Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins really needed a win on Sunday afternoon.
Now, after a 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans, their playoff chances are quickly dwindling.
Tagovailoa threw three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium, dropping them to 6-8 on the season. While they aren’t technically out of the AFC playoffs, it will take three straight wins and plenty of help to reach the postseason for the third straight year under coach Mike McDaniel.
The Texans took a 13-6 lead into the locker room on Sunday after three first-half field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn and then pushed the lead to 14 points on the first drive of the third quarter on CJ Stroud’s Nico Collins interception. for his second 6-yard touchdown of the day.
While Tagovailoa answered and hit Jonna Smith for a 7-yard score later in the quarter, their two-point conversion attempt failed. Tagovailoa then threw two interceptions on the next three drives to seal an eight-point lead for Houston.
Stroud went 18-of-26 for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the Texans’ win, which moved them to 9-5 on the season and kept their lead in the AFC South alive. They are currently looking at the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff race. Joe Mixon led the Texans with 33 receiving yards on five catches and had another 23 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Tagovailoa went 29 of 40 for 196 yards with a touchdown pass and three interceptions for the Dolphins. De’Von Achane had 41 yards on 12 carries and Malik Washington had 52 yards on five catches.
While a wild-card spot isn’t completely out of the question — the Buffalo Bills have already clinched the AFC East — the Dolphins must win the rest of the way. It’s not an impossible task based on their remaining schedule. They host the San Francisco 49ers next week before finishing with games against the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
But where they are currently in the standings, the NFL only gives them a 5% chance of making the postseason. In order for that to happen, they will suffer losses from several other players such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
This post will be updated with more information soon.