Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins lose to Packers, questioning playoffs

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida. Miami Dolphins freshman coach Mike McDaniel likes to say that adversity brings alternative. However the Dolphins’ foremost playoff alternative could also be slipping away.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three straight interceptions within the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins misplaced to the Inexperienced Bay Packers 26–20 at residence on Sunday, ruining Christmas in Miami for some.

“Simply actually sorry. It is simply terrible the way it ended,” Tagovailoa stated. “Like I instructed the fellows, it is on me. I’ll positively get well from this.”

The Dolphins might should replicate after this, though many gamers insist they continue to be assured of their final two video games.

They misplaced 4 in a row (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Payments and Packers) and misplaced in a decider for the third time in a row. And so they’re clinging to seventh place and final seed within the AFC playoffs after December 0-4.

Observe each sport: Newest NFL Scores & Schedule

Simply look how sadly Tagovailoa squandered Miami’s alternative in a late sport in opposition to Inexperienced Bay:

After Aaron Rodgers tackled Dolphins rookie Kader Kohow early within the fourth quarter of the sport 20–20, Tagovailoa defeated Tyreke Hill within the first play of the drive that adopted.

“Within the first case, I attempted to throw him over the defender, however ultimately I actually threw him over the defender and Tyreek, so one left,” Tagovailoa stated.

NFL WEEK 16: Outcomes, recaps and highlights of all video games

PLAY OFF PHOTO: Jaguars make playoffs, Payments win AFC East

NFL NEWSLETTER: Subscribe now for unique content material despatched to your inbox

The second disenchanted much more. The Dolphins fielded the Packers to steer 23–20. And Tagovailoa was surgical on a subsequent journey.

He threw a 16-yard bullet excessive sufficient for Jaylen Waddle to lock onto. He threw a 10-yard move down the middle to Trent Sherfield to transform at third and seventh. And he discovered Hill racing down the center of the sphere to be the primary to maneuver the chains another time.

However Tagovailoa did not see Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell ready in middle as he tried to hit Mostert with a seam move.

“Second, I’ll have stated the improper transfer. I am not too certain,” Tagovailoa stated. “However there have been just some communication errors.”

And because the Packers solely elevated their tally with a 26–20 discipline objective with 2:02 left, Tagovailoa noticed Packers guard Rasool Douglas soar forward of tight finish Mike Gesicki to land the ending blow on Christmas Day.

“Again then, the third ball was simply not proper for my receivers to play it,” Tagovailoa stated.

“You already know it is exhausting. You could have the chance to play at Christmas in opposition to a very good workforce and I am out of the sport and actually – not capable of do my finest for our workforce.”

It was the horrific finale to the second coldest sport in Dolphins historical past, with temperatures of 46 levels in the course of the sport. The coldest temperature was 40 levels in opposition to Kansas Metropolis in 1989.

Miami has seen all three legs of the sport produce massive playoff-worthy video games, in addition to present the kind of video games that may finish their postseason hopes earlier than they even attain them.

“No. I do not assume we’ve got that form of soul looking,” Dolphins defenseman Xavien Howard stated. “It was a very good sport. Ebb and move within the sport. It was up and down.”

Sunday rise or fall has grow to be a shining instance for the Dolphins.

Waddle’s 84-yard landing within the first quarter, the place he hit 21.68 yards, was Miami’s spotlight of the day, in line with ESPN’s Subsequent Gen Stats, and gave the Dolphins a 10-3 lead early on.

Hill’s 52-yard catch to the 1-yard line secured a landing for Jeff Wilson and helped the Dolphins take a 20–13 lead at halftime.

There was additionally safety. Miami allowed a 93-yard kickoff on their first possession, however a sack from Rodgers’ Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts pressured a discipline objective.

Mostert’s fumble close to a two-minute warning within the first half saved Miami from escaping with it. The Packers hit a discipline objective inside 7 for a 20–13 lead at halftime.

Tagovailoa and the Dolphins simply beat themselves within the second half.

“We’re very assured. I really feel like everyone knows we’re a greater workforce than what we have proven,” Waddle stated. “He does not present up on Sundays, clearly that is not what we would like, however we’ve got to maintain working, simply maintain taking part in.”

Sure, the loss to the Packers was disappointing. However that does not precisely damage Miami’s playoff hopes.

Simply have a look at the command discipline behind them:

The New England Patriots, who they journey subsequent week and sit 7-8, can look to win after two straight losses within the remaining moments.
The New York Jets are additionally 7-8 and in a quarterback disaster, with former No. 2 decide Zach Wilson struggling and understudy Mike White recovering from a rib damage.
The Tennessee Titans are additionally 7-8 and simply misplaced their fifth sport in a row on Saturday to the lowly Houston Texans and allowed the Jacksonville Jaguars to take over the AFC South.
And on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a 7-8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders 6-9 within the winter and have been again within the sport.

The Dolphins do not need to lose to the Patriots or the Jets of their final two video games, however they might nonetheless find yourself within the playoffs in the event that they lose another sport. However positively not two.

Dolphins nonetheless have all the things to play for proper in entrance of them. However this Christmas efficiency was definitely disappointing.

“Our younger workforce has to be taught very, very exhausting,” McDaniel stated. “So, nothing has modified in transferring ahead, aside from the truth that we actually anticipated to clear this sense, and we must wait one other week to attempt to appropriate ourselves.”