Tua Tagovailoa is the epitome of a quarterback's resurgence in Week 2. The steam may still be coming from the Dolphins quarterback after he outdueled Lamar Jackson. Dolphins fans fantasized about Jackson wearing a Dolphins uniform. If the Ravens didn't extend Jackson's contract, he would be interested.
In his first season as a pro, Tagovailoa was yo-yoing between starting and serving as Ryan Fitzpatrick's understudy, and then dealing with Deshaun Watson trade rumors. Jackson was able to put on a showcase in his return to high school football. Tagovailoa was watching a local go on a rampage in the first half as the Ravens raced to a 28-7 halftime lead.
Jackson had a perfect passer rating. Tagovailoa had a rating of 60.3 after throwing up two picks. The game was over as a matter of fact. The Ravens are 53-0 when leading by 21 or more points over the past two decades.
Then Tagovailoa occurred.
In the second half, Tagovailoa showed off the downfield passing that was missing from his game for the past two years. He threw for 319 yards in the last two frames.
The statistics weren't empty calories. He passed for six touchdown in a comeback attempt. There were four in the fourth. At the end of the third quarter, Jackson became the first player in 25 years to throw and run for a touchdown in the same game.
The Dolphins scored quickly in the fourth quarter. It was a one-possession game because of Tagovailoa's deep missile. In the preseason and training camp he was lambasted for his lack of arm strength. It looked like it was where Hill needed it. Tagovailoa had his first career game with multiple deep touchdown passes that traveled 20 air yards or more.
The Dolphins went for the tie instead of playing conservative and allowing Tagovailoa to take shots into the end zone.
Tagovailoa threw his last throw of the night. He fired a laser into Jaylen Waddle's arms after stepping up into the pocket and drifting to his left. The pass can go out of bounds if it's a little higher. It was a bit lower. Tagovailoa had to hit someone.
They combined for 361 yards and four touchdown in Miami. In one game, Waddle gained 73 yards on go routes, which was 73 more than his total from last season, while Hill gained108 yards on go routes, which was the same as his total from the previous season. The days of Tagovailoa being underestimated may be over.
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