Tua vs Herbert 2020 | Battle of the Rookies

Miami Gardens, FL – While Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert don’t actually play against each other on the field, that’s the duel everyone was paying attention to today. Tua vs Herbert is going to be fun to watch for a long time in this league. Not to mention, they both looked pretty fresh in those throwback uniforms.

Tua woke up today looking to stay perfect as a starter and help the Miami Dolphins win their 5th straight game. What a time to be alive for the rookie. While most of the world is having a terrible 2020, Tua’s out here being a #top5 draft pick. Also, leading a young Miami Dolphins team, with a fanbase hungry for success, into a bright future.

🤯 Nik Needham sacks @Chargers QB, Justin Herbert for a 13-yard loss. Then LA’s punt was blocked and recovered at the 1-yard line!@AhmedSalvon rushed in for the 1-yard TD!
The @MiamiDolphins lead 7-0 early in the 1st.#FinsUp #MIAvsLAC pic.twitter.com/ybTJiAFlfm

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) November 15, 2020

Throw The ‘D’

While Tua may be the reason fans are paying attention, the Fins’ defense is the reason their attention stays locked in. Xavien Howard recorded his 5th interception this season, which tied him with New England’s J.C. Jackson for the NFL lead. Nik Needham and Emmanuel Ogbah both recorded sacks. Ogbah is #4 in sacks in the NFL. No other team has players in the #top5 in both categories.

While the defense and special teams didn’t score any points today, they might as well have. During the Chargers’ 1st drive, Needham sacked Herbert forcing LA to punt. During the punt, Andrew Van Ginkel came through with the block, Bam Adebayo style. Miami recovered at the 1-yard line, setting up Salvon Ahmed‘s 1st touchdown.

Tua Time!

It wasn’t all defense though! Miami has struggled running the ball this season. This is something that Miami fans were frustrated with after the signing of both Jordan Howard and Matt Breida, who were both scratched from today’s lineup. However, in their absence, Salvon managed to notch 85 yards and a goalline touchdown, averaging four yards per carry.

In Preston Williams’ absence, Tua was able to spread the wealth, but Jakeem Grant stepped up, leading the team in reception and receiving yards. He also scored Miami’s 2nd touchdown right before the end of the 1st quarter, allowing Miami to jump ahead to an early 14-0 lead. Jason Sanders once again stepped up, increasing his streak to 22-straight field goals made, but he wasn’t able to convert #23, a 47-yard attempt.

Full Victory

The Miami Dolphins once again dominated their opponent in all three phases of the game. Let’s not forget that the team was without star Defensive Tackle, Christian Wilkins, and stud Wide Receiver, Preston Williams. That being said, Miami defeated LA 29-21, giving Hawaiian Jesus the nod in the 1st edition of Tua vs Herbert.

That feeling when you win your 5th straight game and the @BuffaloBills lose, so you’re only 1/2 a game out of first place in the division!#Finsup #LACvsMIA pic.twitter.com/G70BqUA5lS

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) November 16, 2020

It only took half a season of tanking for coach Brian Flores to turn this team around. After starting the 2019 season 0-7, Miami is now 11-7. This season, they’ve started at 6-3, winning their last five, including all of Tua’s starts. After Buffalo’s loss today at the hands of the Cardinals with a last-second hail mary, Miami is now only half a game out of 1st place! What a time to be alive…

Next up, Miami travels to Denver to face the 3-6 Denver Broncos.

Photo Credit | Danis Sosa