The Miami Dolphins’ playoff aspirations took a significant hit in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa feels largely responsible. While his performance in the Dolphins’ 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers was solid—throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns—Tagovailoa pointed to a key decision earlier in the season as a turning point that may have contributed to Miami’s struggles.
In particular, Tagovailoa singled out his actions during a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, acknowledging that his decision to play through a risky situation put both him and the team in jeopardy. Tagovailoa, known for his leadership, expressed remorse for what he perceived as leaving his teammates “out to dry” by not protecting himself. “Nobody else will say it but me,” Tagovailoa admitted. “I feel like this has a lot to do with myself obviously putting myself in harm’s way.”
During the Sept. 12 game against Buffalo, Tagovailoa made a critical play when he scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 in the third quarter. However, instead of sliding to avoid a hit, he was tackled by Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin and sustained a concussion. This injury forced Tagovailoa to miss several weeks, returning only on Oct. 27.
While Tagovailoa was sidelined, the Dolphins’ offense struggled, managing just one win in four games without their star quarterback. As a result, Miami’s playoff prospects have dimmed. After the loss to the Packers, the teams immediately ahead of the Dolphins in the AFC standings, the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, both secured victories, widening the gap. Denver now holds the final playoff spot at 8-5, with the Colts at 6-7 and the Dolphins sitting at 5-7.
In comparison to last season, when the Dolphins were 9-3 at this point and heading to the playoffs, the current situation has been a shock to Tagovailoa. “Very surprised,” he remarked, expressing disbelief at the four-game swing. “It doesn’t show the character of who we are as a team. It doesn’t show the work that we’ve put in this offseason together.”
Looking ahead, Miami still has a tough road to the playoffs, with upcoming games against the New York Jets, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and a rematch with the Jets. Meanwhile, the Broncos and Colts are playing teams with varying degrees of playoff contention, with Denver facing difficult opponents and Indianapolis facing some of the NFL’s worst teams. Miami will need to string together a series of wins to have any chance of making the postseason.