Dolphins fans hoping that Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill will have a special connection liked what they saw against the Eagles on Saturday. Aug 1, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) high-fives wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

How well will third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa mesh with receiver Tyreek Hill? It’s a question that will linger throughout the 2022 season and the answer will go a long way in determining what kind of season the Miami Dolphins will have. The first play of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles will give the Dolphins and their fans reason to be optimistic.

Miami ran a play-action pass and after faking the handoff, Tua went deep for Hill. Philadelphia’s coverage on Hill was not bad. But the speedy receiver still managed to get behind the defenders. He chased the ball down and brought it in for a 51-yard reception.

This connection got people in the NFL excited about what might lie ahead during the season.

As good as this play was, what should really give the Dolphins optimism is that it could have and should have been better. The ball was underthrown. If it was thrown a few yards longer, it likely would have resulted in a touchdown.

That said, the underthrow didn’t cost Miami a touchdown on the drive. Tagovailoa and Hill connected for 11 yards on the next play. Then, after a three-yard run from Raheem Mostert, Tua found River Cracraft for an eight-yard touchdown pass.

Of course, one great play doesn’t mean that the connection will be a long-term success any more than one bad play would make it a long-term failure. But if you’re a Dolphins fan, someone who has one or both of these players in fantasy or just someone who likes seeing big plays on the field, this is a positive sign.

[NFL on Twitter]

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