Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa pinpoints who let Miami down vs. Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins faced a crushing setback in Week 15 of the NFL season, falling 28-15 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, watching their playoff hopes officially vanish. In the aftermath, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made it clear who he believed let the team down — himself. The comments from Tagovailoa not only reflected accountability, but also revealed deep frustration with how the team’s offense prepared during the week.

The 27-year-old signal-caller’s performance looked efficient on paper, as he completed 22-of-28 of his passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, but much of that production came after the outcome was largely decided. The Dolphins fell behind early in the freezing Pittsburgh conditions and struggled to establish rhythm or generate explosive plays until the fourth quarter.

ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Dolphins quarterback admitted he wasn’t satisfied with his preparation or leadership during the week, saying he took full responsibility for the team’s showing. Louis-Jacques shared this quote from Tagovailoa after the loss.

“I feel like I let my guys down.”

Rather than deflecting blame toward receivers or coaching, Tagovailoa focused on his own role in the offense’s miscommunication issues. He noted that operational details — from timing routes to pre-snap adjustments — were off, particularly during early drives when the Dolphins struggled to sustain momentum.

The defeat not only dropped Miami to 6-8 but also mathematically eliminated the team from playoff contention. For the second straight season, the Dolphins are left watching from the sidelines in January. With three games left, the focus now shifts to the quarterback’s response and whether he can help stabilize a Miami offense that has regressed late in the year.

Despite the loss, Tagovailoa’s willingness to shoulder blame may serve as a turning point, provided the lessons translate into tangible improvements on the field. With the season winding down and postseason hopes gone, how the quarterback responds over the final weeks could shape the Dolphins’ direction moving forward.

Related: ‘Flabbergasted’ Troy Aikman did not hold back on Miami’s MNF tactics

Related: Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers celebrates unsung Dolphins defender after MNF