USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | Credit-Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | Credit-Reuters
Brian Flores-led Miami Dolphins missed out on the AFC East title this season. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills made their way to their first divisional title since 1996. However, they were determined to bag a win in Week 16 as they went up against Jon Gruden’s Las Vegas Raiders. The Dolphins made their way to a narrow one-point win over the Raiders last night. They are second in the AFC East with a 10-5 record after beating their opponents last night. But things could have gone differently had Dolphins backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick not stepped in to replace Tua Tagovailoa in the middle.
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Tua Tagovailoa will keep his place in the Miami Dolphins starting lineup
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Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores said Tua Tagovailoa will continue to be the starting QB in week 17 against Buffalo.
“If we’ve got to go to our relief pitcher in the ninth, that’s what we’ll do,” Flores said. “Fitz (Ryan Fitzpatrick), he’s always ready to go. “
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2020
The Dolphins are now on a two-game winning streak at the moment. They were lucky to walk away with a win on the weekend despite the Raiders’ best efforts to keep them out of the Endzone. But for Dolphins rookie, Tua Tagovailoa, it was a game to forget.
The former University of Alabama product was struggling in the middle at the Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. Tagovailoa went 17 of 22, throwing for 94 yards with one passing touchdown to his name. But he was replaced by veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick who put in a stunning display to guide the visitors to a morale-boosting win.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 182 yards in the 4th quarter tonight, tied for his most ever yards in a 4th quarter (2013 Week 15 vs Cardinals).
Fitz was 5-6 for 154 yards and 1 TD when throwing for more than 5 yards downfield (all in the 4th). Tua Tagovailoa was 3-7 for 35 yards. pic.twitter.com/ufUbahpApi
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 27, 2020
The 38-year old quarterback came in when the Dolphins were trailing 16-13. He went on to complete 9 of his 13 attempted passes. He threw for 182 yards and also registered a passing touchdown to hand his team a win.
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But despite his heroics in Week 16, Dolphins HC Brian Flores maintained that Tua is the undisputed first-choice starter in Miami. The 2020 fifth-overall draft pick will keep his position in the starting line-up when the Dolphins play AFC East rivals Buffalo Bills next weekend.
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