The Miami Dolphins’ (8-5) offense came up short in Sunday night’s 23-17 loss on the road to the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6).

The Dolphins’ passing game looked out of rhythm at times, playing a major factor in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa opening the game 3-of-17 passing.

Tua 3-17 against the chargers scout team secondary

— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) December 12, 2022

The Standard

Under head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami’s offense has been one of the NFL’s most explosive units. However, in a sobering loss to a contending AFC foe, Tagovailoa didn’t feel like he did enough to win the game.

“To have gone out this week and played the way that we played, especially on my part, that’s unacceptable,” Tagovailoa said following the loss.

“We just didn’t execute. It was very disappointing for us an offense to go out there and show what we showed. That’s not to our standard. That’s not how we play football here and that’s very disappointing.”

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Tua is right, the offense has set the bar high with a handful of impressive outings on the year. For whatever reason, Tagovailoa’s group couldn’t match the standard fans have grown so accustomed to seeing Miami play at.

On to Buffalo

The Dolphins can’t afford to let this loss linger into next week. The team heads to Buffalo  on a short week, playing its AFC East rivals on Saturday.

“This is just another opportunity for us as a team to face this and look at it head on and learn from it. There’s no other way you can go around it,” Tagovailoa said. “We’ve got to turn the page quick because we’re playing a really good team next week as well”

The Bills’ (10-3) defense presents a unique challenge as does a December road test in Buffalo, which will certainly have a playoff-like atmosphere. If Miami is to leave Buffalo victorious and climb back into the race for the division, the offense must function at a more efficient rate.

Featured image via Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports

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