The Dolphins are riding a three-game win streak and looking to keep the momentum going this Sunday when they face the Jets at MetLife Stadium. But beyond the divisional rivalry and the playoff implications, there’s another opponent Miami has to deal with: the cold.
Forecasts are calling for kickoff temperatures around 40 degrees, and that’s worth paying attention to - especially when it comes to Tua Tagovailoa. The numbers don’t lie: the Dolphins are 0-7 in games Tua has started when the temperature is 46 degrees or colder. That’s not just a fluke stat - it’s a trend that’s starting to carry weight.
To his credit, Tua isn’t shying away from the challenge. “It’s a mentality, it’s a mindset,” he said this week.
“This is what we get paid to do - to play football regardless of if it’s raining, it’s snowing, it’s sleeting, it’s hot, it’s cold. Regardless, we’ve got to go out there and play and do our jobs.”
That’s the right mindset, and it’ll need to translate to the field. Because while the Dolphins have looked sharp lately - with the offense finding rhythm and the defense stepping up - cold-weather games have a way of leveling the playing field. Timing routes get trickier, ball security becomes a bigger concern, and execution has to be sharper when the elements start working against you.
And this won’t be the only cold-weather test on the schedule. Miami heads to Pittsburgh in Week 15 and finishes the regular season in Foxborough. If the Dolphins want to turn this win streak into a serious playoff run, they’ll need Tua to flip the script on his cold-weather narrative - and fast.
The good news? This team is playing with confidence.
The offensive line has been giving Tua time to operate, the run game has shown flashes, and the defense is doing just enough to keep pressure off the offense. But in December football, especially in the AFC East, it often comes down to who can handle the grind - and the cold - better.
Sunday’s matchup against the Jets is about more than just keeping pace in the playoff hunt. It’s a chance for Tua to prove he can lead this team through the elements and into January.