The formula for NFL playoff contenders has always been the same
By Juan Vasquez
Tua Tagovailoa was brought to Miami with massive expectations, he was sold to the fanbase and even members of the team as some sort of savior. The chosen one, the left arm of God, the next Marino, you and I heard all the nick names pre and post draft, but once it came time to play things were much different.
Tagovailoa was fairly underwhelming but so was the support around him, and for a year and a half the organization, players, and fans debated fiercely over what was the biggest issue. Was Miami failing to build a team Tua could grow under, or was Tagovailoa just not that good and holding the team back?
It’s been an endless debate, one that was argued a year ago, one that is being argued as I write this, and I’m sure it’ll be argued next season regardless on if this team finds success or not. Heck you all will probably argue about it in the comment section.
But it’s bigger than that, I think we all are missing the bigger picture when it’s right in front of us. It’s not about Tua being elite, it’s about the team being complete, and Tua being able to step up in big moments.
you might say he has crumbled in big moments so far but what is he really working with? I’m not the biggest Tua fan I would much rather have a talent like Rodgers or Watson. BUT.
But Rodgers is expensive, dramatic, spectacular in the regular season, but the post season? Yikes…
Watson is a top 5 talent, makes most teams instant contenders. But he’s not a wanted commodity in the NFL because of his legal situation, and until it’s resolved teams are taking a gigantic gamble on uncertainty and a PR nightmare.
Also the last time Watson was in the playoffs he gave up a 24-0 lead to Patrick Mahomes’ 41 unanswered points, just some food for thought.
And I know even then you say “no, we need a QB and until we get a QB we won’t win anything”
And I agree, but what if we have a QB and we just don’t know it? what if we have a QB but the Dolphins haven’t pushed all the buttons?
He doesn’t have to be spectacular, Burrow wasn’t spectacular when he beat Kansas City. The Bengals ran the ball, played great defense, and when it was time to step up Burrow made the throws. The guy who’s really built for it makes them, the guy who is not doesn’t. simple.
But the Dolphins will never find out if they don’t twist every knob first, McDaniel came here to build the run game, establish a winning culture, and maximize his players. If Tagovailoa fails to step up in big moments once McDaniel builds that foundation then it’s time to move on.
Last 10 Super Bowl winning QB’s:
- Matthew Stafford
- Tom Brady
- Patrick Mahomes
- Tom Brady
- Nick Foles
- Tom Brady
- Peyton Manning
- Tom Brady
- Russell Wilson
- Joe Flacco
If we take out Brady’s rings out for a second, and Manning’s ring when Von Miller and the defense carried him; we’re left with Flacco, Wilson, Foles, Mahomes, and Stafford.
Two Hall-of-Famers, two average Joe’s who caught fire, and Stafford who is very good but not great.
I invite you to wait and see, you don’t have to believe in Tua. But I know I’m keeping my mind open to be proven wrong.
In the end we all want a winner but like I said you need a run game, you need a QB to make clutch throws, and last but not least…