Bouncing back from the worst loss of the Mike McDaniel era

Hard Knocks: In Season With the Miami Dolphins debuted on November 21 and featured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, head coach Mike McDaniel, and the rest of the team throughout the duration of the campaign. The Arizona Cardinals held the title last season, with the Indianapolis Colts making their appearance on the stage in 2021.

The Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 30-0 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium to get to 10-4 for the first time in almost 20 years. Tyreek Hill got an opportunity to rest his ailing ankle as Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle eight times for 142 yards and a score.

Getting Ready for Hard Knocks’ Fifth Episode: Knowing that this episode doesn’t finish with Miami blowing a 14-point lead in the last minutes of the game is SO comforting. The aftermath of the Tennessee game is shown to us, along with the defense’s intention to make a statement by sacking Zach Wilson five times in the first half.

Bouncing back from the worst loss of the Mike McDaniel era

Mike McDaniel is in his office at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning breaking down film of the first matchup with the New York Jets. It’s sometimes hard to believe how much these coaches work — no matter how much they talk about it.

Offensive line coach Butch Barry joins him in his office and they discuss the “little decisions” made against the Tennessee Titans, mentioning how sometimes it’s hard to track them when so much is happening.

We also hear from Mary Martinez and her classroom to help digest the Monday Night Football loss.

Tyreek in a walking boot

Hill joins Tagovailoa in the film room, and Miami’s quarterback is visually frustrated watching the film from Tennesse’s game. Both guys say what we already knew — this is a good football team, but there were way too many blown opportunities.

Hill got an MRI on his foot following the game and didn’t have a limp while warming up on Sunday. I’m glad both Hill and the team played it safe, Miami needs him to be as healthy as possible over these final three games.

“Bottom line, you have to go through s*** together,” McDaniel said when addressing the team. “We lost the game for 15 different reasons, and I have my hand fully in that.”

There was no sugarcoating this loss to the Titans — Miami’s second-year head coach highlights issues from everyone — including the team’s stars. This team was fired up and it quickly turned into 30 points.

Final Thoughts

I noticed the Dolphins feature PFF’s second-highest-graded offense and defense through 15 weeks. Miami had some tough losses against good times — and one terrible loss against a lesser opponent.

That said, this is a team loaded with Pro Bowl potential. Bradley Chubb had three sacks against the Jets on Sunday. Raheem Mostert leads the league with 20 touchdowns.