NFL World Reacts to Dolphins’ Fourth-Quarter Mistakes vs. Bills

Miami blew a golden opportunity to keep a potential go-ahead drive alive on fourth-and-one.

Late in their AFC wild-card showdown against the Bills, the Dolphins faced fourth-and-one on their own 48-yard line. Buffalo clung to a 34–31 lead, as the Bills had been unable to shake unheralded quarterback Skylar Thompson.

What followed was nothing short of a disaster. In drawing up its next play, Miami bled the entire play clock, incurring a delay of game penalty it could not afford. On fourth-and-five, Thompson missed tight end Mike Gesicki to send Buffalo for all intents and purposes to the divisional round.

It was an inauspicious end to a mistake-filled quarter for the Dolphins, blowing a golden opportunity to pull a seismic upset. Writers and fans alike took to social media to criticize coach Mike McDaniel and Miami for the end of the game.

Some aimed their jokes at the first-year coach.

Mike McDaniel finding out he has to call a play before the play clock expires pic.twitter.com/1oRhwKHKQQ

— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) January 15, 2023

Some focused on Miami's final, fatal penalty. 

Dolphins figuring out what play to call on 4th & 1 pic.twitter.com/GzDZ0MHt7d

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2023

Still, others noted that the mistakes were on brand for the Dolphins.

Brutal delay of game from the Dolphins…

Not surprising as they led the league in operational mistakes and it caught up! @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/wlucrSEkcs

— Bleav (@BleavNetwork) January 15, 2023

McDaniel, for his part, told reporters that he was misinformed by another staffer on whether the decisive play was fourth or first down.

So on that 4th down delay late, McDaniel said he believes he was told in headset (meaning by team staffer) that it was a first down. Thus, the last second change of personnel when he learned otherwise

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 15, 2023