Early in the 2023 NFL season, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has shown that numbers and records mean little to him or his team. In Week 3’s 70–20 demolition of the Broncos, Miami chose not to tie or break the league’s single-game scoring record of 73 points.
Yet the Dolphins’ offense continues to compile yards at an impressive rate amid a 4–1 start. In the process, Miami has accumulated the most yards from scrimmage in a team’s first five games in league history. With 2,568 yards, the Dolphins have surpassed the previous record of 2,527 set by the St. Louis Rams during the 1999 season.
That Rams offense was nicknamed “the Greatest Show on Turf” for the powerhouse numbers it tallied on its way to winning Super Bowl XXXIV. So it’s natural to wonder if this Dolphins team might be a championship contender.
However, McDaniel doesn’t want to hear such questions about his team’s statistical superiority. When the coach was asked about Miami’s record-setting output thus far after the game, he had a playfully sarcastic response.
McDaniel’s response to being asked how he feels after breaking the record for gaining the most yards through 5 games is HILARIOUS 🤣
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) October 9, 2023
🎥: @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/7Gac4dfLkv
“Mission accomplished,” said McDaniel. “We had the whole time, the whole offseason that was our goal, was output after five games.”
The media in attendance knew McDaniel was joking, yet the coach gleefully smiled and pointed a finger at the reporter just to make sure his intent was clear. He went on to give credit to his players for their hard work and ambition to be great. Ultimately, he dismissed the idea of setting a record, saying five weeks was “not that exciting.”
Regardless, reporters surely hope McDaniel maintains his playfulness on the sideline and in press conferences.
