3 Dolphins to blame for Wild Card loss

3 Dolphins to blame for Wild Card loss, No. 1: Mike McDaniel, HC

Considering he had had to start his third-string quarterback, it was quite a showing from first-year head coach Mike McDaniel. But what truly overshadows the fact that he almost got his first playoff win is the clock management. It was a brutal day for McDaniel.

There were numerous moments where the Dolphins’ offense had to scramble to the line of scrimmage to get the play off before the clock expired. Perhaps the worst moment arrived at the end of the game.

The Dolphins faced a fourth-and-one situation down 34-31. It seemed like a simple quarterback scramble type of play. However, the team had to run to the line of scrimmage to try and snap the football. It was too late, as the on-field officials called them for a delay of game. Miami was pushed five yards backward and made their chances of extending the drive that much more difficult. Sure enough, Thompson’s pass to tight end Mike Gesicki fell incomplete. That gave Buffalo the football with over two minutes remaining while Miami had no timeouts left.

After the game, McDaniel was asked about the delay of game. McDaniel said that someone on his staff informed him that they had a first-down, so they were preparing for a first-down play.

The game will be a learning experience for the Dolphins, but it certainly stings that they had a chance to potentially tie or win the game on that final drive.