Dolphins 17, Patriots 16
TUA TAGOVAILOA: (In progress.) But to an extent we didn't take advantage of a lot of the opportunities the defense gave us with a lot of the turnovers, but I thought overall there is a lot things we need to clean up offensively.
I think the defense gave us a lot of opportunities and we just got to make use of those.
Q. Curious how many of the plays on the opening drives were scripted?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, I wouldn't say our opening plays are scripted, but it's more so we kind of know and understand how the game is gonna be as far as our personnel being in there and what to expect as far as their defensive personnel being out there, and you can kind of gauge what plays are about to come into the headset.
Q. Was that the same to start the second half? Those are your two best -- your two TD drives.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, you know, it's all about making adjustments, and that's what we tried to do the second half. Obviously we got to execute a lot better, and for me, taking care of the ball. That's big, so...
Q. Were you trying to throw the ball away on that?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I was trying to throw the ball away. Unfortunately that's not what happened.
Q. What was it like going against Mac?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, I was happy for him. You know, it being his first real game with a crowd like this, I mean, I thought he made some really good throws. And their execution on third down I think was really good, and Mac looks like he fits perfectly into their offense and system.
I was happy for him.
Q. (No microphone.)
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I mean, I think that's winning football on the defensive side. Like I said, I think we got to do a better job at making use of the opportunities that we get offensively.
You know, and I would say kind of giving the defense some rest as well. You know, by either running the ball, getting RPOs, first downs, and kind of having long drives so they can get their rest. And to that point, playing complementary football.
Q. Tua, how did Jalen Waddle affect today's game?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I don't think it was just Jalen. It was lots of the guys out there on the field. DeVante Parker. And a lot of the things that you guys probably don't look at, you know, in Jalen's first touchdown you got Durham and Mike on one side and they're picking pretty much for Jalen.
That play wasn't possible without those guys. I think the line did pretty good, too, today, up front. Obviously there is some things we got to clean up, and that's what tomorrow is for us.
Q. The luxury of having Xavian Howard; when things aren't going well offensively he steps up and helps you out.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, and I don't think it's just X, but having X is definitely really fun because you know something or anything can happen.
But it's really everyone on the defense, you know, that helps with the turnovers. And that was just X. That was just X, so, yeah.
And I think we have about two more minutes because J Mac is here. Okay, less than that. 30 seconds, guys.
Q. Hunter Long is from up in this area. He comes back home, gets a win with you guys. What's your impression of him so far, and special moment to come home and get a win?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Sorry, I don't think I understand what you said in the beginning.
Q. Hunter Long.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Oh, Hunter Long. Sorry.
Yeah, no I think Hunter has done a great job. Although he hasn't been getting catches, he does what he's asked. That's what you expect and that's what you want, especially for a rookie, someone that's just willing to go out there and do whatever he needs to do for the team.
Q. (No microphone.) What's extra special about kind of doing it for these guys?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think these guys will be the first to tell that you it's not about them. You know, it's just about the collective work and effort that we've all put in as a team going against each other.
You know, and our defense kind of emulates the Patriots' defense, so we have the luxury of going against these guys, and them making it hard for us to move the ball, to run the ball, whatever it may be.
But it is special for them because they've obviously come from this organization, so it's a good win.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports