Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel hold out hope the Miami Dolphins still can make playoffs even at 5-7, trailing Denver for final spot by two games.

A dichotomy of mentality and physicality is driving the Miami Dolphins, who don't want Tua Tagovailoa to step into unnecessary hits, but are praising his lengthiest stride: a verbal cue pulled from his interest in boats.

Tua was sacked on a fourth-and-goal from the Packers' 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. Then he was sacked again near the end of the game, after Patrick Paul checked in at right tackle for the injured Kendall Lamm. The Dolphins got no traction in the run game.