The Miami Dolphins faced a significant setback on November 30, 2023, suffering a decisive defeat against the Baltimore Ravens, who secured a 28-6 victory. The loss marked a troubling continuation of the Dolphins’ struggles this season, particularly for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose pregame speech foreshadowed a lack of cohesion on the field.
Entering the game with a record of 2-6, the Dolphins had recently experienced a morale boost following a convincing 34-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. This win had momentarily overshadowed a previous humiliating 31-6 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, during which Tagovailoa threw three interceptions. Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the need for improvement, particularly regarding Tagovailoa’s turnover issues, as the team’s performance began to raise questions about the viability of McDaniel’s leadership.
As the Dolphins prepared for the Ravens, Tagovailoa attempted to rally his teammates in the pregame tunnel. His words, “We got 60 minutes tonight. Four hours of pain,” proved to be an unfortunate omen. The Dolphins managed just one touchdown while the Ravens, led by returning superstar Lamar Jackson, scored four times.
Tagovailoa’s struggles continued throughout the game, resulting in his 11th interception of the 2023 campaign. Additional turnovers from teammates Malik Washington and Tahj Washington compounded the team’s difficulties. After the game, Tagovailoa acknowledged these mistakes, stating, “They know they got to hold onto the ball just like any of the guys that are ball carriers, even myself. I know I got to protect the ball.”
Despite his acknowledgment of the team’s issues, Tagovailoa also sought to deflect some blame. He highlighted the disruptive noise from Ravens fans at Hard Rock Stadium, suggesting it affected his cadence. “The Ravens fans may have muffled my cadence and, you know, the crowd noise,” he explained, noting that adjustments were made on the sideline.
Offensively, the Dolphins struggled to establish any rhythm. Tagovailoa commented on the team’s lack of flow, saying, “I think for us offensively just started with the little things. We’re off a little bit here on this play, we’re off a little bit there on that play.” He expressed frustration with penalties that disrupted their progress, taking responsibility for the overall performance. “All starts with me, and I got to continue to get our guys better in that aspect.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Tagovailoa emphasized a need to remain positive. “This isn’t a game where we’re discouraged. It’s one of those games where you wish you could have done more,” he said, hinting at a commitment to improving as the season progresses.
As the Dolphins look ahead, the focus will likely shift to how they can regroup and address their ongoing challenges. The defeat against the Ravens serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to turn their season around.
