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Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN
LANDOVER, Maryland — It took just three plays for the Miami Dolphins to do what they do best.
Facing third-and-2 in Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a 78-yard touchdown, the second longest of each player’s career.
Hill quickly ran past Commanders cornerback Jartavius Martin, who had no safety help over the top. The All-Pro corralled the pass from Tagovailoa and sprinted to the end zone, hitting a top speed of 21.68 mph — the fifth-fastest registered ball carrier speed by Next Gen Stats.
TUA TO TYREEK ON A 78-YARD TD
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📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/I7MXJ3qJbU— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
The score gave Hill his 11th career touchdown of at least 75 yards, the fourth most in NFL history. It also pushed him to a league-leading 1,402 receiving yards this season. He is on pace to become the first player in league history to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards in a season.
As if one wasn’t enough, Tagovailoa found Hill again midway through the second quarter for another long touchdown.
Facing third-and-7 from his own 40-yard line, Hill motioned right and exploded down the seam when the ball was snapped. Tagovailoa was pressured and lofted the ball deep to his speedy wide receiver, who impressively tracked the it down and scored for the 60-yard touchdown.
TUA TO TYREEK AGAIN. 60-YARD TD.
📺: #MIAvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/IK98vuCTEI— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
The reception pushed Hill’s first-half total to 132 yards and two touchdowns on three catches.
The defense also got into the first-half fun. Following a three-and-out on offense, the Dolphins’ defense scored a touchdown to close the first quarter, thanks to an Andrew Van Ginkel pick-six.
Starting in place of Jaelan Phillips, who is on injured reserve with a season-ending Achilles tear, Van Ginkel snuffed out Washington’s screen attempt and returned Sam Howell’s pass 32 yards for Miami’s second pick-six of the season.
Andrew Van Ginkel Pick-6!
📺: #MIAvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/fWh8XUbMEX— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
Van Ginkel’s return extended the Dolphins’ lead to 17-0.