Miami played a competitive first half of football. That is the nicest thing I can say about what took place on Sunday. They answered the Bengals’ first touchdown with a TD of their own. Miami took the lead late in the first half. Malik Washington rushed off the right side for a nine yard score giving the Fins a 14-10 advantage. Cincy countered with a score of their own with under 2 minutes left before the break. After half the game unraveled starting with Dulcich’s fumble on Miami’s opening possession. After which the game went down hill quick. Cincy jumped on Miami in the third with 21 points off turnovers. The fumble, a Ewers INT, and a fourth down stop.
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Coaching: (F); This grade encompasses the entire season. Turnovers are hard to pin solely on a coach. Even if they were the result of head scratching calls. Especially fumbles. But even if a play doesn’t seem like the best; the QB still makes the decision to release the ball. Was starting Ewers the right call? I believe so. Miami was eliminated last week; this game meant nothing for either team in terms of the season. If McDaniel is back next year he needs to begin evaluating the talent on his roster. Zach Wilson is not the answer; so testing the QB you drafted was the right decision. Can Miami move forward with Ewers? If so, that frees up the draft. They can focus on other areas of concern.
Coach McDaniels continued with a troubling inability to make in game adjustments. Miami struggles out of the break. Miami has been outscored by 86 points in the 3rd quarter alone. In only one game have they held an opponent scoreless in the quarter. They have given up double digit scores in four games and have allowed multiple scores in two others. The totals are bleak. Miami has managed only 27 points in the 3rd quarter. An average of 1.8 points per 3rd. They given up 113 for a 7.5 per 3rd average. The Dolphins have been held scoreless 11 times in the quarter, including the last 6 consecutive games.
Opponents make the adjustments of which Coach MnM is incapable.
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Running Backs: (A); This group has been the lone bright spot all year for the Miami Dolphins. Achane has broken out this season. He has proven he is a feature back. And a 4 down back. He is tied with Waddle for the team lead in receptions. Second in receiving yards and third in touchdowns through the air. On Sunday he finished with 81 yards, a TD, and over 5 yards per carry. All three Miami scores came via the run game with Washington and Wright getting across the goal line. The team averaged 4.6 yards per rush.
This tells me, not all of Tua’s woes are because of the offensive line. If they can open a hole, they can create a pocket. Had McDaniel adjusted to the run game sooner; the Fins would be in the playoff picture.
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Receivers: (D+); The Dulcich fumble brings this grade way down. It is a mistake that can not happen. Waddle finished with 5 catches on 9 targets for 72 yards. Not a bad day. Nine different Dolphins caught at least one pass from Ewers. Five receivers gained at least 20 yards through the air. All of this bodes well for a group playing with the third string QB. The fumble on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter took the air out. This has been the case all year for Miami. Once one thing goes sideways, the entire game flips upside down.
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Defense: (F); The defense gave up 23 first downs. Allowed Cincinnati to convert on 50% of their third down tries and forced zero turnovers. Sieler continued his strong late season performance. He now has 5 and a half sacks on the year. He has successfully salvaged his season. After not getting to the QB until November 9 verse Buffalo. He had zero in Miami’s first nine games. Even with turnovers and short fields; giving up 45 points is a fail.
The secondary has shown some progress, yet remains the weakest part of the Dolphin’s defense. If they decide to continue with Ewers; this is an area they must target early in the 2026 draft.
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Special Teams: (C-); Bailey boomed several punts and Patterson made all his attempts. Special Teams defense held up fairly well too. Brooks did get away on one kick return, gaining 41 yards, and setting the Bengals up with nice field position. When the punter competes for team MVP, the season has been a failure.
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Quarterback(s): (C); Quinn Ewers didn’t have a horrible debut. It wasn’t perfect, but he competed nicely. The two picks hurt. All in all he finished the game completing over 66% of his passes for 260 yards. He found multiple receivers, got the ball out and avoided being sacked. The interception after the Dulcich fumble, sealed the win for Cincy.
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Officials: (C); Nothing glaring. Game turned into a route removing the excuse of “poor officiating.”
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Overall: (F); The only thing on the line for Miami was pride. They showed how little they have left. The organization is in shambles. Will Tua be back? McDaniel? I have said before that unless a team is willing to trade for Tua, Miami cutting him seems unlikely. It would the most difficult decision Ross has made. He has been too risk averse. I think he holds on till the cap hit softens. If he moves on from McDaniel after the season, Tua will be gone. A new coach will not come in with Tua at center. The Dolphins are stuck between a shark and a coral reef with McDaniel and Tua. Will they show up at all the final two games? Does it change any one’s mind about the off season? I don’t know.
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POLITASPORTS 