3 things we learned in the Miami Dolphins heartbreaking loss to the Bills
By Matt Serniak
![Jaylen Waddle Miami Dolphins (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) Jaylen Waddle Miami Dolphins (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1245693542-850x560-5d09b1a14068f1b8bc5d8ad15388bbaadd5a3ec160f1b9a02b73e60fcf3c12e8.jpg)
Mike McDaniel needs to stop flexing his brain so much and play obvious football a little more often.
What I’m saying is that Mike McDaniel needs to call fewer pass plays on 3rd and short and just call the predictable run play especially when it’s getting you 8 yards a carry.
This might infuriate you. Make sure you not drinking coffee while you see this stat.
Raheem Mostert:
— Dan Jablonski (@dan_jablonski) December 18, 2022
1st quarter: 8 rushes for 101 yards
Rest of game: 9 rushes for 35 yards
8.0 YARDS PER RUSH
Wtf are we doing?
Hopefully, you didn’t spit coffee everywhere.
But yeah, 8 carries for 101 in the 1st quarter and only 35 the rest of the way. It doesn’t make much sense right?
Well here’s another stat illustrating the point that McDaniel outthought himself last night.
I, too, dislike calling five throws on 3rd and 3 or less when you average 7.5 yards per carry! https://t.co/P9FgqlSX0z
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) December 18, 2022
5 throws on 3rd and 3 or fewer? Some of them were deep in Bill’s territory as well. The Miami Dolphins were rolling them running to the right side of the line and your plan is to keep throwing it? Naw, come on. Just run the ball and go for it on 4th if you’d like.
How about even a jet sweep to Tyreek Hill just to vary it up? No reason why you can’t give that a shot. I mean, Hill is the fastest organism on Earth.
After the game, McDaniel gave an answer when asked about it the calls to pass in those situations.
Mike McDaniel said running backs had the right mindset to get ground game going.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 18, 2022
He said getting away from run game was about staying ahead of Buffalo adjustments, had to take advantage of single-high safety looks.
I gotta say I don’t love this answer. This is where overthinking comes into play. If your offensive line is actually getting a push up front and Mostert is running all over them, then run it on at least a couple of those 3rd and shorts. Wouldn’t you rather go down using your best, at the moment weapon? I know I would.
Not only that but McDaniel kept calling play-action on 3rd and short when the Bills were sending pressure in the A-gap. By the time Tua turned back around after the fake, he had guys all around him making the play worthless.
I love Mike McDaniel’s brain. I really do. But I also think he may need someone to talk with during these situations just to let him know the situation a bit more clearly.