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The Beginning of the end of the McDaniel era
New England Patriots and rookie quarterback Drake Maye handed the Miami Dolphins another
crushing loss on Sunday, winning 33–27 in a chaotic, penalty marred game that raised serious
questions about Miami’s direction as a franchise.
The Patriots marched down the field on the opening drive, setting the tone with a crisp
touchdown possession. New England’s front four showed aggression early, collapsing the pocket
on multiple occasions and forcing Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into uncomfortable
situations. A missed extra point made it 6–0, but the Dolphins offense sputtered in response.
With backups again starting on the right side of the offensive line, Tua looked skittish, sensing
pressure before it arrived. He nearly threw an interception, saved only by offsetting penalties.
New England capitalized on Miami’s shaky start. Maye found success against soft coverage,
converting key third downs before lofting a one-on-one ball that his receiver snatched with a
highlight-reel one-handed grab. Another missed PAT kept the score at 12–0.
Miami briefly rebounded with a vintage Mike McDaniel drive, full of motion and effective zone
runs, capped off by a Tagovailoa touchdown pass to Devon Achane. After a long Patriots
possession ended in a field goal, the Dolphins answered before halftime with a quick strike two
minute drill, highlighted by Achane’s explosive catch and run score. At the break, New England
held a 15–14 lead, though Miami seemed to have rediscovered its rhythm.
Still, the first half underscored Miami’s defensive issues. The Dolphins continually failed to get
off the field on third down, committed costly penalties, and surrendered easy completions.
Coordinator Anthony Weaver’s unit looked unprepared, and Maye picked them apart with poise.
By halftime, he was 12 of 14 for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins briefly seized control early in the second half. A 48 yard heave from Tua to Tyreek
Hill set up a field goal, giving Miami its first lead of the season at 17–15. A sack by linebacker
Jordyn Brooks on Maye added to the momentum, and another field goal extended the advantage
to 20–15.
But the Patriots struck back. Maye delivered the play of the game, dodging Jalen Phillips in the
pocket and finding Rhamondre Stevenson for a 56 yard catch and run. Moments later, Maye
scrambled for a touchdown and converted a two-point try to reclaim a 23–20 lead.
Special teams then turned the game into chaos. Miami’s Malik Washington electrified the crowd
with a 74 yard punt return touchdown, only for Patriots returner Antonio Gibson to immediately
counter with a 90 yard kickoff return score, flipping the game back in New England’s favor,
30–27.
Miami’s final attempts were plagued by penalties and missed opportunities. A desperation heave
by Tua resulted in an interception, and though the defense forced a long Patriots field goal to
keep hope alive, the Dolphins couldn’t capitalize. Achane’s would be game winning touchdown
was wiped out when replay showed he stepped out of bounds, and Tua was sacked on the final
play.
The numbers told the story of wasted opportunities. Miami committed 21 total penalties in a
game nearly impossible to watch cleanly. Achane finished with 5 carries for 22 yards and 3
receptions for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns (one called back). Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle
made splash plays, but Miami’s offense remained inconsistent. Meanwhile, Stevenson was a two
way force for the Patriots, posting 54 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards, while defensive
lineman Milton Williams recorded two clutch sacks.
For the Dolphins, the loss drops them to 0–2, with frustration boiling over. Questions about
leadership and accountability dominate the conversation. General manager Chris Grier, head
coach Mike McDaniel, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver all face scrutiny after another
undisciplined, disappointing performance.
The Patriots, now 1–1, appear to have found their quarterback of the future in Maye, who
demonstrated remarkable poise and playmaking ability against a defense in disarray.
As for Miami, Sunday’s collapse reinforced what many already fear, this is a franchise spinning
its wheels. Until the penalties, pass protection, and defensive inefficiencies are addressed, the
Dolphins will remain what they’ve been called by critics “a joke of an organization.”
I believe this leaves no choice, but the jobs of Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel must be
terminated at once.
Written by: Blake Korn
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