jilicc 77 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards in 2023, and he has been just as sharp for much of this season. But on Wednesday, Tagovailoa shouldered a share of the blame for what he called a surprising 5-7 start, saying his month-long stint on injured reserve with a concussion played a huge part in the way this season has unfolded. “I don’t think that (record) shows the character of who we are as a team,” Tagovailoa said. "It doesn’t show the work that we’ve put in this offseason together. “Nobody else will say it but me, and I feel like this has a lot to do with myself, obviously putting myself in harm’s way in the second game, going down and basically leaving my guys out to dry ... I do take heart to that as well and don’t want to do that to my guys again.” The Dolphins looked like they were returning to last season's form during a recent three-game winning streak, but questions about Miami's toughness resurfaced after a poor performance at frigid Lambeau Field last Thursday, when the temperature at kickoff was around 27 degrees. Miami missed 20 tackles, per Next Gen Stats, and allowed 114 yards on the ground while only rushing for 39 yards. Tagovailoa was sacked five times. The Dolphins have lost their past 12 regular-season or postseason games in which the temperature at kickoff was 40 degrees or lower, with more potential cold weather games coming up at Houston, Cleveland and the New York Jets later this season. Miami was 4-10 in games played in December or later in the past two seasons. “Collectively you’ve got to all have that same mindset,” Tagovailoa said of Miami's toughness. “That’s why we have team football, that’s why you’re in team sports. I think you’ve got to look at it as, are you mentally tough and are you physically tough? They have to go hand in hand. If one of those things has a kink in it, it could go one way or the other.” A few weeks after former Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott said the Dolphins were “soft” when he played there, linebacker Jordyn Brooks criticized his team's toughness after losing to Green Bay. “I feel like we let the elements control the way we played,” Brooks said after the 30-17 loss. “As a group, I thought we were soft. Simple as that.” Coach Mike McDaniel said he expects all kinds of criticisms to come when the team fails to reach expectations, but added that he uses the game tape to measure toughness. “If I have an example of weak-mindedness or situations where a guy is turning something down or how he’s loafing because of a result, those are things I can coach,” McDaniel said. McDaniel added he didn't see anything on the tape to suggest players weren't giving full effort, but he did see many instances of missed tackles because of straining and poor technique — not bringing their feet through the tackle — which got worse as the game went on. He also said players would have insisted he bench teammates if they were “loafing” or turning down assignments, which he indicated didn't happen. “I'm very aware that the narrative exists," McDaniel said, "and with absolute certainty, I know that the narrative will exist unless it changes. There’s one way to change it. And that’s winning a game against the New York Jets. "And you know what? People still might not call you tough. Cool. I take it very serious as a head coach to be responsible for things that can help to be accountable and to bring forth information that’s actually helpful, not finger pointing." Some Dolphins players disagreed with the notion the team isn't tough enough. “I guess we’ve got to prove it wrong," said defensive tackle Zach Sieler. “If people think that, we’ve got to go out there and beat it. I don’t think that’s the case. I think we play physically up front. I think we play physically all around. I think we’ve got to make sure we’re showing that on Sunday.” Miami placed backup cornerback Cam Smith on injured reserve after he dislocated his shoulder against Green Bay. The Dolphins also signed tackle Jackson Carman off the practice squad and signed cornerback Jason Maitre to the practice squad. ... Edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode practiced Wednesday for the first time this season, and McDaniel didn't rule out the possibility of one or both of them playing on Sunday. Chubb tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 17 last season, and Goode ruptured a patella tendon in the season finale. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWould I rather have Bo Nix or Shedeur Sanders as the quarterback of my NFL team for the next 10 years? Sanders’ ceiling is higher. Nix has a higher floor. Both quarterbacks are accurate and good leaders. Sanders should be close to or better than C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans. But I’d rather bet on the talent and potential of Sanders. – Chris, Vail Kiz: The Bo Bandwagon has gone from zero to hysteria faster than a Tesla. I walked into my barber shop last week and was greeted with these words: “Nix is the fix!” Hey, I’m the knucklehead that told Broncos Country this team would easily eclipse the 5.5 victory total established by Vegas oddsmakers and make the playoffs. But y’all might want to slow your roll. Nix will have to show me what he’s got on the road in the postseason before I’m a true Bo-liever that he’s the definitive answer at QB for the next 10 years. We have solid evidence Nix can play at the level of a starting NFL quarterback. He’s improving as the season progresses, so he probably hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. Sanders looks great at CU, but there are a lot of QBs who are great in college but a bust in the NFL. I’d take Nix. – Nick, Huntersville, N.C. Kiz: Over a year ago, after the Buffs lost 48-41 to USC, I declared Sanders was a better quarterback than future No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams. Folks laughed at the time. Well, what about now? If the Raiders or Giants pick first in the 2025 draft and don’t take Sanders, they’re dumber than they look. Nix is a safe NFL quarterback. Sanders can be a special one. Friday Faceoff: Who’s got a better chance to make the playoffs, the Broncos or the CU Buffs? Before I pick between Bo and Shedeur, you need to tell me: Who’s the coach of Sanders’ NFL team going to be? – Jerardo, San Jose, Calif. Kiz: Far be it from me to push Deion Sanders out the door at CU. But should the Raiders get the chance to land Shedeur in the draft, a father and son reunion in Vegas could be the most magical act on the Strip since Penn and Teller. I was planning on going to the Broncos game against the Chargers on the Sunday before Christmas. But now that the game has been flexed to Thursday night, I’m glad I didn’t buy tickets. No way I’m driving from San Diego to Los Angeles on a Thursday afternoon. – 5280 in SoCal Kiz: You think commissioner Roger Goodell gives a hoot about messing with your holiday travel plans? If fans mattered more than television revenue to the NFL, the Chargers would’ve never left San Diego. And today’s parting shot answers the question: Why on earth didn’t the Colorado Rockies trade long-ballyhooed second baseman Brendan Rodgers before unceremoniously dumping him? The Rockies have inept people running their baseball operation and franchise owner Dick Monfort hates to make changes in the front office. – Dave, Denver

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Travis Hunter is no stranger to being in the spotlight whenever he steps on the field. But even Colorado’s two-way star couldn’t have anticipated being blindsided — this time by a referee — during a crucial play against Kansas. Hunter looked to be in perfect position to make a tackle on Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels. But the ref put Sanders on his butt with the unexpected contact and Daniels scampered for 31 yards just before the half. The play advanced Kansas into the red zone, but Colorado's defense held firm, forcing the Jayhawks to settle for a field goal. Allowing a touchdown could have been disastrous for the Buffaloes, who had been fighting to close the gap all afternoon. Kansas had surged to an early 17-0 lead, powered by their dominant ground game and a 51-yard strike from Daniels to Devin Neal. Shedeur Sanders and Hunter helped keep Colorado in the game. The duo connected on a 51-yard touchdown to open the scoring for the Buffaloes. Hunter finished the first half with four catches for 90 yards and a score. © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Sanders was nearly perfect, completing 12 of 13 passes for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Colorado offense simply didn't get much time on the field. Kansas did a tremendous job controlling time of possession, more than doubling up the Buffaloes. Kansas came into the game riding high, fresh off a pair of upset wins over ranked teams. Colorado is seeking a spot in the Big 12 title game but will likely need to win their last two games. Related: Kansas Defender Called Out After ‘Dirty’ Hit on Shedeur Sanders