Tua Tagovailoa joins John Elway as only QB to win first four starts against Bill Belichick

The pressure is on for Tua Tagovailoa to have a big season for the Miami Dolphins, and things got off to a strong start on Sunday with a 20-7 win over the New England Patriots. 

A strong performance from Tagovailoa was at the center of it as the third-year quarterback went 23-for-33, for 270 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

It not only helped the Dolphins get off to a 1-0 start in the AFC East, it also extended their winning streak over the Patriots to four consecutive games. Tagovailoa has been the quarterback for each of those games for Miami, meaning he has won his first four games against Bill Belichick. The only other quarterback to get the best of Belichick in their first four starts was Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

"That's not an individual accolade or I don't even look at it as close to being that," Tagovailoa said to the media after Sunday's game. "It's a team sport. This team has won four straight against New England. However way you see it, however way you put it, that's what it is."

No matter who you want to give the bulk of the credit to, the Dolphins are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over 20 years, added Tyreek Hill to an offense that already has Jalen Waddle at wide receiver and has a ferocious looking defense. Expectations should be high, and Sunday turned out to be a great start for them in their quest to return to the playoffs. 

The two teams play again in Week 17 on New Year's Day in New England. 

What makes Tagovailoa's success against New England so impressive is that Belichick defenses tend to cause havoc for young quarterbacks, especially when he sees them for a second or third time. It has not yet mattered to Miami's young signal-caller.