The Miami Dolphins have their biggest regular season game in many years this week against the Buffalo Bills. This game decides so much of what the post season will look like for both of these teams, with Miami either winning the AFC East and getting the 2 seed with the win, or winding up the 6 seed with a loss.
With all that has been going in with Tyreek Hill, The Dolphins need to win this game to have any real chance at going deep into the playoffs. But Tua Tagovailoa, who was just announced as pro bowler, faces even more pressure as his future pay check may be on the line on Sunday night as well.
Tua is coming up on a pay check year and although he has been clearly a franchise guy, he has not really done enough for the Dolphins to make him one of the highest paid players at the position in the NFL. Tua has been nothing short of sensational this year, but if they fall to the Bills they may be a first round exit from the playoffs.
If they do not go on a deep playoff run, Tua will not have much to argue with the team when it comes time for a new contract. Winning this and locking up the 2 seed to set the team up for a deep playoff run would go a long way in helping Tua get the contract that he feels he deserves.
Miami Dolphins Have A LOT Riding on Sunday Night
This Miami team has played too well all year for it to all come a part now. They have had one of, if not the best offense in the league behind Tua and Tyreek Hill. This was a year that the Bills struggled most of the beginning of the year as well. So if Miami can’t get the job done now, why would they break the bank for Tua going forward.
Tua has a chance to not only get the 2 seed, but also put himself in position to get a huge contract with Miami. Last season Tua was not able to play in the playoff opener against Buffalo because of injury, and many critics thought Tua simply could not stay healthy. He has proved all the doubters wrong this year and has been healthy all season while putting up very impressive numbers, but if they are a first round exit it probably won’t be enough.
Miami has all their goals in front of them and they are undoubtedly treating this week 18 matchup as a playoff game. There has not been this much riding on a regular season game in a long time, and whoever comes away with the win will be in a drastically better position to go on a deep playoff run. For Tua this is not just about completing his amazing season properly, but it is also a huge game for him when contract talks come around.