Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa outplays Justin Herbert in third meeting
The debate has raged among media and fans alike for the past three and a half years about whether the Miami Dolphins chose the right quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft when they took Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick instead of Justin Herbert. With a performance like the former had on Sunday, it's […]
The debate has raged among media and fans alike for the past three and a half years about whether the Miami Dolphins chose the right quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft when they took Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick instead of Justin Herbert. With a performance like the former had on Sunday, it's getting tougher to argue that they didn't.
Tua put on a historic showing in the Dolphins' 36-34 win over the Chargers, completing 28 of 45 attempts for 466 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Out of all first-week performances in the history of the NFL, Tua's is up there with some of the game's greatest players.
Herbert's stat line wasn't terrible. He completed 23 of 33 attempts for 233 yards with one touchdown. Of course, he didn't have to carry the game; the Chargers running game did that with 234 yards on 40 carries. They gashed the Dolphins' front time and again and controlled the pace of the game.
However, when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, both quarterbacks had the ball late with their team trailing. Down 34-30, Tua and the Dolphins had the ball at their own 25 with 3:53 remaining. On 3rd and 10, Tua avoided pressure, and launched a perfect throw on the run to Tyreek Hill for 47 yards.
The throw was everything that fans around the league have praised Herbert and panned Tua for – a big armed toss that was right in stride that seemed effortless. And, not to be outdone, Tua and Hill connected for the game winner with a throw that required the accuracy of dropping a marble into a shot glass from the top of Hard Rock Stadium.
Herbert got the ball back with the chance to drive the Chargers into range for a would-be game-winning field goal, thanks to Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders missing the extra point on the last touchdown.
But where Tua's nerves held, Herbert's failed him. On 1st and 10, Herbert was pressured up the middle by CB Justin Bethel. But rather than sidestep it, Herbert lobbed the ball in the right flat to absolutely no one. Intentional grounding was called, and the Chargers were in a massive hole with 2nd and 20, after which Vic Fangio sent his defense loose. The Dolphins racked up two sacks on the next three plays, and Miami had secured an enthralling win to open the season.
Herbert's physical traits are undeniable, as are his numbers. He's started 50 games over 3-plus years. He's thrown for north of 4300 yards in every season, including breaking the 5000-yard mark in 2021. He can throw it further than Uncle Rico and some mountains. He's got the tools of a star.
But so does Tua. When he's been on the field, he's been very good. And with Hill and Jaylen Waddle together, he finally has the caliber of weapons that Herbert has had his whole career with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. With Hill, Tua's yards per attempt average skyrocketed from 6.8 to 8.9 in 2022, in which Tua threw for 3548 yards with 25 touchdowns to 8 interceptions in 13 just 13 games. If he can stay healthy for a full season, he can reach some very lofty numbers this year.
Round one went to Tua and the Dolphins 29-21 in 2020, with the QBs performing relatively evenly. Herbert threw for 187 yards and 2 scores with an interception and Tua threw for 169 yards and two scores. Round two last year went to Herbert in the Chargers 23-17 win over Miami during the Dolphins' late season slump. Herbert completed 39-51 for 367 yards and a touchdown, while Tua went 10-28 for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Round three undoubtedly went to the Dolphins' signal-caller on Sunday. Will we see a round four between these teams in January? Perhaps, but one thing appears clear: both teams selected great quarterbacks that will help their franchises win for years to come.
Dolphins 36, Chargers 34: Instant analysis
Miami came out on top in a back-and-forth affair at SoFi Stadium
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
