Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins were under enormous pressure entering Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Opening the season with a 0-2 loss to the Colts and Patriots, the Dolphins badly needed a win. They struggled against the Bills for most of the game, but they kept them in check as well by not allowing a major lead to develop. The match was evenly balanced, with neither team pulling away completely. But Terrel Bernard‘s match-winning interception in the last quarter changed the game completely.

At that stage, the Dolphins had an opportunity to tie the score and survive. This sudden change of dynamics compelled the analysts to voice their brutal opinion on Tua. “In theory, you’re correct. On paper you’re right, but in reality you became wrong. To me it comes down to player tendencies and Living above the X’s and O’s of that play. Bernard is an aggressive LB, and the Bills play dolphins twice a year so Bernard knows out of that condensed formation what may happen. Notice how Bernard never respects vertical threat, the moment Tua brings ball up he breaks. Bernard was better than Tua on that play. On paper you’re right, but in reality, Tua made you wrong,” Emmanuel Acho posted on X.

This is where the game breakdown of the analysts comes in. The play call made by the Dolphins should have been working on paper. Tua had an alternative, theoretically. However, football is not all about playing scheme; it is about instincts, tendencies, and training. Bernard is a hyperactive linebacker who knows Miami’s offensive loopholes as they run into the Bills twice annually. He saw the shape that formed, he knew what could happen, and acted accordingly.

The point that fascinated everyone was that Bernard never even thought of a deep route. Bernard sprang forward, depending on his reading of the offense, the moment Tua lifted the ball. It was the perfect description given by the analyst: it was a better play demonstration by Bernard than by Tua. The decision Tua made was not necessarily bad on paper, but Bernard was aware of it, which made him appear wrong in reality. That is what there is between schemes on a white board and actual football under pressure.

Tua’s performance against the Bills

The Miami Dolphins were defeated 31-21 by the Buffalo Bills, and hence, they are still continuing their losing streak this season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also had his moments, but the last quarter blunder made him held accountable. He completed 22 out of his 34 passes for 146 yards and threw two touchdowns. His fourth-quarter interception, however, killed the hopes of Miami to equalize the score or even take it into overtime.

Some promise was also displayed in the Dolphins’ running game. Devon Achane led with 12 carries and 62 yards. He also contributed with seven catches for 29 yards, and came in handy on the ground and in the air. The offense was balanced at times, with rookie Ollie Gordon II contributing 9 rushes and a TD for 38 yards. Tyreek Hill was exceptional with five catches, 49 yards, and a touchdown. Jaylen Waddle complemented him with five catches of 39 yards and another touchdown. Malik Washington had three catches for 12 yards that maintained the chains when needed.

Despite such one-on-one performances, Miami was not able to resist the late surge of the Bills. Buffalo took advantage of the high turnover expenses of Tua and dominated the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins could not do the same. After three weeks, the Dolphins are at the bottom of the AFC East, with 3 losses and 0 wins. The pressure is beginning to mount on the head coach, Mike McDaniel, as the team is still trying to get its rhythm. In order to have their playoff hopes alive, they must get the momentum going as soon as possible and begin piling up the wins.

It is the following week at home when they will receive the New York Jets on September 29 at 7:15 pm ET. A good performance there would be able to get the Dolphins back on track and make them win their first game of the season.