It’s fair to say Mike McDaniel would want a redo of this pivotal fourth down moment that decided the Miami Dolphins season.
On Sunday, the Dolphins were down 34-31 against the heavily favored Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card but were pressing late in the game. The Dolphins had the ball at their 47-yard line with three and a half minutes to play in the fourth and were facing a third and two. Salvon Ahmed’s run up the gut ended short of the sticks, bringing up a fourth and one with the season essentially on the line for the Dolphins.
Thanks to earlier play clock shenanigans, the Dolphins had no time outs left, meaning this play was likely the last Miami would get offensively unless they converted. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, McDaniel and crew spent essentially all of the clock deliberating, with Miami finally stepping up to the line with four seconds left on the play clock. And that was after the play clock reset itself, giving the Dolphins even more time to come up with a fourth down call.
The result? A delay of game penalty which backed the Dolphins up and resulted in an eventual incomplete pass from Skylar Thompson to seal the deal.
This is absolutely pathetic!!! I’d be irate if I was a Dolphins fans!
Watch this!! pic.twitter.com/xn1TLD6CKn
— Matt Nahigian (@mattnahigian) January 15, 2023
This is not how you want your offense to look with 4 seconds left on the play clock 4th and 1 pic.twitter.com/KmLCBcwASG
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 15, 2023
While it definitely seems like McDaniel thought the Dolphins picked up the first, causing confusion that stalled the team’s decision making, this was still completely unacceptable in such an important moment.
NFL fans were totally blown away by the Dolphins’ abysmal play clock management in what was their last offensive possession of the game.
Maybe next season the Dolphins will acknowledge that there’s a play clock 🤦🏾♂️
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) January 15, 2023
Mike McDaniel trying to call a play with the Dolphins play clock running down pic.twitter.com/75HkW4Mv1C
— ✈️ (@happyjetsfan_) January 15, 2023
No team has ever disrespected the play clock like these Miami Dolphins.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 15, 2023
4th and 1 with your season on the line, and the Dolphins were still in the huddle with 5 seconds on the play clock. I know Skylar is a rookie, but the lack of game awareness by the entire team is just astounding.
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) January 15, 2023
Dolphins vs the play clock has been a tougher matchup than vs the Bills. Crazy.
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) January 15, 2023
the dolphins treat the play clock like i do my alarm clock
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 15, 2023
Yikes, the Dolphins and these play clock issues are just inexcusable.
— Carmen DeFalco (@CarmenDeFalco) January 15, 2023
I'm sure McDaniel will be kicking himself on that 4th and less than 1. Should never have changed personnel packages that late in play clock. But this has been issue all year, particularly with backup QBs
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 15, 2023
I genuinely am flabbergasted that with 4th and 1 at midfield down three in a playoff game NOBODY thought you’d win, Mike McDaniel changes personnel with 8 seconds left on the play clock. Just mindblowing.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) January 15, 2023
McDaniel was still calling the play in to Thompson when the clock dipped under :20…inexcusable, and a problem all season long. Tua has the experience to get it sorted. A rookie doesn’t. What a shame. https://t.co/OjnmnKB1aN
— Columnist, Phins com (@PhinsChris) January 15, 2023
Awful, awful clock management. Inexcusable. https://t.co/6WGstUI3fj
— Joel Delgado (@JoelMDelgado) January 15, 2023
Hell of an effort by the Dolphins today but that delay of game is going to haunt my dreams until Week 1 2023 https://t.co/JK4vAgemCK
— Aaron Groff (@AaronGroffTV) January 15, 2023
