The Miami Dolphins suffered a crushing defeat in their season opener, losing 33-8 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins trailed throughout the match, failing to score until the fourth quarter, as both offense and defense faltered. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faced criticism, particularly for his two interceptions, but Coach Mike McDaniel argued that the defeat should not be blamed solely on him.

Tagovailoa completed 14 out of 23 passes for 114 yards, finding the end zone only late in the game. Despite this setback, McDaniel defended his quarterback, emphasizing that the entire team failed to support him effectively. “There are many aspects of the game that contributed to this outcome,” McDaniel remarked.

He noted, “It’s definitely not all on him. There are just throws that I know he makes nine times out of 10. Still, it’s hard to play quarterback when surprise pressures occur or when there’s confusion in the huddle.”

Running back De’Von Achane was one of the few bright spots for Miami, excelling in both rushing and receiving despite the unfavorable game conditions. Achane averaged 7.9 yards per carry and caught Tagovailoa’s only touchdown pass.

As McDaniel stated, “Too many individuals failed in their execution, so Tagovailoa does not carry this weight alone. The rest of the team must step up to compete in the NFL.”