Omar Kelly: Tua Tagovailoa delivers more proof he isn’t ‘HIM’

MIAMI Yet another clutch game choke job! Thats the only accurate way to summarize what the Miami Dolphins did in Sundays critical must-win game against the Houston Texans, which turned into a 20-12 loss when the offense kept spitting up on itself in scoring territory.

Thats the best way to describe three interceptions and one fumble lost by Tua Tagovailoa at NRG Stadium, in a contest that will likely eliminate the Dolphins from playoff contention now that a 10-win season isnt possible.

Like most of this season and most of his NFL career when the Dolphins needed Tagovailoa to put on a cape and play superhero in a game where the rushing attack was again limp (2.7 yards per carry on 19 attempts), and the offensive line featured two backups at offensive tackle who have now collectively started eight games, the fifth-year quarterbacks performance was lackluster.

And thats being nice.

The former University of Alabama standout was far from the version of HIM that Tagovailoa was just bragging about this weekend when presented his high school jersey by teammate Anthony Walker Jr.

as a Christmas gift.

I had the opportunity to drive our offense to potentially tie the game up and thats not what I did, Tagovailoa said, referring to the offenses final drive, which ended when a deep pass thrown to Tyreek Hill was intercepted by Derek Stingley Jr.

after one of the leagues top young cornerbacks snatched the ball from Hills hands and brought it down for a turnover in the games final two minutes.

Thats not how you win games in this league, said Tagovailoa, who finished the game completing 29 of 40 passes for 196 yards and three interceptions.

Im very disappointed with how I played today and how I conducted myself on the field with our guys, our team.

I just need to be better in all aspects.

Tagovailoa was constantly harassed, primarily because of the poor performance of the offensive line (three sacks allowed), whose ineptness had typically been masked by Tagovailoas quick trigger.

But not on this day, not in this game against the NFLs second-best pass rushing defense, especially with rookie Patrick Paul at left tackle replacing Terron Armstead (knee) and Jackson Carman, a third-year player elevated up Miamis practice squad a month ago, at right tackle as Kendall Lamms replacement because of a back injury the 10-year veteran is nursing.

Miamis dink-and-dunk offense failed to deliver on critical downs, and in scoring territory.

Tagovailoa threw two of his interceptions on third-down throws in scoring territory on passes intended for Hill.

We just didnt execute as an offense.

We had some tremendous drives.

We just werent able to finish them, Hill said.

We just werent there today and you can see it.

It starts with all of us.

Not just one, Those turnovers are on all of us.

Ball placement.

Not being in the right spot.

All of us.

No need to point the finger at nobody.

We point the finger at ourselves and get better from it.

The 60 passer rating was Tagovailoas second worst of the season, trailing only his 56.7 passer rating in Miamis Week 2 loss to Buffalo, which happens to be the game Tagovailoa suffered the concussion that sidelined him for a month.

Tagovailoa has only had four games with a worse passer rating.

The problem is, this has become the common theme for the Dolphins in every big game, every contest where the seasons on the line, or Miami has an opportunity to silence one of the teams unfavorable narratives.

During the Mike McDaniel era, which coincides with Tagovailoas best seasons, the Dolphins have a 3-17 record against playoff teams.

This season Miamis 0-5 against against teams in the playoff equation, and that record wont change unless the Los Angeles Rams, which Miami beat on the road last month, slide into the final NFC wild-card spot.

At some point we have to stop making excuses for Tagovailoa.

But that conversation should start when this franchise puts a better team around him, one with a competent run game, and a deeper, healthier offensive line, which doesnt force him to consistently make the best out of a bad situation.

Be a man, own your mistakes, get better from it, itll make the team better, Hill said when asked about the final stretch of games.

No need to sit in self-pity and feel sorry for yourself because thats not what real men do.

Real men own their mistakes, get better from it and move on from it.

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