Whatever hopes of revival the Miami Dolphins had after the 34-10 win in Atlanta crumbled right away on Thursday. Three turnovers, zero takeaways, and three red-zone failures summed up their showing as the scoreboard at Hard Rock Stadium froze at 28-6 in favor of the Baltimore Ravens. Following the disappointment, execution was the name of the blame game. 

The Dolphins’ Week 9 performance was all but a highlight reel of self-inflicted wounds– defenders colliding, incorrect lineup out the huddle, and not to forget the false start penalty.  It is week nine, and Mike McDaniel is still left to address the lacking execution. When asked about it during the media availability, he did not shy away from admitting that extremes will be in place if that is what the situation demands.

“It’s frustrating because you are doing different things to problem solve it… It is a recurring theme with lineup changes and stuff, but you give yourself no excuse, and the players no excuse, because on game day you have no excuse,” he started. 

“In my position, I’m not afforded the opportunity to have emotions all the time. But I can’t stop. I have to continue to try to focus on ways to reach people and get things done… There’s a lot of things to weigh; sometimes it costs people their opportunity to play and their jobs. If that’s not a better option for the team, or irresponsible…then you have to recreate a different set of circumstances to get it done.”

Miami, sitting at 2-7 and third in the AFC East, has run out of excuses and likely patience. Despite being one of the better red-zone and goal-to-go offenses in the league, their red-zone efficiency has been just 57.7%. On Thursday, they went 0-for-3 in the same zone.

Pre-snap penalties, busted protections, missed tackles, and mental lapses on key downs have become the pattern for the season. The frustration was evident as running backs coach Eric Studesville, and RB Ollie Gordon II argued on the sidelines. It came right after the call that gave away a 36-yard gain, adding to the early miseries. 

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During the first quarter, with Miami on a 0-3 lead, Tua Tagovailoa completed a pass to Tahj Washington. But in an attempt to gain extra yards, the receiver fumbled in their 20-yard line. Ravens’ safety Alohi Gilman would recover it and return it 11 yards to give Baltimore its first touchdown. 

While Larry Borom secured a false start penalty a few minutes later, Minkah Fitzpatrick collided with safety Dante Trader in the second quarter, allowing the Ravens yet another touchdown. The Dolphins cannot keep up with that with the trade deadline looming. More so, with the change in leadership.

After GM Chris Grier’s exit on Friday morning, word on the street is that the front office might not hold back in making some trades that were previously being put off. Alongside the chatter around edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Matt Judon, and running back Jaylen Wright, Tagovailoa isn’t looking safe either. 

Mike McDaniel runs out of patience with Tua Tagovailoa

That fourth-and-2 throw to De’Von Achane that the Dolphins missed? In the post-game press conference, Mike McDaniel addressed Tua Tagovailoa’s mistake on that exact play. The pass was overthrown, and the Ravens took over possession, effectively killing Miami’s drive and momentum.

McDaniel called it part of a “multitude of failures in a critical situation,” pointing to miscommunication and poor execution that doomed the attempt.

Miami’s offense looked sharp early: 225 yards in the first half, 10 first downs, possession dominance. But the same ghosts showed up again: penalties, turnovers, and Tua’s inconsistency when it mattered. One interception, 261 yards, 62.5 percent completion, two sacks, and zero touchdowns.

“We were minus three [in turnovers], they were three for three in the red zone and we didn’t score a touchdown,” McDaniel said. “You have to cross your t’s and dot your i’s in the National Football League. It’s very disappointing. Unfortunately, we will have to sit on the disappointment for 10 days.”

Tua now leads the league with 11 interceptions. The numbers don’t lie, and McDaniel’s words confirm this harsh reality. The question isn’t whether something will change: it’s who pays the price.