CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tua Tagovailoa looked sharp in his best outing of the season, but the Miami Dolphins couldn’t hold on.
Tagovailoa didn’t come away with the win in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers, but he delivered a strong performance, completing 27 of 36 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
It was his first game of 2025 without Tyreek Hill, and six different receivers caught at least two passes.
Bryce Young threw a go-ahead 4-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Mitchell Evans with 1:59 remaining, and running back Rico Dowdle carried the load for Carolina with 206 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to hand Miami its fourth loss of the season.
Tagovailoa appeared poised to lead a comeback, connecting with former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle for a 46-yard touchdown that gave the Dolphins a 24-20 lead with 4:42 left.
Waddle had his best performance of the young season, stepping up as Miami’s No. 1 receiver in Hill’s absence.
He finished with six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Darren Waller added five receptions for 78 yards and a score — his third touchdown in two games.
But Miami’s defense couldn’t contain Dowdle, who gashed the Dolphins for chunk gains all afternoon. After allowing 206 rushing yards to one player, Miami now ranks last in the NFL in run defense heading into Week 6.
Tagovailoa was sacked by Panthers defensive end Patrick Jones II on a crucial third down late in the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins were forced to punt.
Despite the loss, Tagovailoa’s efficiency and decision-making were bright spots for a struggling Miami team searching for answers.
“There’s just so many thing that goes into it and we’ve got to figure this out now,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “This is just not a good feeling.”
The Dolphins (1-4) will try to regroup when they host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) next Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. The Panthers (2-3) return home to face the Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1).
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