Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, showcased his exceptional skills on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. In a thrilling NFL football game against the New York Jets, Tagovailoa led his team to victory with a series of remarkable plays.

Tagovailoa's Overtime Heroics

Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime, which proved to be the game-winner. After Jason Sanders tied the game with a 42-yard field goal with 7 seconds left in regulation, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins down the field and they beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami. His ability to make quick decisions and execute under pressure was on full display.In the overtime drive, Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two touchdowns. He had just one incompletion on Miami's eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by Smith's fourth touchdown of the season. Smith didn't have a catch before catching three for 44 yards on the winning drive, demonstrating his clutch performance when it mattered most.

Rodgers' Struggles in Overtime

Aaron Rodgers, despite having a strong game with 27 of 39 for 339 yards and a touchdown pass to Davante Adams, could only watch from the sideline in overtime as the Jets never got the ball after blowing a second straight second-half lead. Rodgers and Adams connected for a 3-yard score in the third quarter, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for the Jets.Adams finished with nine catches and 109 yards, but his efforts couldn't overcome the Dolphins' late-game heroics. The Jets' struggles in overtime were a significant factor in Miami's victory.

Dolphins' Fourth-Quarter Comeback

The Dolphins trailed entering the fourth quarter, but Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill for a 4-yard touchdown and Jaylen Waddle caught the two-point conversion to tie it at 23. Hill caught 10 passes for 115 yards, and Waddle added 99 yards on nine catches. Their performances in the fourth quarter were crucial in keeping the Dolphins in the game and setting up the overtime victory.The Jets took a 20-15 lead in the third on Adams' touchdown that was set up by a 42-yard pickup by Garrett Wilson, who beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey on a double move to get open. However, the Dolphins fought back and tied the game before ultimately winning in overtime.

Defensive Struggles and Highlights

The matchup pitted the Jets' No. 2-ranked pass defense against Tagovailoa, the NFL's most accurate passer, and Miami's No. 9-ranked pass defense against the four-time MVP Rodgers who has had a subpar season. Both quarterbacks were strong and the teams played rather evenly at first, with each scoring on their first three possessions.However, the Dolphins' defense also had its moments. Isaiah Davis ran for a 17-yard score, and Carlson made field goals of 28 and 30 yards for the Jets. Wilson caught seven passes for 114 yards, but the Dolphins' defense was able to make key stops when needed.

Injuries and Their Impact

The game was not without injuries. The Jets' RT Morgan Moses injured his wrist during pregame warmups and started but was replaced during the game by Max Mitchell. WR Irvin Charles left with a knee injury. For the Dolphins, LT Terron Armstead left early after apparently tweaking the knee that sidelined him this week in practice. WR Dee Eskridge (knee) and LB Anthony Walker Jr (hamstring) were also injured. These injuries could have an impact on the teams' future performances.

Upcoming Matchups

The Jets will face the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday, while the Dolphins will take on the Houston Texans. These upcoming matchups will be interesting to watch as both teams look to bounce back from this game.The CBS Miami team, a group of experienced journalists, brings you the content on CBSMiami.com. Stay tuned for more updates on the Miami Dolphins and the NFL.