The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers gave us a late Sunday afternoon thriller and lived as much as the hype of being the recreation of the week that most individuals didn’t have obtainable to look at.
Miami completed off the Chargers, 36-34, as their protection stepped as much as lock down a victory on the highway. However Tua Tagovailoa was the story of this recreation. He outshined Justin Herbert on this present day and proved to many (like me) that the Dolphins had been justified in choosing him within the 2020 NFL Draft.
Tua and Tyreek Hill staked their declare in Week 1 for the most effective quarterback-wide receiver duo within the league. They picked up proper the place they left off final season earlier than Tagovailoa’s accidents — 466-yard day by means of the air for Tua with three landing passes, two of which had been to Hill, who additionally had 215 yards receiving.
It’s solely the primary recreation of the 12 months, however many analysts will seemingly rank Tagovailoa among the many league’s prime QBs transferring ahead. This recreation was a back-and-forth battle the place the groups traded the lead a number of instances. I referred to as this the sport everybody ought to watch throughout Week 1, though it was buried on the late afternoon slate. Most people will solely see highlights, however they are going to be captivated as soon as they do.
Whereas the groups battled carefully all through the sport, Herbert had a mediocre general efficiency. It didn’t resemble that of a $262 million man. He accomplished 69 % of his passes however had only one TD move and 228 yards. Tagovailoa bought the most effective of their head-to-head battle and gained the sport. Herbert and the Chargers gained final 12 months’s matchup, 23-17. After right this moment’s shootout, I’d like to see these groups once more in a wildcard or divisional spherical recreation within the postseason.
Anytime these groups get along with Tua and Herbert headlining, it will likely be must-see TV. The one factor higher can be them in the identical division, so we bought two heavyweight bouts yearly from them. It’s seemingly Tagovailoa vs. Herbert stole the present in Week 1. The NFL must put these guys in prime time for his or her subsequent head-to-head matchup.
That 2020 draft class is starting to appear like top-of-the-line we’ve seen in a while. Tua, Herbert, Joe Burrow (though he struggled in Week 1), and Jalen Hurts (as a second-round choose) have all made names for themselves within the NFL. Burrow, Hurts, and Herbert made Professional Bowls of their first three years. Burrow and Hurts additionally led their groups to Tremendous Bowl appearances in back-to-back seasons. If the Dolphins preserve Tagovailoa upright, it appears like he’s nicely on his method.
Tom Brady may be gone, and Aaron Rodgers is over the hill, however the league continues to be thriving behind all these younger QBs making a mark — in some circumstances instantly.
