Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins delivered a narrative-busting win over Buffalo — and another defining test for his job security looms ahead
McDaniel’s best argument for the future is to break a few narratives along the way. Sunday was big to start.
The Miami Dolphins addressed a narrative in a resounding way on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Miami has been absolutely dominated by the Bills over the course of the past decade, with head coach Mike McDaniel‘s tenure with the team being no exception. McDaniel won his first career matchup against Buffalo, a frantic 21-19 win at Hard Rock Stadium early in 2022. Despite seemingly endless near-misses, he’d yet to coach his team to a win over the Bills again.
Until yesterday. Hopefully McDaniel savored the victory on Sunday night. Amid the calls for his job, Miami resoundingly defeated the Buffalo Bills, 30-13. Now 2-7 against the Bills, McDaniel’s “evaluation” for the future of the job comes with a win in the latest head-to-head against the team that seemingly single-handedly capped Miami’s competitive runs in 2022-2024. For McDaniel’s future, he’ll greatly benefit from addressing another narrative.
He’ll get the chance next month.
Mike McDaniel will need another narrative-busting win to help his job status — and he could get the chance for it
Miami Dolphins’ Upcoming Schedule
- Week 11: versus Washington Commanders (3-7), International Series
- Week 12: Bye Week
- Week 13: versus New Orleans Saints (2-8)
- Week 14: @ New York Jets (2-7)
- Week 15: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4), Monday Night Football
McDaniel’s Dolphins are now set to face a winnable stretch of football games that could see this team make a mini-run. Of course, Miami’s been far too unpredictable this season week to week to officially declare themselves as sure to win the next few contests. But Washington (3-7), New Orleans (2-8), and the New York Jets (2-7) are the next three on the docket. Win those, and another narrative-buster opportunity awaits the Dolphins.
The Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers aren’t a juggernaut this season by any means. They just got embarrassed by the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 10 to fall to 5-4 on the season. But they’re a team that is good in the trenches, they’re a prospective playoff team, the matchup against Pittsburgh will be on the road — up north and in primetime. It’s a Monday Night Football showcase. In December, no less. You know the drill by now. Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins can’t play in the cold. They can’t beat good teams. They struggle in primetime. All the “stuff” is in play, here.
Which makes a potential win, paired with playing consistently against the other struggling teams on Miami’s schedule that much more paramount. If the Dolphins can go on a mini-run and then score another narrative-buster win against the Steelers? Things will get interesting.
But for those in-house? It starts today with a flight to Spain and then a week of undivided attention for the Washington Commanders. This team, and coach, are in no position to put the cart before the horse.