Tua Tagovailoa perfect in lone drive as Dolphins beat the Commanders 13-6

The Miami Dolphins improved to 2-0 after Saturday Night’s 13-6 win over the Washington Commanders.

The Miami Dolphins entered the game without several key players on the offensive side of the ball — including both starting wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — but that didn’t stop quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from orchestrating a flawless drive that would give the Dolphins an early 7-0 lead.

After a Riley Patterson missed field goal, Tagovailoa trotted out for the first time — and potentially, the last time — this 2024 NFL preseason and showed the world his strides in year three of Mike McDaniel’s offense. He looked cool, calm, and collected — despite facing his first live-action and missing his top wide receivers. Several pieces of the offensive line were out as well. And yet, the Dolphins continued exactly where they left off.

Tua would go 5 for 5 on his only drive, finding a trio of River Cracraft, Jonnu Smith, and Julian Hill. His pass to Hill, in particular, was a nice side-armed ball that he fit around the defender. Both Hill and Smith looked great with the ball in their hands. However, it was the perfectly placed ball on 4th and 2 from Tagovialoa to River Cracraft that made my jaw drop.

The pass and the opening drive were perfect despite Miami's continued issues converting in short-yardage situations.

Once Tagovailoa left the game, Miami’s quarterback issues became apparent. Skylar Thompson, the third-year quarterback—whom the Dolphins have continued to develop—looked bad, completing a pedestrian 8 of 15 for 61 yards. He led a scoring drive set up with a 28-yard completion to De’Von Achane — who lined up out wide! Could this be a hint of how he will be utilized more this offseason? I certainly hope so.

Overall, the Dolphins played well in the first half, especially on offense. I wish the offensive line did not have to rely on Liam Eichenberg as the starting center, causing the entire line to suffer. His natural home is at guard. #SaveUsAaronBrewer

Early in the second half, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and running back Chris Brooks made their presence felt, with Brooks breaking off a YUGE 59-yard run on third and one. This would eventually lead to a 33-yard field goal by Jason Sanders, giving the Dolphins a 10-3 lead.

Ezukanma would finish the game with a team-high five receptions on seven targets. IMO, he impressed and with the draft capital Miami already has invested in him, it could be hard to part ways with the 6’2 WR. The same can be said about Chris Brooks (except the drafted part), who would have the inside track on veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. if I were in charge.

As for QB2, Mike White looked like the better quarterback, but I don’t know if you can expect either to give you servicable play if anything were to, god forbid, happen to Tagovailoa.

Defensively, the Dolphins struggled at times with Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who completed 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards. He looked poised and decisive, especially on third down. That said, I felt like the Dolphins’ defense matched up well with what Washington was bringing to the table.

Cam Smith looked good throughout the night, covering Terry McLaurin, one of the league’s top wide receivers. Is this the confidence builder he needs to bring it all together? Storm Duck and Siran Neal also made plays, as did pre-szn gawd Patrick McMorris, which remains a possibility for the 53-man roster.

On the defensive line, rookies Mo Kamara and Chop Robinson got involved. Neville Gallimore, Isaiah Mack, and second-year defensive tackle Brandon Pili made a few plays in the backfield and showed promise on the interior defensive line.

And you know I can’t go without talking about Channing Tindall. He finished the game with four tackles and a .5 sack, adding to his solid preseason. Rounding out the defense at safety was the strong play from Marcus Maye, Mark Perry, and Jordan Colbert.

Best of all, we continue to see glimpses of what could make Anthony Weaver’s defense so scary. The team plays fast, but I like the way they continue to disguise their looks and different coverages. We even see it in the way they bring heat to critical situations. It seems thoughtful and like everything is done purposefully throughout the game.