Tua Tagovailoa returns for the Miami Dolphins, but not triumphantly

The moment Miami Dolphins fans most appreciated that Tua Tagovailoa was finally back was a 13-yard scramble in the third quarter that the quarterback finished with a baseball slide to loud cheers from the crowd.

“I thought it was super cool,” Tagovailoa said. “Super cool. I would imagine everyone would think that was great.”

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins walks onto the field before playing against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Snapshot of Tua's return amid defeat

This was a snapshot of Tagovailoa's return from a concussion that sidelined him since his injury on September 12th.

That was the moment that made it clear to everyone that the Dolphins' season could be back on track.

But that moment was fleeting. And ultimately deceiving.

That's because the Dolphins, who have been so terrible over the last four games without Tagovailoa in the lineup, still can't figure out how to win, even with their starting quarterback.

And this 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a last-second field goal shows that their season is in the balance – with or without Tagovailoa.

“Tough loss,” Tagovailoa admitted. “Tough defeat against a really good team that not only diminishes my performance, but also the performance of other players individually.”

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins walks onto the field before playing against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Silver lining for dolphins

The good news for the Dolphins is that they scored a season-high 27 points despite terrible storms.

This was undeniably the best game of the season for the Dolphins' offense – and that included a couple of fumbles that were recovered and a bad snap that resulted in a safety.

Tagovailoa delivered a solid performance. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 234 yards with 1 touchdown.

“I would say I felt like myself,” Tagovailoa said.

But amidst these small positives, there are also glaring problems.

The Dolphins' defense, still hobbled by injuries it has dealt with virtually all season, couldn't answer the call in the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals turned the Kyler Murray-Marvin Harrison Jr. connection into something akin to Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison Sr.

Harrison caught 6 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins had no answers for the rookie.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Dolphins defensive folds

Miami's defense delivered a game-winning 13-play drive that took up the final 5:01 of the game and culminated in a game-winning 34-yard field goal.

“Helpless,” Tagovailoa said of the feeling on the sideline as he and his teammates watched Arizona’s winning drive. “We didn’t have another opportunity to go out and hopefully give our team a chance by putting points on the board. Just helpless.”

But putting everything on defense would be wrong.

Because the Dolphins' offense with Tagovailoa actually had the opportunity to decide the game earlier. And they failed.

With a lead of 27:25, the Dolphins took over the offense with 8:47 minutes left. And despite converting two first downs, the drive stalled when a Tagovailoa third-down pass to De'Von Achane failed harmlessly incomplete.

The Dolphins needed to score at least one field goal on this drive to force the Cardinals to score a touchdown. A touchdown of their own would have sealed the victory for Miami.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 25: Tua Tagovailoa #1 and Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins in action during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Tua and Offensive fail to achieve victory

Miami got neither – even with Tagovailoa at quarterback.

“I think there are a lot of things we can get better at,” Tagovailoa said. “As a unit, every time we go out there we try to finish the drive with points. I think we’re too talented not to finish the drive with points.”

And yet, that's exactly what happened on perhaps Miami's most important possession of the game.

The dolphins are fading now. They lost games that Tagovailoa missed. And lost games he played.

Miami is in third place in the AFC East with a 2-5 record and their next game is against the division-leading Buffalo Bills.

So, yes, dark.

“It's always time, brother, it's always time,” Tagovailoa said when asked if there was still time to recover from the current problems. “Seventeen games. It's a long time. Lots of games.”

“So whether we are counted out or not doesn’t matter. We will continue to play football. A lot of people here know that, I don't know how many years ago, we started 1-7. We didn't have half the people we have.

“And no disrespect to my other teammates, but I’m talking about the talent we have here. Many years ago we didn't have half as much talent. To give credit to this group, we won the next eight games. That’s me.” I’m not saying we’re going to do that or anything.

“But it is possible. Everything is possible.”