BREAKING: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel sends hash controversial words to Seahawks fans after Week 3 loss
The Seattle Seahawks dominated the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, handing them a 24-3 defeat. Despite playing with a backup quarterback, the Dolphins’ performance was disappointing, as most of the team’s starters were on the field, and head coach Mike McDaniel made no excuses for the loss.
McDaniel’s game plan, which had been effective with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, faltered without him, as Tagovailoa missed Week 3 due to a concussion suffered in Week 2. Skylar Thompson started in his place but was injured during the game and replaced by Tim Boyle. Together, Thompson and Boyle completed 20 of 32 passes for only 140 yards, with no touchdowns. They were sacked six times and hit another 12 times, as the Seahawks defense made it a rough outing for Miami’s quarterbacks.
In his postgame remarks, McDaniel did not shy away from the team’s struggles and offered no justifications for their lackluster showing.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel partly blames Seahawks fans for delivering a win to Seattle
Both Dolphins quarterbacks, Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle, are professionals who should be able to adapt, and head coach Mike McDaniel understands this as well. According to David Furones of the *Sun Sentinel*, McDaniel acknowledged in his postgame speech that his team struggled to handle the environment, saying, “We handle the road better… the crowd was rocking. We looked as though it was our first time in a hostile environment.”
On pre-snap penalties, Mike McDaniel said Dolphins need to "handle the road better… the crowd was rocking. We looked as though it was our first time in a hostile environment."
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) September 22, 2024
Seattle’s Lumen Field is known for its deafening crowd noise, thanks to the “12s,” the Seahawks’ passionate fan base. It’s a challenging atmosphere for any team to play in, and McDaniel took some responsibility, implying that the coaching staff didn’t do enough to prepare the team for the noise and intensity that comes with playing in Seattle.
While McDaniel is right to point out that the Dolphins need to better manage the crowd noise, the coaching staff could have done more to get the players ready for the unique atmosphere. The Seahawks’ 3-0 record is, in part, a testament to the impact of their fans at Lumen Field.