Tua has been the key to Fins’ winning recipe

The Dolphins did not have a return touchdown in their first six games this season. But they’ve had three since rookie Tua Tagovailoa became the starter — Andrew Van Ginkel’s 78- yard fumble return and Jakeem Grant’s 88- yard punt return in a 28- 17 upset of the Rams; and Shaq Lawson’s 36- yard fumble return in a

34- 31 road victory against the Cardinals last week.

Probably just a coincidence, but with Tua, perhaps the “it” factor is at work — a special guy with an intangible impact that makes everybody better.

Even when Tagovailoa was bad in his debut, the Dolphins were good in beating the Rams. And he took a significant step forward last week at Arizona — 248 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions for a 122.3 passer rating, plus 35 yards rushing.

You can’t say Tua has breathed new life into the struggling Dolphins, because they already had new life under Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had a 124.9 passer rating ( six touchdowns, two interceptions) in victories against the 49ers ( 43- 17) and Jets ( 24- 0) when coach Brian Flores made the quarterback switch.

But that’s part of the Tua story. Flores switched to Tagovailoa when the team was on a roll with Fitzpatrick. That could have caused problems in the locker room. Instead, the team embraced Tagovailoa as the quarterback they expect to put them over the top. And they are on their way. The Dolphins have won four straight. It remains to be seen if Tua is the guy. But he’s reached the first plateau: his teammates believe in him.

Pick: Dolphins 27, Chargers 20.