The Miami Dolphins were able to come away with an impressive win over the Carolina Panthers, 33-10 in Week 12. This was the fourth win in a row for the Dolphins and they improve to 5-7 on the season.
There was plenty of positives that came out from the Miami side. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had one of his best games as a professional as he went 27-31 for 230 yards and one touchdown. Jaylen Waddle has been sensational his whole rookie season but might have had his best game as a professional as well, he had nine receptions for 137 yards and one touchdown. Miami's defense continues to impress as they have not given up more than 17 points in any of their last four games.
The Dolphins still have an outside shot at the playoffs and their schedule favors them coming up. They take on the New York Giants in Week 13, and then the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and then two tough games to end the season, the Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots. If the Dolphins want to make the playoffs, they're going to have to win almost every one of their next five games. With the schedule that they have, it is definitely doable if they play football the way that they can.
Let's take a look at some key takeaways from the Dolphins Week 12 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Takeaways From Dolphins Week 12 Win
3. Tua is a good NFL quarterback
This shouldn't be up for debate anymore, and anybody who says otherwise just hasn't been watching this young man play this year. He finished the game with only four incomplete passes and had 230 yards in the air for one touchdown. Despite coming off an injury and having one of the worst offensive lines in football, he has put up 1,471 yards this season for nine touchdowns and has the ninth-best QBR in football.
The Dolphins can't expect much more from the second-year quarterback. He has been great for them as a starter and he's going to continue to do so in the future.
2. Jaylen Waddle might be the best rookie receiver in the NFL
Waddle has to deal with some other guys like Ja'marr Chase, but he's looked fantastic this year for this Dolphins team. On Sunday he might have had his best game as a professional as he finished with only nine receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. For him to only have nine receptions and finished with over 130 yards just shows how good of a receiver he is after he catches the football.
Miami's first round pick has certainly not disappointed this season and if they can keep him and Tua together, the duo is going to be a problem in the NFL for many years to come.
1. The defense is one of the best in football once again
What Miami's defense did to Cam Newton on Sunday should be illegal. Newton was only able to throw for 92 yards and went 5-21 with two touchdowns.
Miami's star defensive back Xavien Howard said that the Dolphins were going to go back to their old defense four weeks ago after they played the Buffalo Bills. Since that game, Miami has not allowed more than 17 points and have allowed 10 or less in three of their last four games.
The future is extremely bright for this Miami Dolphins team. It looks like they are really starting to figure it out. Even if they don't make the playoffs this season, it's still something to build on for the future, as they see that they have more than enough talent to compete in this league.
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