Final score: Dolphins 30, Texans 15
Tua Tagovailoa was a yard shy from his sixth career 300-yard passing game, but his 22-of-36 passing with a touchdown were good enough to lead the Miami Dolphins 30-15 over the Houston Texans Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Texans debuted quarterback Kyle Allen, who was replacing second-year signal caller Davis Mills in the lineup. The former Texas A&M and Houston product completed 26-of-39 for 215 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in the loss.
Here is everything we know about Week 12.
Keys to the game
The Dolphins had a fast start and piled on the Texans with 30 unanswered points. Houston’s offense simply didn’t have the same firepower to keep up with Miami. The game was more respectable in the box score as the Texans posted 210 yards total offense with 15 total points, including two touchdowns. However, the points were generated in the second half after the Dolphins decided to scale back their operation.
The Texans lost the takeaway battle again as they had two interceptions and a lost fumble compared to the Dolphins’ lost fumble.
Miami also possessed the ball 32:27 to the Texans’ 27:33.
It was over when...
Tagovailoa eluded the Houston pass rush with 3:06 to go in the first quarter and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Durham Smythe. It wasn’t so much the fact Houston gave up a first quarter touchdown as it was how they gave it up. Tagovailoa had all day and no Texans defender could catch him, and he still found the open man. The score was enough to frustrate defensive end Jerry Hughes.
Players of the game
Tua Tagovailoa: 22/36, 299 yards, TD, 96.9 passer rating
Jaylen Waddle: 5 catches, 85 yards
Tyreek Hill: 6 catches, 85 yards
Maliek Collins: 4 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3 TFLs, 2 QB hits
Injury report
LB Christian Harris left with 4:19 to go in the first quarter with a shoulder injury and was questionable to return. The team later ruled Harris out.
With 4:20 to go in the game, running back Rex Burkhead took a shot in the back and was lying on the field. He needed help from trainers and walked off the field under his own power to the blue medical tent. No update was provided at the end of the game.
What's next?
The Texans fall to 1-9-1 on the season and go home to face the Cleveland Browns, which will feature the return of Houston’s former 2017 first-round pick.
The Dolphins take first place in the AFC East with an 8-3 record and start their three-game road trip with a bout against the San Francisco 49ers.
