Sports
Tua claps back at criticism from Cam, pundits
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa put it Thursday, talking about playing quarterback is a lot easier than actually playing the position.
When asked about whether he’s being criticized more for his contract than his play, Tagovailoa suggested his job is more difficult than pundits make it seem.
Tagovailoa was specifically asked about Cam Newton’s comments on ESPN’s “First Take” last week, following the Dolphins’ 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which the former NFL MVP criticized Tagovailoa’s performance considering the four-year, $212.1 million extension he signed last summer.
“Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels,” Newton said. “Am I pocket watching? No, I’m putting things into perspective here … In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year, alone, I’ve heard him more than I ever had. That’s not to say you can’t talk, I like quiet Tua. Alabama Tua. Chip on your shoulder Tua. Not, ‘is somebody going to come in and watch film.’
“What you’re being paid, what you’re asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to the another, I look at the situation like come on dawg. Especially when you’ve got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had.”
Tagovailoa admitted he hasn’t played “anywhere near” the standard he’s capable of, but dismissed Newton’s comments in response to football pundits as a whole.
“Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then. I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,” Tagovailoa said. “Cam is doing his thing for sure, but I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them.
“I think it’s easy to do that, I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”
Tagovailoa’s five touchdown passes are tied for seventh-most in the NFL through three games, but his four interceptions are tied for 2nd-most.
He also ranks 29th in quarterback rating with a 35.8, and his 6.4 air yards per attempt ranks 25th. He’s turned the ball over in all three of Miami’s games this season as the team started 0-3 for the first time since 2019.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa can always improve but praised his quarterback’s mentality during the team’s losing streak.
“The game of a franchise quarterback is never just still … there’s opportunities that he needs to take advantage of,” he said. “There’s also a ton of opportunities to turn the ball over that he hasn’t taken. He’s really answered the bell for 99% of the time … It’s not an easy task to be in his shoes, but I’m very happy with where his mind is at and where his focus is at because if he was a weaker-minded individual, it’s tough for any quarterback during any losing streak or any whatever.
“He’s focused on being 1-0 against the New York Jets and that’s why I know he’s capable and I’m excited to see his next opportunity that we work on all week because of just that, of being focused on the right things.”
Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards in 2023, in what remains the only season he did not miss a game. He missed a career-high six games to various injuries in 2024 and insists that “getting down” and protecting himself is a priority in 2025.
The Boxing Day weekend continues with some great matches this Saturday!
The day began with Manchester City grabbing a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest to go one point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. However, the Gunners then regain their two-point lead at the summit with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, while reigning champions Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by 2-1 thanks in part to Florian Wirtz‘s first goal for the club.
Finally, we finished the day with fourth-placed Chelsea losing to third-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, 2-1.
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Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett is on the verge of NFL history, as he is just a half-sack away from tying the single-season record set by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.
Garrett, 29, said it would be “special” to break the record by sacking Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“It’d be special. He’s legendary himself. And it’s a legendary record I’m out here chasing. So that’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with,” Garrett said at a press conference Friday.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 9, 2025. (IMAGN)
Rodgers is quick to get the ball out, and Garrett said it’s important to take away his easy reads.
“Gotta take away those easy access throws, make him look at his second read, and he’s gotta keep rushing. There’ll be (opportunities) if we continue to get stops during the game, and he can’t continue to lean on those quick passes, when you gotta score points,” Garrett said.
The Browns, who are 3-12, play the Steelers at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot with a win over the Browns.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Garrett hopes the Browns play spoiler, so if he sets the record on Sunday, he would do it in a win.
“Yeah, I just play. I want to get it, and you know, like I said, I want to win while doing it. And I think we have the guys who are locked in who want to do that as well,” Garrett said.
The seven-time Pro Bowler said there is no pressure that comes with the record looming.
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“Pressure? Nah, no pressure. Like I said, it’s going down. So, I’m not stressed or worried about if I’m going to get it. Just a matter of when,” Garrett said.
Garrett has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The four-time All-Pro has an astounding 124.5 sacks in 132 career games.
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Sports
Giants star Malik Nabers pokes fun at own season-ending injury, fantasy football in hilarious commercial
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The NFL’s regular season is ending soon, which means that fantasy football seasons are also coming to a close.
But while the season may be ending, the fantasy football punishments are only just beginning. For the player who finishes in last place, one common punishment is that they have to spend 24 hours in a bar, or at an IHOP eating pancakes.
New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers was drafted in the first round by many players, but the second-year wide receiver tore his ACL in Week 4. The Giants certainly missed him in the lineup, as did a lot of fantasy football players, whose teams looked a lot different without Nabers.
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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on Sept 21, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Nabers and IHOP partnered to make a hilarious commercial, which made fun of his injury and the impact it had on fantasy football players.
“Every year, thousands of fantasy football leagues make their last-place team spend 24 hours at IHOP eating pancakes,” Nabers said.
A waitress then interrupted and said, “Just like you helped everyone’s fantasy team this season?”
RAIDERS STAR MAXX CROSBY LEAVES TEAM FACILITY AFTER GETTING RULED OUT IN GAME FOR NO 1 PICK
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is carted off the field following an injury during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Nabers was eating pancakes, with his crutches next to him, when a kid walked up and asked the Giants star if it was actually him.
After Nabers confirmed it was himself, the kid yelled, “I wasted my first-round pick on you!”
The 22-year-old was on his way to making his second season look a lot like his rookie season. As a rookie, Nabers had 109 receptions for 1,204 yards with seven touchdowns.
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Nabers set the record for most catches ever by a rookie wide receiver. In four games before tearing his ACL, the former LSU star had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Fantasy owners who draft Nabers next season hope that he will regain his form and that they will avoid last place.
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