losing the last cookie in the jar. The Dolphins defense, that had risen to the occasion and played extremely well in Tua’s absence, suddenly slid back like a pastor’s kid his first year away from home in an out of state college. It’s no coincidence that slippage in performance coincided with Sieler’s absence. Suddenly the Dolphins defensive line was unable to get pressure on the quarterback and was unable to stop the run. That was evidenced greatly in the close losses to the Cardinals and Buffalo Bills. It’s not a stretch to say that if Seiler would have played, it’s likely that the Dolphins would have been 4-0 since Tua’s return.
Sieler’s return against the Raiders, could be felt immediately. It was clear Miami missed Sieler’s beefy presence on the line. His ability to plug gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield turned some of those first-down runs into, well, anything else. The Raiders were only able to rush for 60 yards on the ground and their leading rusher was a wide receiver, who only had 20 yards to his name on the day. The Dolphins were also able to sack Minshew three times and pressure him numerous times throughout the game. The defense held strong when it mattered most, forcing key red zone stops that swung momentum in Miami’s favor and the interception by Jalen Ramsey to Sieler the game.
Sunday’s Game: A Comedy of Errors or a Masterpiece?
The game itself wasn’t without its quirks. At one point, it felt like the Raiders were playing a game of “Who Can Commit the Most Dumb Penalties.” The Raiders got flagged for everything from holding to illegal motion, and several bone headed penalties like unnecessary personal fouls that extended Miami drives that their defense was able to shut down in the course of the legal play itself. Also, at one point, the Dolphins were called for running into the kicker when I am pretty sure the punt should have been blocked and the punter actually kicked the Dolphins defender in the head. This gave the Raiders a first down when they had already punted the ball to the Dolphins. I think the refs were making up new infractions just to stay entertained at that point.
Still, Miami’s offense found a way, with Tyreek Hill catching a high volume of short balls to keep the chains moving and get into the end zone. Jonnu Smith turned out to be the middle of the field mismatch we needed and Jaylen Waddle, who has been under utilized as of late, came up big with some super hero catches in crunch time. Hill caught a touchdown that defied logic, physics, and probably several obscure NFL rules, while Waddle danced his way through defenders like he was auditioning for a TikTok challenge in a scramble drill to make himself available to Tua who was running for his life on a play that he extended with his legs.
The Dolphins’ defense, banged-up as it is, still found ways to shine. A late interception sealed the deal, sending Raiders fans (and their oddly loud contingent at Hard Rock) home disappointed.
What’s Next?
Miami’s win keeps them in slim playoff contention, but the injuries to key players remain the big story of the season. Austin Jackson’s season ending injury and Alec Ingold’s nagging calf injury has put a major strain on the Dolphins’ ability to run the ball between the tackles and bust runs to the outside. Can Tua stay healthy and lead the team deep into winter on an extended win streak? Will Sieler’s return and shoring up of the defensive line keep the Dolphins defense cooking as they start facing tougher opponents? And most importantly, how many Uncrustable sandwiches and Icy Hot patches does it take to keep this team together?
The Dolphins may be limping their way through the season, but with Sunday’s win, they’ve proven one thing: even on one leg, this team can still outrun the competition. Or at least, the Raiders. Next up, the stinkin’ Patriots. Fins up!
