Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Bad snap dooms Dolphins in loss to Chiefs

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 5, 2023 1:29 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins faltered in the clutch during a 21-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

On a fourth-and-10 at the Kansas City 31-yard line, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa failed to secure a bad snap with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter. After the turnover on downs, the Chiefs chewed the clock and secured the victory.

A wild snap on 4th down and the @Chiefs seal the game in Germany ‼️

: #MIAvsKC on NFL Network
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpceuE pic.twitter.com/XB5XpCxEck
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

The 25-year-old — who's fifth in the NFL in the QBR (67.8), per ESPN stats — failed to step up and make big plays against a stingy Kansas City defense. He completed 21-of-34 passes for a season-low 193 yards. He threw one TD and was sacked three times for 18 yards.

The Dolphins are 6-3 after the loss and still have a solid chance to make the postseason. The New York Times simulator gives them a 93 percent chance to make the playoffs.

However, the defeat raises questions about whether Miami is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Along with the loss to Kansas City (7-2), it underwhelmed in losses to the Philadelphia Eagles (7-1) and Buffalo Bills (5-3).

Clearly, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins must be sharper against elite opponents. Otherwise, doubts will continue to emerge.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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