The Miami Dolphins are entering Super Wild Card weekend with an injury-plagued team for a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, revisiting their Week 9 matchup. Adding to the challenge, they will contend with the adverse conditions of potentially frigid arctic temperatures, dropping to a record low of 0 degrees, accompanied by a wind chill that could reach as low as -30. It’s safe to say the Dolphins won’t be experiencing the familiar South Florida climate this time around.
Regardless of the outcome, the Dolphins should persist in their commitment to their current head coach, Mike McDaniel. Recent reports suggest that McDaniel’s position might be in jeopardy if the Dolphins lose to the Chiefs in the upcoming game.
It would be a significant error for the Dolphins’ senior management to let go of McDaniel so hastily. While the team may have struggled against top-tier competition, their first-round opponent, the Chiefs, have only secured three wins against teams with records above.500 and just one victory against a playoff team—the Dolphins.
Heading into the game against the Chiefs, Miami is dealing with the absence of over eight starters, and there’s uncertainty about the availability of key players like running back Raheem Mostert and star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Coping with such a significant loss of talent during crucial games can be challenging, and McDaniel seems to be managing numerous injuries, even for a team that has displayed resilience throughout the season.
However, the primary reason for the Dolphins to stand by McDaniel, regardless of the game’s outcome, is their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Although Tagovailoa hasn’t proven himself in big games so far in his career, he ranks in the top five for crucial quarterback statistics: yards (1st), touchdowns (5th), completion percentage (5th), rating (5th), and completions (4th).
For the Dolphins, stability and continuity are essential. Since being drafted fifth overall in the 2020 draft, Tagovailoa has had seven different offensive coordinators. McDaniel is now a coach who believes in him, and it takes time for some quarterbacks to reach the Super Bowl.
Looking at the experiences of former Hall of Famers John Elway and Steve Young, it’s evident that the sub-zero conditions in Kansas City will mark Tagovailoa’s first exposure to the playoffs. McDaniel deserves more than just credit for how the team has performed this year.
McDaniel is an inventive and captivating individual who has guided the Dolphins to consecutive playoff appearances. This achievement is noteworthy for a franchise that hasn’t secured a postseason victory since 2000 and has only made the playoffs four times in the past 15 years.
Regardless of the outcome against the Chiefs, McDaniel deserves a warm welcome back to Miami for the next season. His leadership has brought the team to the playoffs consistently, marking a positive turn for a franchise that has faced challenges in recent years.
