Next Monday in Pittsburgh We Learn if Mike McDaniel Can Win a BIG Game

The Dolphins have turned a 1-6 start around and are now 6-7.

Still technically alive for the playoffs, although unlikely.

But for the Dolphins at this moment in time, it is not about the playoffs.

It’s about determining whether Mike McDaniel should continue as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach beyond this year.

Yes, turning a 1-6 start into a 6-7 record is nice, but honestly, the question is, why did you start off 1-6?

And in this turnaround, are we supposed to be impressed by close victories over the Commanders and Saints, and by beating up on the Jets with a 3rd-string undrafted rookie quarterback?

Sure, they beat the Buffalo Bills, but let’s be honest, the Bills are having a down year and aren’t “THE BILLS” of years past.

For Mike McDaniel to prove things have changed and that he has this head coach job figured out, Monday night, he has the opportunity to prove he can lead a team that can win a big game, on the road, in the cold, vs a good team.

Something he has failed at countless times.

Same for our $200 million quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but that is a different conversation for a different day. He is another one who never comes through in a big spot.

For McDaniel, though, this is it—a moment on Monday Night in front of the world to shut up all of his critics.

Beat a good team, late in the season, in the cold, in a big game.

JUST WIN!

Don’t almost win, keep it close, or sell the fans on some moral victory.

WIN!

No excuses!

Because if Miami loses in this type of situation again, then it is “Same Old Dolphins” in regards to Mike McDaniel.

He has consistently failed to have his team ready to win big games late in the season against good teams.

I have seen Mike McDaniel for 3 years beat up on the garbage NFL teams of the world.

So I am not impressed with Miami’s wins this season over Atlanta, Washington, New Orleans, and the Jets…twice!

Show me more!

Win in Pittsburgh and beat a Hall of Fame head coach, Mike Tomlin, and a Hall of Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in their building in December.

All offseason, we heard the Dolphins players and McDaniel say, “THEY TALK, WE DO.”

Monday Night, December 15th, is the perfect THEY TALK, WE DO moment.

Let’s see if Mike McDaniel can rise to the occasion.