MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to local reporters during his weekly Monday media availability, and there was a sense of frustration.
It’s hard to blame everything on him, though.
The Dolphins held a 27-23 lead in the fourth quarter after wide receiver Malik Washington returned a Patriots punt 74 yards for a touchdown – sending the Hard Rock Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
It was the first time since Nov. 1, 2020 that a Dolphins player returned a punt for a touchdown.
What felt like seconds later, however, Miami’s special teams unit gave up a 90-yard kickoff return to running back Antonio Gibson, giving the Patriots the lead back, 30-27.
The Dolphins never regained the lead, ultimately falling 33-27 to drop to 0-2 for the first time under McDaniel, and first 0-2 start since 2020.
The final drive highlighted the same issues that have plagued the Dolphins during McDaniel’s four seasons: pre-snap penalties, miscommunication about player positioning, and poor offensive line play in critical moments.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who completed 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, was sacked five times Sunday.
Miami’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, as the team travels to Buffalo on a short week to face the 2-0 Bills, who dominated the New York Jets, 30-10 in Week 2.
A reporter asked McDaniel Monday what he is doing to stay sane with so many people calling for his job.
“Buffalo,” McDaniel said.
Two weeks in, Buffalo is shaping up as a legitimate Super Bowl contender – led by quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook.
Including the playoffs, the Dolphins are 1-6 against the Bills in the McDaniel era – the lone win coming Sept. 25, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
It’s no secret the Dolphins will be heavy underdogs when they take the field Thursday night at Highmark Stadium – hoping to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2019.
McDaniel is certainly not seeing it that way.
“Fortunately, the bad taste in our mouth continues, but we get another opportunity to play Thursday night against an opponent that will not care about any of our hardships,” McDaniel said Sunday. “At least we get to try to get back out there and make some things right here in a couple days.”
Miami’s Week 3 game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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