The Miami Dolphins headed to North Carolina to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and it was a huge disappointment. The Dolphins blew a 17-0 lead going into the second half and ended up losing 27-24. The Carolina Panthers went on a 27-7 run to win the game. The Dolphins are now 1-4, making this the worst start since 2019.
Mike McDaniel and Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross got together after the game, and they both showed frustration. McDaniel said, “He was really frustrated, just like I was,” McDaniel said Monday. “We talked about the challenge ahead to get ready for the Chargers, and that was really the extent of it.”
Miami Dolphins Owner Frustrated With Terrible Start To Season
McDaniel was hired as the Miami Dolphins head coach in 2022, after Brian Flores was let go after his third season with the Dolphins. While the losses keep piling up, McDaniel says worrying about his job security would take his focus off his actual job.
Following the loss, Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said, “Being 1-4 sucks, and ‘we’ve got to figure this out now.” The Dolphins scored on their opening drive, but it spiraled out of control after, with only 19 yards rushing, the lowest ever under McDaniel, and just flat out embarrassing. Tagovailoa threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, completing 27 of 36 passes.
Sunday also marked the first time Miami lost under McDaniel when leading by at least 17 points. They were 10-0 in such games entering Week 5. McDaniel said he views this loss as his responsibility and called the loss “unacceptable.”
Final Thoughts
The Dolphins also allowed Carolina to run all over them with 239 rushing yards allowed, the most since 2022. Carolina Panthers Running Back Rico Dowdle rushed for a career-high 206 yards and a touchdown. McDaniel also addressed that he thought the Dolphins got comfortable and let their foot off the gas. He said, “That’s not winning football, that’s not winning defense.”
The Miami Dolphins will host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6. While the Chargers are coming off a loss as well, the Dolphins will have to get to work immediately to have any chance of stopping Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense.
