MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said there were positives to take from quarterback Quinn Ewers’ first NFL start, even as Miami’s second-half struggles continued in a 45-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Ewers got the nod to start after Tua Tagovailoa was benched following Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The rookie quarterback was efficient early, completing 10 of 12 passes for 109 yards in the first half as Miami trailed just 17-14 at the break.

“I feel like there was some positive stuff going on with him and it being his first start,” McDaniel said. “It wasn’t too big for him. He had us operating well.”

Miami unraveled after halftime, however, as turnovers and missed opportunities plagued the Dolphins.

The Bengals outscored Miami 28-7 in the second half, while quarterback Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes. Miami was again overwhelmed in the third quarter, a recurring issue for the team.

“There is a lot of venom and anger just towards the resulting third and fourth quarter,” McDaniel said. “I’m very, very frustrated and angry about this continued third quarter thing. It starts with me.”

Miami has now been outscored 113-27 in the third quarter this season. McDaniel said halftime adjustments and execution have not been good enough.

“You have to be able to come out from halftime and adjust,” he said. “We aren’t executing that at all. So back to the drawing board.”

Ewers finished with three turnovers, which he said made it difficult for Miami to stay competitive.

“It’s hard to win ball games whenever you have three turnovers,” Ewers said. “I wish I had a couple of those throws back, but I think it’s a good learning moment.”

Despite the mistakes, McDaniel indicated Ewers could remain the starter next week vs. Tampa Bay.

“I thought he earned some opportunities to continue to develop,” McDaniel said. “I was happy how he handled the position. That’s not easy.”

Ewers said he felt calm and prepared heading into the game and did not feel overwhelmed by the speed of the NFL. He also told reporters that Tua Tagovailoa did a “really good job” of helping him prepare for his first start despite being in a tough position.

He said the game didn’t feel fast to him and he felt like he settled in pretty quickly.

The Dolphins struggled to establish the run in the second half, with Cincinnati limiting De’Von Achane outside of his 49-yard score in the first half. McDaniel credited the Bengals’ defensive plan and criticized Miami’s execution.

“They were winning pad level and knocking us out of gaps,” McDaniel said. “That’s not the brand of football we expect.”

McDaniel was visibly upset with an offensive penalty called on wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., a decision he said did not match what he saw on the field. Still, he emphasized the team’s response afterward was the larger issue.

“That shouldn’t derail the team, and it felt like ultimately it did,” McDaniel said.

The loss guarantees Miami a second consecutive losing season. McDaniel said the focus now is on how the team responds over the final two games, beginning next week against Tampa Bay.

“You’re not avoiding adversity in the NFL,” McDaniel said. “You’re trying to learn who is part of the solution.”

Ewers echoed that sentiment, calling the loss difficult but valuable.

“It’s tough, especially when you see the amount of work that these guys put in,” he said. “But there’s a lot of learning to do, so continue on. Life continues.”

Sunday’s loss dropped the team to 6-9. Miami is now in position to have the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.