Dolphins’ Late-Game Decisions, QB Shakeup Signal Turning Point in Miami
Down 28-3 in the fourth quarter against the Steelers, the Dolphins had every reason to hit the gas. But instead of going into hurry-up mode, they stuck with their standard huddles and let the play clock wind down. It was a puzzling approach for a team chasing a miracle comeback-until you hear head coach Mike McDaniel’s reasoning.
“Ultimately, I knew based on the amount of possessions we needed that we were going to have to convert at least one onside kick,” McDaniel explained. “The major focus to me was getting the ball in the end zone.”
In other words, McDaniel wasn’t playing the clock-he was playing the math. Down three scores, he knew time wasn’t the only enemy.
Miami needed touchdowns, and at least one successful onside kick to even have a shot. So rather than rushing plays and risking mistakes, the priority was execution.
Get in the end zone first, then worry about the rest.
That strategy didn’t pay off, and the Dolphins dropped another one. But the bigger story might be what’s happening under center.
Tua Tagovailoa finished the game with 253 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception-numbers that don’t look awful at first glance. But the offense never found rhythm, and McDaniel didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I think the quarterback play last night was not good enough,” he said. “So for me, everything’s on the table.”
That’s not just coach-speak. The Dolphins are making a bold move: rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will start in Week 16. Zach Wilson will serve as the backup, while Tua slides to the emergency QB3 role.
“It’s the best for all parties involved,” McDaniel said.
Tua, to his credit, owned up to the performance issues. He didn’t point fingers or make excuses. He acknowledged that he didn’t do enough-not just as a passer, but as a leader.
“For one, I got to play better. I got to be better for our guys offensively,” Tagovailoa said. “Two, I’m pretty disappointed with how ready I got our receivers, in terms of operation, in terms of guys knowing where to line up, and communication when it comes to personnel.”
That’s a striking admission from a starting quarterback. It’s one thing to talk about missed throws or poor reads. It’s another to take responsibility for pre-snap confusion and communication breakdowns-things that fall squarely on the QB’s shoulders.
Miami’s passing offense currently ranks 31st in the league. That’s a staggering drop-off for a team that, not long ago, was lighting up defenses with speed and spacing. Whether it’s been protection issues, injuries, or execution, the Dolphins haven’t looked like themselves-and now, they’re turning to a rookie to try and spark something.
Tua made it clear that his benching wasn’t about injuries. This was about performance.
And in the NFL, that’s what it always comes down to.
Jets Fire DC Steve Wilks Amid Defensive Collapse
The Jets’ defense was supposed to be a strength this season. Instead, it’s become a liability-and after a 48-20 loss to the Jaguars, the team made a major move, firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
Linebacker Quincy Williams called the move “very unfortunate,” but didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation.
“We weren’t playing good as a defense,” Williams said. “And with him being the leader of the defense, I mean someone’s going to get it. Sad that it had to go down like that.”
It’s a tough truth, but in the NFL, poor performance usually leads to change. And Wilks, as the man calling the shots on defense, took the fall.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has made it clear that these final weeks are an open audition for everyone-coaches and players alike.
“The mindset of these next three weeks is what is it going to look like as a team?” Williams said. “And like A.G. tells us all the time, every time we step out on the field, it’s an evaluation period.”
That message has clearly resonated. Williams spoke with accountability and self-awareness, acknowledging that the players on the field share responsibility for the defensive struggles.
“Really just mostly feel like we took part in it just because we’re on the defense,” he said. “The biggest thing with me as a person, and I can talk for myself only, the call really doesn’t matter. You make the call come alive.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from a leader on defense. It’s not about pointing fingers-it’s about asking, “What can I do better?”
The Jets still have games left to play, and for a team trying to build something sustainable, how they respond to adversity will matter just as much as the scoreboard.