The Miami Dolphins continued a troubling trend in the 2023 in Week 9. They went overseas to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany and suffered their third loss of the season, falling to 6-3. But, most concerning, was how they lost.
The Dolphins have scored 20 points or fewer in all three of their losses, scoring 24 or more in all of their victories. Their losses have come against the three best teams that they have faced thus far this season; the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Chiefs.
That has led to some people questioning how legitimate of a contender are the Dolphins. They have the No. 1 ranked offense in the NFL, but it is clear something isn’t working when they face off against upper-echelon teams in the league.
Following their loss against the Chiefs on Sunday, former NFL wide receiver turned CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson brought some attention to what he feels is a major question. Is it time to turn some of the focus on head coach Mike McDaniel for those struggles?
“You have to put some pressure on the coach,” Burleson said about McDaniel.
It is fair to question McDaniel, who is a young coach still finding his way in the NFL. He is in only his second season as the head man for the Dolphins and has plenty more to learn. Finding a way to beat good teams is the next step in his evolution.
There is a lot to like about what he does with the team. You don’t score 70 points in an NFL game or lead the league in offensive production as a fluke. But, something needs to change when it comes to facing more talented teams.
It would be a bad idea to bet against McDaniel figuring something out. He had an undermanned Dolphins team competing last season and earning a Wild Card spot despite injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, his first and second-string quarterbacks.
Heading into their bye in Week 10, the Dolphins will have a chance to figure some things out. Their schedule isn’t overly difficult out of the bye, as the Jets are the only team with a record above .500 Miami will face in their first four games following it.
That will give them a chance to keep rolling and build momentum into a very difficult stretch that includes their second matchups with the Jets and Bills and games against the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens as well.
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