Miami Dolphins backup QBs struggle in loss to the Patriots
Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson both looked like backup quarterbacks, and they showed why Tua Tagovailoa is worthy of being a starter in this league.
Neither one of them was super accurate like Tua, neither one of them threw the ball with the same anticipation that Tua does, and neither one of them pushed it down the field as Tua does.
Both interceptions were bad. They did not throw into many super tight windows, and they only averaged 6.6 yards per attempt compared to Tua’s 8.9 yards per attempt.
If there was any doubt, which I do not think there was, Tua Tagovailoa is the best quarterback on this roster.
If Tua plays I think it is safe to say that the Miami Dolphins win that game, but he did not.
The Dolphins were in complete control of the game up 14-10 with a little under 3 minutes to go in the third quarter, then Bridgwater threw the ball late to Trent Sherfield.
39 yards later the Dolphins were down 16-14 and Bridgewater went out of the game.
Thompson came in and on his fifth pass attempt, he threw it a little behind Tyreek Hill. The ball was bobbled and intercepted.
The Dolphins punted their following possession, then the Patriots scored to go up 23-14. A two-possession game felt insurmountable with Thompson at quarterback.
I do not want to be too harsh, but I have to be honest. I would grade the Dolphins’ quarterback play as a C-. It could easily have been worse, but there were a couple of things the Dolphins’ supporting cast could have done to make it easier.
The run game was not great. They only averaged three yards a carry. I do like how they committed to the run until late when they had to throw it, but it was not consistent enough to win with a backup quarterback.
Jason Sanders missed another long field goal.
That was a huge miss. Imagine if it is 17-16 or 23-17 instead?
The entire completion of the game changes dramatically with those three points.
It was a struggle to get Hill and Jaylen Waddle the ball. Anytime Raheem Mostert leads the Dolphins in receptions and receiving yards that is a problem.
Hill and Waddle combined for seven receptions for 107 yards. That is not enough. Mike McDaniels and this coaching staff is going to have to be better at getting them the ball if Tua is out this week.
It is hard to win games with a backup quarterback if you only get your two best offensive players seven chances to make something happen.
There is a possibility that Bridgewater or Thompson could be under center this week against the New York Jets. That is a team with a good defense. It will be imperative that Mike McDaniels and the rest of this staff put together a plan that gets Hill and Waddle the ball.
They are the engine that makes this offense go, even when Tua is in the game. Seven touches between the two of them is not enough. It will not be enough this upcoming week either. They need at least 20 touches combined.
There are two guys who can turn any play into six points. The Dolphins have to get them the ball if they want to win and potentially make the playoffs. Plain and simple.