Miami’s Dolphins suffered a 45-21 defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, a loss that sealed their second straight playoff exit and highlighted recurring third-quarter problems. Head coach Mike McDaniel chose not to comment on his future with the team, even as owner Stephen Ross indicated he likely will remain through 2026. The game added to a season marked by turnovers and a long playoff drought.
The Game and Its Consequences
The Bengals’ victory was decisive, with Miami turning the ball over four times and allowing four Bengals touchdowns. Those turnovers were the difference in a game that ended the Dolphins’ postseason hopes for the second consecutive season. The loss also reinforced the pattern of third-quarter collapse that has plagued the team all year, a problem that McDaniel said will be a focus for improvement.
McDaniel’s Response
“The focus for me as a head coach, there is plenty to focus on,” McDaniel said, refusing to confirm whether he has been told he will return next season. “I don’t spend my time thinking about the job I already have,” he added. “I try to do it to the best of my ability, and I have work to do to get our third quarters right. We’re not going to have any time to waste because there’s going to be a hungry Tampa (Bay) team that we’re going to face in a week. My focus is there, and everyone depends on me to have my focus there.”
He also expressed frustration over the third-quarter issue: “I’m just very, very frustrated and angry about this continued third-quarter thing,” McDaniel said. “Where it appears … really the dam breaks and all of a sudden we play a different style of football. The way I look at it is I’m furious because I’m allowing it to happen. It starts with me. While I’m up here after games, you probably won’t get much other finger-pointing besides I need to get it fixed.”
Owner Stephen Ross’s Perspective
NFL Network reported earlier Sunday that owner Stephen Ross is expected to stick with McDaniel in 2026 despite another season of unfulfilled expectations for the Dolphins. Ross’s decision comes while the team holds the NFL’s longest playoff win drought at 25 years.
Quarterback Decision: Tagovailoa vs. Ewers
McDaniel faces a tough decision about the quarterback position after last week’s loss at Pittsburgh ended the Dolphins’ postseason hopes. He named rookie Quinn Ewers the starter earlier this week, seeking conviction at the position.
In his first career start, Ewers completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards and led three scoring drives. Fans, some of whom put brown paper bags on their heads as the game got out of hand, watched the rookie’s performance. Ewers said, “It didn’t feel fast to me. During the week I thought we did a good job of keeping our eyes on the play clock and not getting in the rhythm of practice. Like, ‘Hey, it’s just practice. We’re going to continue on to just go through the motions.’ But we had a play clock on me during the week, which I think helped a lot. It felt good to be out there. Didn’t feel fast.”
He appeared more rattled in the second half, throwing two interceptions, but McDaniel did not critique the rookie’s performance too heavily because the team unraveled in the third quarter.
Tagovailoa’s Role on the Sideline
Tagovailoa served as the Dolphins’ emergency third quarterback behind Ewers and veteran Zach Wilson. He stood on the sideline with a clipboard, giving Ewers pointers and celebrating after positive plays. Ewers praised him: “He was good. Super encouraging to me and all the guys. He’s in a tough position in that spot. … I’ve been there, and I know how he feels. I thought he did a really good job of helping me out on the sideline and continuing to talk to those guys and continuing to encourage those guys.”
Broader Context and Season Outlook
The Dolphins have already been eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight season, and the third-quarter collapse has become a recurring theme. McDaniel has faced questions about his job security all season, yet he remains focused on correcting the team’s performance in the middle of the game. The owner’s public support suggests that the organization is willing to give McDaniel another chance, but the season’s results have put pressure on both the coaching staff and the front office.
Key Takeaways
- Miami lost 45-21 to the Bengals, ending a second straight playoff bid.
- Coach Mike McDaniel declined to discuss his future, emphasizing a focus on fixing third-quarter performance.
- Owner Stephen Ross is expected to keep McDaniel through 2026, despite the team’s 25-year playoff drought.
- Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers started, completing 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards, but threw two interceptions in the second half.
- Tagovailoa acted as an emergency third quarterback, providing support and encouragement on the sidelines.
The Dolphins’ season remains a work in progress, with the coaching staff aiming to address the third-quarter issues that have cost them games and the playoffs. The organization’s continued support for McDaniel signals a desire for stability, even as the team seeks to turn its fortunes around in the coming games.
