The Dolphins’ season went from bad to worse on Thursday night, and coach Mike McDaniel lost his cool at one point during his team’s blowout loss to the Ravens.
Miami were defeated 28-6 to fall to 2-7 on the year, but one moment in particular caused the usually low-key McDaniel to melt down.
With the Dolphins behind 7-3 in the first quarter, they elected to go for a fourth-and-1 deep in Ravens territory and try to score their first touchdown of the game.
However, those plans were scrapped when tackle Larry Bloom was penalized for a false start – pushing Miami back five yards and causing McDaniel to become enraged.
As seen on the Prime Video broadcast of the game, McDaniel could be seen screaming following the mistake and threw his headset onto the ground.
He then sent out Riley Patterson to attempt a 35-yard chip shot field goal following the penalty – which the veteran actually missed.
Mike McDaniel lost his temper during the first quarter of his team’s loss to the Ravens
Lamar Jackson torched the Miami defense for four touchdowns in his return from injury
Ultimately, despite producing 332 yards of total offense and making three trips to the red zone, the Dolphins failed to score a touchdown on the night as McDaniels’ coaching seat continues to heat up.
‘We’ve been putting such an emphasis on all things related to our operation,’ McDaniel began after the game, speaking about the penalty that caused his temper to boil over.
‘And in a critical fourth-and-one, where we’re pretty fired up about the defensive look, it was what we were calling the play for. That’s flat-out a controllable that our team knows that keeps you from winning. I was irate at nothing but our self-inflicted wound.’
Tua Tagovailoa completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards and an interception in the loss, while Miami also committed two fumbles.
Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, shone in his return from a hamstring injury, tossing four touchdowns and 204 yards as Baltimore moved to 3-5 on the year.
With Miami far from the playoff picture at present, it is becoming increasingly likely that this season will be McDaniel’s last at the helm in South Beach.
The coach has an even 30-30 record in Miami, and led the team to playoff berths in his first two years in charge.
However, his team is now just 10-16 dating back to the beginning of last season, and things don’t get much easier next week with a matchup against the Bills looming.
