Tua Tagovailoa's four turnovers sink Dolphins in 20-12 loss to Texans
The Texans allowed only 224 yards, forced four Tua Tagovailoa turnovers that led to 10 points and sacked the Dolphins quarterback three times.
The Texans allowed only 224 yards, forced four Tua Tagovailoa turnovers that led to 10 points and sacked the Dolphins quarterback three times. The Texans also had a 35-yard run on a fake punt as their special teams and defense bailed out the offense.
Houston beat Miami 20-12, putting the Texans (9-5) in position to clinch the AFC South with a loss by the Colts against the Broncos. The Dolphins fell to 6-8, putting a huge dent in their playoff hopes.
Two of Tagovailoa's three interceptions came with the Dolphins at the Houston 39 and the Houston 20, and his fumble was at his own 47. The Texans scored 10 points off Tagovailoa's miscues. Tagovailoa also threw an interception that Derek Stingley stole from Tyreek Hill on a bomb with 1:44 left and the Dolphins down to their last chance.
Tagovailoa had gone 184 passes without throwing a pick before Sunday.
Stingley had two of the picks and helped hold Tyreek Hill to two catches for 36 yards.
Tagovailoa went 24-of-40 for 196 yards with a touchdown and three picks.
The Texans had only 181 yards, and their leading rusher was Dare Ogunbowale, who went 35 yards to the Miami 9 on a fake punt. Nico Collins scored both of the Texans' touchdowns but had only 17 yards on four catches.
C.J. Stroud was 18-of-26 for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins gave themselves a chance even after watching wide receiver Grant DuBose leave on a stretcher with a serious injury in the third quarter. DuBose is in stable condition at a local Houston hospital.