After allowing the Buffalo Bills to score 17 straight points in the second quarter, the Miami Dolphins got the ball back with 3:36 left in the first half on their own 35-yard line facing a 24-7 deficit. With all three timeouts in Mike McDaniel’s pocket, it seemed like plenty of time for the Dolphins to put together a drive and potentially cut the Bills’ lead to 10.
Instead, a far-too-casual Dolphins offense allowed the clock to run, never once took a shot downfield, and eventually settled for a 34-yard field goal on a third down with a few seconds left.
The inexplicable lack of urgency for a team in a huge hole against a divisional rival was puzzling to most watching, including the Prime Video commentary duo of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit.
Social media also had plenty to say about the Dolphins’ lackadaisical approach:
Boo birds in Miami. Warranted. Piss-poor clock management.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 13, 2024
That was an awful two-minute drill by the #Dolphins down 3 scores. Played it like they had a comfortable lead with no sense of clock management.
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) September 13, 2024
WHAT ARE THE DOLPHINS DOING CLOCK MANAGEMENT HELLO
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) September 13, 2024
Mike McDaniel you have your timeouts!!!
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) September 13, 2024
One of the most explosive passing offenses in the league approaching the two minute drill this way is…interesting!
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 13, 2024
Running with a minute left in a two-minute drill is a hell of a choice. Don't think you can push the ball with your $212 million quarterback?
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) September 13, 2024
Dolphins acting like they’re up 24-7 with this 2-minute drive…
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) September 13, 2024
I love Mike McDaniel but that was some of the worst clock management I've ever seen. The Dolphins had the ball at midfield with 2:00 left + all 3 timeouts, and they had to settle for a FG because they ran out of time. He kept calling running plays to get first downs. Bizarre.
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) September 13, 2024
The Dolphins went to halftime down 24-10 with the Bills set to receive the second half kickoff.
