“It’s gut-wrenching” – Emotional Mike McDaniel opens up about the Dolphins’ rough loss against the Chiefs in the wildcard game

McDaniel believed his team was 100 per cent all in for the playoff game.

“It’s gut-wrenching” – Emotional Mike McDaniel opens up about the Dolphins’ rough loss against the Chiefs in the wildcard game

Mike McDaniel (Via The Phinsider)

Miami Dolphins, the team that started the season with a three-game winning streak and continued to secure prominent wins up until week 16, fell to a stretch of a three-game losing streak, including a crucial playoff game against the reigning Super Bowl champions. In the coldest game of the NFL, the Dolphins fell crashing down against the Kansas City Chiefs by 26-7.

The franchise had high hopes for the playoffs this season with their steady record apart from the last two weeks of the regular season. But now, they have been eliminated from the playoffs and lost their Super Bowl dream. While talking to the media, head coach Mike McDaniel couldn’t hold his emotions as he expressed his frustration.

YouTube video

McDaniel said:

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We fell very short of our goals. We have very strong expectations for ourselves. One of the reasons a lot of people don’t put themselves out there and hold those expectations is because when you fall short of them it’s emotional, it’s gut-wrenching.
Mike McDaniel to the media

Despite the back-to-back losses right before the playoffs and the fact that the Sunday game was going to be the coldest game on record, Miami’s head coach was positive for a victory. He knew his team was “100 per cent all in,” yet couldn’t handle the ball.

But at the end of the day, McDaniel took solace in the fact that his current team played better than last season and hopefully play better in the next season.

Mike McDaniel refused to blame Tua Tagovailoa for the playoff loss

When the whole fanbase and critics blamed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins’ loss in such a crucial playoff game, head coach McDaniel decided not to. When asked to comment on his quarterback’s recent performance averaged the team’s offense to score somewhat over 13 points in the last three games, HC replied:

Everyone has to get better.
Mike McDaniel replied
Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel
Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel (Via Golf Digest)

He asserted putting the blame on just one player for the whole team’s loss isn’t fair and claimed his QB made some good plays in the game against the Chiefs. He also highlighted the plays called that Tagovailoa wants back.

Throughout the season, not once did McDaniel speak ill of his quarterback. He had always praised him and acknowledged his progress in his fourth season in the league.

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