Tagovailoa rallies Dolphins past Panthers

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. >>

Tyreek Hill knows he has a fine coming for his touchdown celebration in Sunday’s 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers. The NFL’s leading receiver — who caught one of Tua Tagovailoa’s three TD passes — said it was worth it.

After Miami (5-1) fell into an early 14-point hole, Hill flipped the lead back in the Dolphins’ favor with a 41-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter. He celebrated by grabbing someone’s phone near the end zone and recorded himself doing a backflip. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for the second straight game.

“Being able to create memories that I can look back on when I’m done playing is always something I think of each and every time I play this game,” Hill said. “Every time I step on the field, I’m going to try to make it memorable.”

The All-Pro receiver caught six passes for 163 yards to bring his NFLleading season total to 814 yards receiving.

“You just know where he’s going to be,” Tagovailoa said. “Speed kills.”

Miami came from behind and scored 35 straight points before Mike White replaced Tagovailoa with about four minutes left and threw an interception that was returned by cornerback Troy Hill for a touchdown.

The play brought Carolina within 14, but Salvon Ahmed scored on a 9-yard run to give Miami, the NFL’s leading rushing team, 162 yards rushing for the day.

Tagovailoa finished 21 of 31 for 262 yards and has an NFL-leading 1,876 yards passing this season.

The Panthers (0-6) took advantage of an uncharacteristicly slow Dolphins start with a 6-yard rushing touchdown by Chuba Hubbard in the opening quarter. Then, Adam Thielen caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young.