Darren Waller

Miami faces Cincinnati in Week 16 A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources. Ewers first start comes Sunday vs. the Bengals. (Adam Schefter on X) FF Today's Take: Tua has struggled this season including throwing the most INTs (15) among all quarterbacks and with the Dolphins out of the playoff race, a change has been made. Ewers was drafted in the 7th round back in April and will be making his first NFL start against the Bengals. This will case some doubt on the fantasy value of Jaylen Waddle and TE Darren Waller. Tagovailoa is due $54 million fully guaranteed in 2026.

The Dolphins gained just two first downs in the first quarter as Tagovailoa threw a badly under-thrown interception on the team's second possession. They would then manage a lone field goal in the second frame to take a 7-3 deficit into the half before losing 20 yards on two third quarter possessions. It wasn't until going down 28-3 that the Dolphins showed any signs of life, with Tagovailoa connecting with veteran tight end Darren Waller for consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the final score appear far less dire than the first three quarters would have indicated. One of the final plays of the game summed up Tagovailoa's night succinctly when he tried to call a timeout as the play clock expired, only to be ridiculed by the Steelers defenders for not having any timeouts remaining. The loss eliminates the Dolphins from postseason contention in yet another forgettable season under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Six of Waller's seven receptions came on three fourth quarter possessions as the team entered desperation mode after falling behind 28-3, two of which were touchdowns. The first was a "yolo" ball thrown by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into Waller's vicinity, with the former basketball player high-pointing the football over Asante Samuel Jr in the corner of the end zone. The two would then hook for a touchdown from 13 yards out on the subsequent possession as Waller broke free of his defender in the end zone. Waller's best game of the season could not come at a better time for fantasy managers in the first week of the playoffs.

Waddle's four targets ranked behind running back De'Von Achane and tight end Darren Waller, largely held down by a dysfunctional offense that managed only three points through the first three quarters. It was then Waller who took advantage of prevent coverage in the final frame, catching six of his seven receptions and both touchdowns in the final 15 minutes. The veteran speedster briefly departed for unknown reasons, something fantasy managers will want to monitor closely in the coming week of practice after the Dolphins were eliminated from postseason contention.

Waller secured seven of eight targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins' 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday night.