By Enwereji Amuruche
A lot of noise was made during the NFL off season when Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said that his current quarterback Tua Tagovaiola was more accurate than his former Super Bowl and regular season MVP quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs hesitance to pay the 28 year old wide receiver left the door wide open for the Dolphins to make him the highest paid receiver in the NFL. This move paired him with Jaylen Waddle, forming one of the most electrifying receiving duos in the league.
Electrifying is exactly what they have been, Hill and Waddle posted 190 and 171 yards respectively along with 11 receptions and two touchdowns each in a comeback victory against the Lamar Jackson led Baltimore Ravens. They became the first teammates to have 150 plus receiving yards, 10 plus receptions and two plus receiving touchdowns in the same game.
This win was the second out of their three wins, keeping them at the top of the AFC East. Their hot start has prompted people to ask if the Dolphins are serious contenders. They followed up that win with a 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills. After three games, Waddle and Hill sit at second and third for most receiving yards in the league.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
It’s not possible to talk about these receivers without also bringing up the man throwing the football, third year quarterback, Tua Tagovailova. Tua has thrown for 925 yards in three games, almost half of what he had the whole of last season (2,653), with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. Six of those touchdowns came in a 21 point comeback against the Ravens. Keep in mind that this was a game where Lamar Jackson was sensational, finishing with 318 yards and three touchdowns.
Four of Tua’s six touchdowns came in the fourth quarter including a game winning pass to Waddle with 14 seconds to go. Plays like that are why the Dolphins trust him as their franchise QB. Tua’s odds of winning MVP are 16 to 1, tied for fifth best in the league. With only three games played, the Dolphins‘ big three are looking scary at the top of the AFC East. If they keep up this pace, they might have a date with Vince Lombardi come Valentine’s Day weekend.