Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard spent four seasons with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. In Sunday's 33-8 shellacking of the Dolphins, Indy knew it only had to make the quarterback hold the ball to discombobulate their opponent.
"We knew the guy, he gets the ball out pretty quick," Howard, who was released by Miami in 2024, said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. "And once we take away his first read, I feel like it's panic mode after that. And it showed yesterday. We took away his first read and he was trying to get rid of the ball real quick."
Forcing Tagovailoa to hold the ball for a beat isn't a new game plan. Every team's goal is to restrict his first look. Sunday, the Colts executed with aplomb. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo confused the QB with droppers, and Miami's belabored offensive line became a sieve.
Miami's offense didn't generate more than 44 yards on any drive until a 65-yard garbage-time TD possession in the final quarter.
Tagovailoa threw two ghastly interceptions, fumbled once, had just 114 yards and one touchdown on 14-of-23 passes.
Colts edge rusher Laiatu Latu snagged one of the interceptions when he dropped into coverage, completely fooling the QB who appeared not to see the 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end. After the game, Latu echoed Howard's comments on getting to Tua.
"You could just tell with the big eyes and him getting flustered," he said of Tagovailoa.
Given the O-line issues, the play-calling questions, and the lack of explosives, things could get darker for Tagovailoa in Miami as they face division rivals, New England, Buffalo and New York the next three weeks.
