NFL analyst backs 3-6 Tua Tagovailoa in “desperate” playoff push
Tua Tagovailoa was handed a 2-5 team in exchange for working his way back to good health. Some might have decided to call it quits at that point. However, a decisive primetime victory over the Los Angeles Rams indicates that Tagovailoa is doing anything but that.
The win has even put one NFL analyst tentatively in their corner. Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," Mike Florio called the team "very much alive" for the final playoff spot (8:18):
"So for the seventh seed, you've got the Dolphins now at 3-6, you've got the Bengals at 4-6, you've got the Colts at 4-6 and the Broncos at 5-5.
"So the Dolphins are very much alive for now. For now, they've got to stack some wins. ... But they're very much alive in that chase for the seventh seed. ... Sometimes the team that's more desperate finds a way."
Of course, Tua Tagovailoa's Dolphins still have several teams in front of them. However, unlike those teams, Miami now has one huge new variable with Tagovailoa back in the fold. The team can't afford any mistakes for about the next month to give themselves a realistic shot at the postseason, but a win streak could give them a shot at creating double-takes around the country in December.
Tua Tagovailoa's upcoming schedule lines up with Dolphins for short-term surge
The Miami Dolphins sit at the dreaded 3-6 mark through nine games. However, teams have arisen from this record before. In 2023, the Los Angeles Rams managed to go 10-7 and make the postseason after a 3-6 start.
The Dolphins schedule appears to be lining up for an opportunity to pull off a similar feat.
In their next three games, Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill face three teams currently under .500. By Dec. 9, the Dolphins will have played the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders, 3-7 New England Patriots and the 3-7 New York Jets.
They also face the Green Bay Packers during that stretch, but if they defeat just the sub-.500 teams, the Dolphins would have a 6-7 record. That momentum could carry them into a suddenly exciting finish to the regular season if they can pull it off.
The deck appears to have been stacked against the Dolphins for the next month, but will Tua Tagovialoa pull out his own cards?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.