Tua Tagovailoa Player Stats: Dolphins QB Emerges as NFL MVP Favorite Week 1
Tagovailoa's MVP Odds Skyrocket From +2200 to +700
Can the Miami Dolphins take another step forward this NFL season? They certainly are trending in the right direction following a huge Week 1 performance from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He helped the Dolphins, a 3-point underdog, rack up 536 yards of offense in a wild 36-34 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
What was so unique about Tagovailoa’s outing? And what does it mean for bettors? Read on as we take a closer look at Tua Tagovailoa player stats.
Enormous Start for Tua
Tua Tagovailoa player stats are unrivaled after Week 1. Tagovailoa completed 22 of 45 passes (62.2%) for 466 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Los Angeles.
Tagovailoa’s 466 yards were the fourth-most in NFL history for an opener. It was also the second-highest total of his brief career. Tagovailoa passed for 469 yards in a Week 2 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last season, per NFL scores.
When healthy, Tagovailoa was highly productive in 2022. A 64.8% passer, Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The Dolphins finished 9-8 under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, ending their six-year playoff drought with an appearance in the Wild Card Round. Only injuries kept Tagovailoa from finishing among the NFL leaders in passing. Keep in mind, Tagovailoa had a league-high passer rating of 105.5 among quarterbacks who made at least 13 starts.
The Dolphins finished sixth in total yards (364.5 per game), and with most of their playmakers returning, it’s easy to see why they’re ticketed for 9.5 wins (-110 Over, -110 Under). Tagovailoa is obviously the key to their success.
Odds Outlook
Tagovailoa’s NFL Most Valuable Player odds skyrocketed following his big performance, going from +2200 to +700. He’s now the favorite in some sportsbooks, ahead of reigning winner Patrick Mahomes (+800), Josh Allen (+900) and Jalen Hurts (+900). Currently, Joe Burrow (+1000) is the only other player with 10/1 odds or better.
If healthy, Tagovailoa has the ability and talent around him to stay there. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have cemented themselves as one of the NFL’s most explosive receiver tandems. But again, health may be the biggest obstacle. Tagovailoa missed five games last season, including the playoffs, with multiple concussions. Tagovailoa was so concerned about his health that he admitted considering walking away from football at one point.
This offseason, Tagovailoa, 25, did jiu-jitsu training to help learn how to better protect himself when falling. So far it’s helped, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Dolphins brass will certainly be holding their breaths whenever Tagovailoa takes a hit this season.
With a healthy and productive Tagovailoa, Miami is capable of making a big run. Oddsmakers seem to agree. Following Buffalo’s overtime loss to New York on Monday night, the Dolphins are +140 co-favorites with the Bills to win the AFC East. Miami is also +800 to make the Super Bowl, the fourth-best odds in the AFC behind Kansas City (+375), Buffalo (+450) and Cincinnati (+650).
Tagovailoa, who is also +4000 to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year, may still need to play well for an extended stretch for some bettors to trust him. But clearly, his NFL results are already turning heads.
For Tua Tagovailoa player stats, NFL betting odds, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
