Tua and the Dolphins’ Win Streak Snapped

Former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins were defeated 33-17 by the San Francisco 49ers. Tagovailoa had 295 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the game. It wasn't his greatest day on the field early in the game, as Miami blew several opportunities that lost them a road victory.

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Tagovailoa entered the game with the best Passer Rating (115.7) and the second-best completion percentage (69.7%). Miami has one of the league's most explosive offenses, ranking fourth in yards per game (386.7), second in passing yards per game (291.9), and sixth in points per game. He faced the best defense in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, who rank #1 in rushing, points, and overall defense, allowing only 15.7 points per game. As a result, something had to give, and Miami's offense couldn't get anything going until it was too late.

Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Trent Sherfield scored Tagovailoa's two touchdown passes. His opening play of the game was a 75-yard touchdown pass to Sherfield. The offense stalled for a bit before scoring a field goal in the second quarter. The Dolphins' quarterback was intercepted for the first time in five weeks by 49ers safety Jimmie Ward. On the next drive, Tagovailoa delivered a terrible ball to Hill, who was intercepted by a 49ers defensive player.

Miami was only behind by 13 points after those turnovers, but in the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill for a gorgeous 45-yard touchdown pass that trimmed the margin to six points. San Francisco was able to get late-game stops to seal the victory and end the Dolphins' winning streak.

The Dolphins are now 8-4 on the season, first in the AFC Wild Card race, and second in the AFC East Division, trailing the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers were Tagovailoa and company's first real challenge in the coming weeks. Their final three games are against division opponents: Buffalo, New England, and the New York Jets.

Tagovailoa will need to recover from an ankle injury suffered in the fourth quarter and win some games in the coming weeks, beginning with the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday Night, if he wants to put his team in position for a strong playoff run.