McDaniel Defends Risky Fourth-Down Call in Dolphins’ Narrow Win
The Miami Dolphins emerged victorious against the Washington Commanders, clinching a 16-13 win in an overtime clash that showcased both resilience and controversy. Head coach Mike McDaniel faced scrutiny postgame for his bold fourth-down decision that could have easily swung the outcome the other way.
The High-Stakes Fourth-Down Gamble
With the game tied at 13-13 and just 1:44 remaining, McDaniel opted for aggression, calling for an inside run on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. Ollie Gordon II couldn’t break through, resulting in a two-yard loss that handed the ball over to Washington. This choice drew sharp criticism, even from NFL analysts like Kurt Warner.
Despite Washington being out of timeouts, the Commanders quickly advanced into scoring position. A 28-yard completion from Marcus Mariota to Deebo Samuel followed by a 25-yard connection to Jacoby Jones set the stage for a potential game-winning field goal. However, Matt Gay missed his 56-yard attempt, allowing the Dolphins to escape with the win.
McDaniel addressed the contentious decision, stating, “You don’t make that decision unless you think the play is going to work, and it didn’t.” He explained that a field goal attempt would have given Washington a shorter distance to travel for a tying score, particularly given their special teams’ proficiency. “Those are the type of situations where you try to do the best thing with the recourse of failure.”
Criticism of the Decision-Making Process
While McDaniel’s rationale made sense in theory, the execution—and the aftermath—raised eyebrows. Following the turnover on downs, Washington’s play-calling left much to be desired. Instead of capitalizing on their field position, they ran a conservative inside play for just two yards, wasting precious seconds. An incomplete pass and a deep shot attempt fell flat, leaving the Dolphins’ defense to hold firm when it mattered most.
Critics noted that had McDaniel opted for the field goal, the Commanders would have faced a much steeper climb for a win, needing a touchdown instead of merely a field goal to tie. Furthermore, the Commanders had struggled offensively throughout the game, scoring only one touchdown up to that point.
Adding to the drama was De’Von Achane’s late-game misstep. After a solid 18-yard run that set Miami up for a scoring opportunity, Achane stepped out of bounds, stopping the clock and allowing Washington to manage their time more effectively. If the clock had been running, it might have altered McDaniel’s approach on fourth down.
Lessons Learned in Overtime
Ultimately, the Dolphins dodged a bullet thanks to a combination of Washington’s miscalculations and Gay’s missed kick. While McDaniel’s decision paid off this time, the coaching staff will likely reflect on the importance of risk assessment in high-pressure situations. The narrow victory serves as a reminder that while bold decisions can yield rewards, they can just as easily lead to regret. The Dolphins may have escaped this time, but in the ever-competitive NFL landscape, luck can run out quickly.
