MIAMI GARDENS — Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is not looking at it as the defense "bailing out" his quarterback.
But make no mistake. The reason the Miami Dolphins are not answering another batch of difficult questions and lamenting a loss to one of the dregs of the NFL had very little, in fact, nothing, to do with the performance of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd a lot do with Fitzpatrick and the defense, along with running back De'Von Achane.
More Dolphins: Dolphins vs Saints game recap, Miami holds off New Orleans 21-17
"Honestly, we don't even see it as bailing him out," Fitzpatrick said. "It's just doing our job. No matter how many times we get called out there, we have to go out there and do our job and get the ball back to them. Because there's games where he, quote-unquote, bailed us out where we were having down games, and they put up 30 points or 35 points.
"We've got to continue to have each other's backs. The ultimate goal is to be playing complementary football, but if that doesn't happen, we've still got to go out there and execute at a high level."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTagovailoa was under duress for most of the Dolphins' 21-17 victory over the two-win Saints. When he was not taking one of his four sacks — the second most of the season — he was taking off, which he did four times for 4 yards.
Tagovailoa was not sharp. His 52.2 completion percentage (12 of 23) matches his low for the season, and his 157 yards is the seventh time this season he has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in a game.
And he was not efficient. His 55.9 rating was his fourth lowest of the season. He threw one interception in the end zone, his 14th of the season. And had a few others that could have been picked, including one that appeared to be in the second half but review could not conclusively overturn the incompletion.
"It starts with me, starts with my performance, how I distribute the ball," Tua said. "When I'm able to distribute the ball well, the operation (goes well). The run game helps with that."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMike McDaniel: 'I wouldn't say Tua played his best game'
Nov 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands in the pocket against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn ImagesCoach Mike McDaniel credited the Saints defense for being "pass committed," which helped the Dolphins continue with their recent emphasis in the running game, led by Achane's 134 yards, which put him over 1,000 for the season.
"He's so versatile," Tua said about Achane, the Dolphins clear MVP so far this season.
"You can align him in the slot. You can align him in a receiver stance, in a running back position, you name it. Just the diversity that he gives our offense is what I think makes him very special, outside of the ability to run and catch."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut McDaniel also knows that as Achane becomes the focus, the final five opponents will be game planning against the improved running game.
"Ultimately in the pass game there were some plays that weren't made," McDaniel said. "I wouldn't say Tua played his best game. I just know it was a little herky-jerky in the pass game."
McDaniel thought Tua's interception, coming one play after Fitzpatrick's sack of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough resulted in a fumble recovered by Zach Sieler, should have been thrown to tight end Darren Waller instead of forced to Jaylen Waddle in the end zone.
And the second half was a massive struggle for the offense with 141 total yards, 81 through the air, in the final 30 minutes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMike McDaniel: 'Some plays that we'd like to have back'
Nov 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks for running room against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images"There were some plays made in the second half by Tua, but there were some plays that we'd like to have back," McDaniel said. "That's a collective for sure.
"At some point, we're going to have to execute in the near future because in the NFL, if you have success in a phase or success in running the ball, people will overcommit and you'll eventually need to pass to win. I think that will be a big thing that we'll be working on this coming week."
For Tua, the struggle continues. The player who has at different times in his career led the league in passer rating (2022), passing yards (2023) and passing completion (2024), is far from that guy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe currently is 23rd in the NFL in passer rating, 16th in passing touchdowns and first in interceptions.
"The main objective for what I'm supposed to do as I go out there to lead that offense (is) score one more point or however many more points than the opposing team," Tua said. "So regardless of what that looks like, whether the game is asking me to throw for a set amount of yards or however many touchdowns, I'm just more fascinated with the wins. So I'm glad we got a team win."
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa's inconsistency continues in Dolphins' win over Saints
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