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No ethical victories in shedding, says coach McDaniel after Dolphins drop to 0-3 in 31-21 loss to Bills
No ethical victories in shedding, says coach McDaniel after Dolphins drop to 0-3 in 31-21 loss to Bills
Seeking to keep away from their first 0-3 begin since 2019, and pushed to alter the narrative relating to coach Mike McDaniel’s job safety, the Miami Dolphins got here up quick in a 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night time.
Critical late-game errors price as soon as once more price the Dolphins in shedding for the 14th time in 15 conferences to their AFC East nemesis, and at a Bills stadium the place they’ve dropped 10 straight courting to 2017, together with playoffs.
“I’m by no means happy with a loss,” mentioned McDaniel, who opened the week dealing with questions on his job standing following a 33-27 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“We got here right here to win, and I refuse to take ethical victories as the pinnacle coach of the Miami Dolphins,” McDaniel mentioned. “It wasn’t ok.”
After main the Dolphins to the playoffs in every of his first two seasons, McDaniel’s document dropped to 8-12 since a wild-card playoff loss to Kansas City in 2023.
The Dolphins battled the five-time division champion Bills into the fourth quarter earlier than unraveling. With the rating tied at 21 and after Miami stopped Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense at midfield, defensive sort out Zach Sieler was penalized for roughing Bills punter Cameron Johnston.
The 15-yard penalty led to Buffalo’s go-ahead rating on Allen’s 15-yard TD move to Khalil Shakir.
“I’ve bought to be higher,” mentioned Sieler, one of many Dolphins’ captains. “I can’t make silly errors like that.”
The final result was sealed with three minutes left. Down seven, and dealing with first-and-10 at Buffalo’s 21, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had his move supposed for Jaylen Waddle tipped by rookie defensive sort out Deone Walker after which intercepted by linebacker Terrel Bernard.
“I assumed I used to be in rhythm and timing on the play,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “I believe it was a very good play by the defender. I had some coloration in my face attempting to maneuver the throw as properly. Ten out of 10 occasions, if we’re that very same factor, I believe I’d nonetheless attempt to work that timing of hitting that.”
Efficient as Tagovailoa was in overseeing a get-the-ball-out fast method, his interception was the sport’s lone turnover and his tenth in 10 conferences in opposition to the Bills. He completed 22 of 34 for 146 yards and touchdowns to Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
Though Tagovailoa known as Sieler’s penalty “deflating,” he defended his teammate by noting he was “attempting to do the best factor.”
McDaniel mentioned the Dolphins didn’t design their rush for Sieler to try to block the punt. It’s simply how the play unfolded.
“He was attempting to hurry up the method of the punter by a bull rush on the lengthy snapper, and he was a bit of too profitable in that,” McDaniel mentioned. “So he was form of scot-free, staring on the punter.”
It wasn’t the one expensive penalty the Dolphins dedicated. They had two passing performs that will have gained first downs nullified by penalties for an unlawful receiver downfield. Cornerback Jack Jones was flagged for move interference on Buffalo’s first landing drive, and linebacker Jordyn Brooks took an pointless roughness penalty for hitting Allen after teammate Tyrell Dodson secured a sack early within the third quarter. That gave the Bills a primary and aim on the 1-yard line earlier than James Cook’s landing that made it 21-14.
“Those sorts of issues, that’s how these kind of video games are determined,” McDaniel mentioned.
If the Dolphins’ efficiency might need muted hypothesis about McDaniel’s job safety in the meanwhile, the fourth-year head coach took little satisfaction from the shut loss.
“I’d say it’s frustration that turns into focus,” he mentioned. “I’m very centered and motivated to proceed eliminating issues that price us video games.”
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