Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he's focused on preparing the team, not his job security.

Pressure Point: Heat is on 0-2 Dolphins, McDaniel with Bills up next

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That wasn’t merely a crushing defeat for the Miami Dolphins against a division rival they hadn’t lost to at home in six years.

It had the look of a regime killer.

The home opener against the New England Patriots was prefaced by a plane pulling a banner over Hard Rock Stadium calling for firing of Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier.

That sentiment is certain to grow louder after a fourth quarter collapse resulted in a 33-27 loss that exposed glaring deficiencies on offense, defense and special teams. And most notably to coaching.

Especially with a prime-time date at Buffalo in four days where odds favor the Fins falling into a 0-3 hole to open the season.

Sunday’s game was a wild and fascinating afternoon of football. But there is much more than entertainment value at stake for a Dolphins franchise lost in the woods for a quarter century.

This is a team that is obviously regressing despite having a $200 million veteran quarterback and a coach in his fourth season.

Asked if he was concerned about his job, McDaniel said, “I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job, and I think that inherently is against all things that I believe in.”

Dolphins dig early hole again

The apparent lack of preparation and level of incompetence evident in both season-opening defeats is inexcusable.

On their final two possessions, needing a touchdown to win, the Dolphins not only couldn’t handle the Patriots, they literally sabotaged themselves with mindless penalties – four of them for false starts or delay of game – and incompetence.

Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times in those two possessions – five times total in the game – and threw an interception directly to a defender.

Tagovailoa, who was on the losing end against New England for the first time in his career, said he plans to talk to McDaniel and the offense about those failings, “because what we put out there, that was [unsatisfactory].

“Anyone who knows football and anyone who doesn’t know football, just knows that was not clean and that was not right what we were doing at the end of the game. We’ll get that fixed and communicate that to those guys and we’ll move forward from there.”

Part of the problem was the patchwork right side of the offensive line with starters at guard and tackle on injured reserve for at least a month.

Still, there is no masking Tagovailoa’s own shortcomings, notably his lack of mobility and inability to improvise and save a play when it goes awry.

Former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard said last week that Tua went into panic mode when the Colts took away his first look. That was evident at times against the Patriots.

Notably, Tagovailoa expressed frustration with communication from the sideline at the end of the game. This speaks of a team out of sync.

“That was really frustrating. It was frustrating with the communication, with the guys inside the huddle and then what the personnel is, then the play for those guys,” Tagovailoa said. “Do we have too many guys in, why do we have another guy running in. Just the whole operation of that was not up to standard, was not up to par and I’ve got to do a better job with our guys in that sense.”

Dolphins’ woes on defense tough to overcome

Meanwhile, the ineffectiveness of Anthony Weaver’s defense has been astounding. After giving up points on every Colts possession in week 1, the defense was burned for two touchdowns and a field goal by the Patriots before getting its first stop five minutes into the third quarter following a sack by Jordyn Brooks.

After being embarrassed on the road at Indianapolis, the Dolphins, inexplicably, looked just as unprepared for their home opener. They fell behind by two touchdowns while being outgained 143-5 in net yards to open the game.

As for special teams, the Dolphins got a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Malik Washington to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter. Only to give it back by allowing a 90-yard return on the ensuing kickoff.

“Ultimately, I look at absolutely everything falling on me,” McDaniel said. “That being said, I’m very frustrated with some coaches and players that did not [execute] with the game on the line. Our communication and substitution was up to par.”

Nonetheless, McDaniel’s Dolphins let a winnable game get away at home after rallying to lead twice in the second half.

Vrabel has Dolphins’ number

The win was the first for Mike Vrabel as coach of the Patriots. But he is 3-0 against Tua-led Dolphins including his tenure with the Tennessee Titans.

If the season continues to unravel for Miami, the turning point of the Tagovailoa and McDaniel era may be traced to the December 2023 defeat at Tennessee when Vrabel’s Titans rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes.

It was difficult to look at Vrabel on the Patriots’ sideline Sunday and not feel some envy from a Dolphins perspective.

Nonetheless, the Patriots are a rebuilding team with a long way to go to challenge Buffalo in the AFC East.

The Dolphins seem farther from being up to that task than at any time under McDaniel, and they’ve never been close.

Tagovailoa was asked if he was aware of the banner that flew over the stadium before Sunday’s game.

“I didn’t see any of that but I did hear the boos,” he said. “That’s part of the game. It’s all understandable and it comes with the game.”

The Dolphins have now lost to two middling teams with undistinguished quarterbacks to open the season. The Patriots’ Drake Maye, at least, is young, mobile and demonstrated potential Sunday. But he’s a long way from Josh Allen, the long-time nemesis the Dolphins must quickly prepare to face on Thursday night at Buffalo.

It’s been quite awhile since there has been so much at stake for the Dolphins this early in a season.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Terence Crawford defeats Canelo Álvarez, becoming king of the super middleweight division

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Terence Crawford upset Canelo Álvarez for the super middleweight crown (168 pounds) in front of 70,482 fans, becoming the first undisputed male champ with four belts in three divisions. He said after the fight that people made too much of him coming up in weight (two divisions), and that he punched harder and was the bigger man.

 

Crawford, the southpaw with switch-hitting ability, strutted to the ring as mariachi from Desperado (1995) echoed through Allegiant Stadium, holding a guitar case, like the grim reaper on his way to collect his next victim. How he would handle power at 168 pounds was the biggest question before the fight, and the answer was that he never got hurt. He even stayed in the phone booth longer than expected, winning the exchanges against the favored Mexican pugilist. 

 

Both felt each other out early. Canelo stalked, trying to overwhelm with his pressure and power, but none of it fazed Crawford. The best shot by the former in the early rounds was a blow to the fleshy part of the body. The latter snuck in a left hook after the double jab. 

 

Crawford’s first real test was in round four, getting caught with two big right hands upstairs, taking it well. Then Crawford, who had a four-and-a-half-inch reach advantage, started stretching his control in round six as his jab became a bigger factor with seven touches. His best strike of that sequence was a sharp left hand, escaping the ropes and staggering Canelo. In between the next round, Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, was heard telling him to be more active. 

 

Then Canelo, who was getting mauled,  accidentally headbutted him in round nine and opened a cut that didn’t bleed, briefly pausing the fight. Action resumed, and Crawford’s progress continued as he outlanded him in power shots 22-9, per CompuBox. He said later at the press conference the cut would require stitches later.

 

Crawford’s game plan involved sticking on the move, but he also had moments, brawling in the middle. Yet the moments he was surgical was too much for Canelo. Crawford connected on a jab to the head that caused Canelo to briefly disengage from frustration in the 10th round, and it happened again in the 11th. On top of that, his uppercut landed and a combo broke the guard. He subsequently knocked his Mexican, frustrated foe off balance with some shots in the 12th.

 

The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.  

 

Crawford, on one knee, was overwhelmed with emotions. First he thanked god, called Canelo a great champion and said he didn’t know if it would be the last fight of his career. 

 

Canelo’s answer was ambiguous as it left the public uncertain if he wants a rematch. He later said at the press conference that Crawford is way better than Floyd Mayweather Jr., who defeated him in 2013.

 

Crawford later said, “Mean Machine hit harder than Canelo to me.”



Miami Dolphins Face Early Season Gut Check vs. New England

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The Miami Dolphins open up their 2025 home games this Sunday against the New England Patriots, one week after getting embarrassed by the Daniel Jones led Colts. This loss has caused an immense ripple effect from the national/local media and fans. Mike McDaniel is now a huge betting favorite to be the first coach fired, Tyreek Hill trade rumors are swirling, and their entire identity is once again being questioned.

Now for Dolphins fans this shouldn’t be anything new, 25 years of the same story, the same finish, and the disrespect regarding their favorite team. But the Dolphins must do something to change this and it starts Sunday, otherwise the most exciting build in recent Dolphins history, the Super Bowl window, Mike McDaniel, Tua, Grier, Tyreek, all of that, is over; and the reset button will once again be hit for a team that sports the second longest playoff win drought (advancing to the next round) in the four major U.S sports.

But what can the Dolphins do to try and get back on track this Sunday.

  1. It starts with showing up ready to play. The Dolphins got punched in the mouth last week, and if it weren’t for Devon Achane they would have been shut out. They played without energy, lacked the will to win, and were unprepared, which is quite unacceptable for the first game of the season, a game that McDaniel had yet to lose. So, this week, with another perfect record on the line (Tua is 7-0 vs New England) the Dolphins must start fast, get the fans behind them before Hard Rock Stadium lets out relentless chants that will be hard for the team to ignore.
  2. Play Together. This sound silly but it’s true. The Miami Dolphins must be a team, the team of 2023 played together, had fun, and most importantly had each other’s backs. After a loss like last week, it’s easy to get off track, try and pin the blame on another teammate and lose belief but the Dolphins have to play complementary team football. From communication to accountability, it all needs to be on display this Sunday vs their rival (Let Jordyn Brooks Explain).
  3. Tua must play well. Quarterback one has been acting quite defensive with the media recently (My Observation). Tua is under heavy scrutiny from both the fan base and the national media, even though he insists he is not on social media. Many critics question whether he is truly a franchise quarterback, and after what might have been the worst performance of his career, he needs to respond. The talent is there, the intangibles are there, but the only way to silence the noise is to bounce back and prove it on the field.
  4. Get Tyreek Involved.This has to happen for several reasons. First, Tyreek Hill is Miami’s best offensive weapon, and since 2023 the team is 11-0 when he records 100 or more yards. Second, keeping him engaged is crucial. He has started the season focused and seemingly free of distractions, but if the Dolphins keep losing and fail to feature him, frustration could build and eventually lead to trade demands. The irony is that proving he is still one of the league’s most dangerous weapons also boosts his trade value. Getting Hill involved keeps the offense explosive while also giving Miami leverage for the future.
  5. Win. Miami has to win, if they lose, they are staring 0-3 right in the face as they have a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Bills next Thursday. To make matters worse the noise will be even louder from fans and media alike. Winning builds culture as much as coaches and captains, keep losing and the “players only meeting” will be all for not.

The Dolphins have no margin for error. They need to show up Sunday, play with urgency, and remind fans why this was supposed to be their time. If they fail, McDaniel and the entire leadership core could find themselves on the hottest of hot seats and Miami will once again be forced to hit reset on a franchise stuck in a 25-year cycle of disappointment.

Austin Dobbins – Sports Illustrated

Five Takeaways from the Miami Dolphins Embarrassing Week One Loss

Three Panthers to Watch at 2025 Prospects Showcase Tournament

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Next week, the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will formally hit the ice for training camp at the Baptist Health IcePlex in preparation for what they hope to be as successful of a season as the previous two. 

 

Before the big boys come together as one, the next generation of Panthers hopefuls skated at the IcePLex on Thursday morning ahead of the 2025 Prospects Showcase, which is set to take place Sept. 12-15 at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, FL.

 

When the Panthers prospects take on their counterparts from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes systems over the weekend, here’s three players I’d pay close attention to. 

 

F, Jack Devine

Of all the prospects within the Panthers’ pipeline, 21-year-old forward Jack Devine is the one Florida fans have been eager to see — and they are right. 

 

A former standout and two-time National Champion  at the University of Denver, Devine’s offensive touch — specifically his playmaking ability — is the biggest asset of his game.

 

When Devine’s collegiate career came to an end last April, he joined Florida’s AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers near the end of the regular season and stuck around for their run to the Calder Cup Final, playing in seven games throughout the postseason. 

 

“It was awesome,” Devine said of his experience in Charlotte. “The way the guys welcomed me into the team, [it] made me feel like a player from day one.”

 

Like the rest of the prospects that will be featured in this list, the biggest downside of being in the system of a consistent contending team — or in this case the back-to-back Stanley Cup winners — like the Panthers means there’s really no room for a youngster to crack the lineup. But, the process is key and Devine is tracking to be on a similar path to another American forward who went from college to Charlotte before becoming a Stanley Cup champion.

 

“I look at Samo (Mackie Samoskevich) — the year he had with us in Charlotte,” Checkers head coach Geordie Kinnear said on Thursday when asked about Devine joining his team last season. “[Mackie] got to be a part of the taxi squad here [in Florida], watch the games. The hunger those guys have to have a positive impact to win in the end, it’s priceless.”

 

F, Gracyn Sawchyn

Those within the Panthers organization have high hopes for 2023 second-round pick Gracyn Sawchyn. 

 

Clocking in at 6-foot, 154 pounds, the 20-year-old’s measurements don’t exactly jump out at you. However, his presence on the ice will certainly get your attention. 

 

Before returning to the WHL last year, Sawchyn and fellow Albertan Hunter St. Martin — then both 19-years-old — stuck around at the Panthers main camp far longer than what was initially expected of the two junior-eligible players. 

 

“Every year it’s been a little bit different,” said Sawchyn, who is set to play in his third Prospects Showcase. “The biggest thing for me is just trying to play a mature game. Do that this weekend and hopefully carry that on into training camp with the big guys.”

 

His poise and confidence with the puck is as good as it gets for someone in the Panthers system. He can feather a tight-window pass to an open man, walk a defender and rip the puck — which is why he scored 30 times in 54 games last season with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

 

F, Hunter St. Martin 

Like Devine and Sawchyn, 20-year-old Hunter St. Martin is entering his first professional season and I think he’ll be just fine making the jump to the next level.

 

At the last Prospects Showcase, St. Martin stole the show, scoring in every single game before getting the call to main camp with the defending Stanley Cup champions. 

 

After a successful training camp,  he returned to the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), where he scored 39 goals in the regular season and eight more between the WHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup. 

 

“The long season, the playoffs, that’s a huge experience to have,” St. Martin said when speaking of his final junior season. “Those grinding games in the finals, you’re in your 90th game of the year in the Memorial Cup. It’s just finding ways to win those hockey games… your body maybe doesn’t want to go but you have to find a way and just grind it out.

 

“I think that’s a really good experience to have heading into pro because that’s what it’s going to be like late in those seasons.”

 

Based off line rushes at Thursday’s prospects skate, expect St. Martin to start the showcase alongside Devine and Sawchyn. 

 

Prospects Showcase Schedule 

Game 1 – Friday, Sept. 12: Carolina vs. Florida, 2 p.m. ET

Game 2 – Saturday, Sept. 13: Tampa Bay vs. Florida, 5 p.m. ET

Game 3 – Monday, Sept. 15: Nashville vs. Tampa Bay, 12 p.m. ET


Games can be streamed on FloridaPanthers.com

Panthers’ Sam Bennett Takes Stanley Cup to Humane Society

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — 2025 Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett’s on-ice performance last season was instrumental in the Florida Panthers repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Yet, his off-ice contributions were equally impressive.

 

Prior to the 2024-25 NHL season, the Panthers forward started “Benny’s Buddies”, a charitable program with the Humane Society of Broward County. Every time Bennett scored a goal during the season, he would pay the adoption fee for a dog or cat at the shelter.

 

By the time Bennett hoisted the Stanley Cup for a second time in his career, 41 adoption fees were sponsored thanks to the 41 goals he scored throughout the season (25 regular season, 15 playoffs, 1 4 Nations Face-Off).

 

On Wednesday, Sam and his wife Zoe brought the Stanley Cup to the Humane Society in Fort Lauderdale.

 

There, the Bennetts met with eight animals, including the final two “Benny’s Buddies” adoptions from the previous season — a 3-year-old female dog named Piper and another 3-year-old dog called Kate.

 

A few sniffs and licks of the Stanley Cup — by the animals of course — was just a small part of a great day for all parties in attendance.

 

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Bennett joyfully said about bringing the Cup to the Humane Society. “I didn’t think I would have the opportunity [to bring the Cup]. I just found out a couple of weeks ago that I was going to have an hour with the Cup today.

 

“I’m so excited to bring it here and just get more attention to the Humane Society… that’s really the whole goal. It’s to get more people to come and look at adopting pets.”

 

Over the offseason, Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with the Panthers. With that, “Benny’s Buddies” will continue on into the 2025-26 season.

 

“That’s the plan… every goal I score will cover the adoption fee of a dog or a cat,” Bennett said regarding his charitable contributions headed into next season.

 

“Me and my wife both loved animals our whole lives,” Bennett said when asked why he chose to sponsor animal adoptions. “My wife started volunteering here a couple years ago when I first got traded [to Florida]. Then, we ended up adopting a dog from here and there were so many amazing animals. We wanted to do something to help more animals get adopted.”

 

Before starting “Benny’s Buddies”, Sam and Zoe rescued two animals in the Fort Lauderdale area, with their dog Billie being adopted from the Humane Society.

 

While Bennett was the one sponsoring adoption fees, his Panthers teammates were excited to help out in their own way.

 

“My teammates all throughout the year, every time I scored they would say ‘oh that was for the animals’. If someone gave me a back-door tap in they would say ‘oh I passed it so you could get another animal adopted’.”

 

Much like his play from last season, Bennett’s charity only continued to reach greater heights as the year progressed. Bennett said many people reached out to him over the season to see how they could help.

 

Merchandise requests have also been at an all-time high after both Bennett and Panthers head coach Paul Maurice dawned a “Benny’s Buddies” hat at the Stanley Cup parade last June.

 

“I didn’t think people would want them that bad,” Benentt said regarding the hats. “Everyone’s been asking where we can get them. So we’re in the process of trying to get that going.”

 

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, learn more at the Humane Society of Broward County.

Fingers crossed that the public is the biggest winner in Canelo Álvarez versus Terence Crawford

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It’s fight week for the mega spectacle between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford that will decide the undisputed champion at 168 pounds on Sept. 13. Neither man has officially kissed the canvas in their careers, and this clash of titans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will be the biggest of the year. 

 

FanDuel Sportsbook has Canelo as a -192 favorite. DraftKings has him at -165, and Caesars at -170.   

 

Crawford didn’t have the same fishing power at 154 pounds facing Israil Madrimov that he did at 147, ending his knockout streak at 11. That also includes all eight welterweights he fought. He eventually solved Madrimov’s awkward movements and strike patterns for a unanimous decision, but it was far from his best showing in the ring at his only stay at junior middleweight. 

 

After going up 14 pounds, Crawford’s power will be tested by Canelo, who claims the four belts and will keep pressing forward until given a reason not to. Still, Crawford shouldn’t be underestimated for being the smaller man because he is the superior boxer.

 

“I ain’t scared of shit,” Crawford said at the press conference for the fight on June 27. He also thinks too much is being made of the weight jump. Manny Pacquiao probably thought the same thing when he moved up two divisions and retired Oscar De La Hoya.

 

But what Canelo will it be? It’s been 12 years since Floyd Mayweather said he would “carry the torch” after that education. The last real test he saw was against Dmitry Bivol, who was a significant underdog before the first bell. Canelo came back down to super middleweight after that loss and at least four of his fights since 2022 have been against opponents who should not have been in the ring with him. And he couldn’t put down Jaimee Munguia and Edgar Berlanga after hurting them. 

 

Canelo may be older boxing-wise than people realize. In Douglas Fischer’s piece for The Ring magazine’s August edition, he wrote that Canelo told him years ago that 13 fights were not counted on his pro record. Still, even with a substandard performance in the unanimous decision victory over William Scull, who was there for a check, Canelo is the most dangerous fighter Crawford has challenged.

 

The biggest question of the fight is how Crawford, a two-time undisputed champ (four belts), will handle the heaviest shots of his career. Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said he probably has to make it a “stinker,” but if Crawford rides constant movement while jabbing off the back foot plus firing light-speed backhands to the body, without brawling, I suspect many purists won’t complain.

 

Bivol’s blueprint at light heavyweight (175 pounds), set on May 7, 2022, is not one that Crawford can follow completely. Bivol, the naturally bigger man, had the faster hands and bothered Canelo with his movement and guard that took lots of Canelo’s good punches.  He eventually got bold and bullied the smaller man at times. 

 

The red-headed Mexican has tried to get into Crawford’s head, saying he hasn’t faced one elite fighter, but that’s not true. He broke Errol Spence Jr., who much of the boxing world deemed a 50-50 opponent in a massive fight in 2023. The Nebraska native also has many other good wins. The one over Shawn Porter is one of his top moments because he questioned how it was going in his corner, got an answer he didn’t like and dropped Porter twice, finishing the fight. But like all of the great ones, even Canelo, there are things that could be nitpicked. 

 

Considering how supremely gifted Crawford is, it’s a shame he’s not known about by the public as someone like Stephen Curry. Perhaps an upset would change that. But fingers crossed that the public is the biggest winner.

 

 

 

 

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill showed his frustration during the season-opening loss to the Colts.

Pressure Point: Tagovailoa’s woes among many concerns in Dolphins’ disastrous opener

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What. A. Dolphins. Disaster.

What went wrong for the Miami Dolphins in the season opener at Indianapolis?

Let us count the ways. Actually, easier to simply say, everything. Absolutely everything in a horrific 33-8 undressing by the Colts.

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill summed it up perfectly: “This was a big kick in the balls for us.”

It is one thing to go on the road and lose on opening day. That’s not surprising in the NFL.

But when every single offseason concern is not only confirmed but magnified, red flags about what lies ahead for this team in this season meld together like a crimson tsunami.

Secondary — oof! Offensive line — ouch! Run defense — gulp!

To make the situation more painful, guard James Daniels, the veteran addition to the o-line, lasted only three plays before leaving with a pectoral injury. Storm Duck, who was Miami’s top cornerback through attrition, left on a cart with a leg injury in the second quarter.

Even the Miami pass rush, which was supposed to be a strength, didn’t materialize.

One of Tua Tagovailoa’s worst performances

As for the quarterback play, it was simply one of the worst performances of Tua Tagovailoa’s career, punctuated by two interceptions and a fumble that the Colts turned into 17 points.

It began with the Dolphins’ first three possessions of the season ending in: interception, fumble (by Tua), punt, that led to a 20-0 deficit at the half.

Oh, by the way, Xavien Howard, who used to the Dolphins’ best cornerback, recovered Tua’s fumble to announce his presence in his first game for the Colts.

The Colts, at the intermission, had 255 yards of offense to 43 for Miami. They had a 17-3 advantage in first downs.

Those numbers illustrate that the Dolphins were not competitive on the one day when everyone starts on equal footing.

It didn’t get better for Miami. Tagovailoa threw his second interception of the game on the first possession of the second half and it was promptly 23-0.

Keep in mind, the Colts had not won as opening game since 2013. Their 0-10-1 mark since then was the second-longest drought in openers in NFL history. They haven’t been to the playoffs in four seasons.

Dolphins fans have reason to fear the worst

Understandably, by halftime Dolphins fans were tossing deck chairs off the Titanic. The popular chorus of “Fire everyone!!!” was in full scream mode.

Can’t blame them. They weren’t reacting to one bad half of football, but rather to decades of futility.

Granted, dramatic swings in performance from week to week are common in the league. If you want to give the Dolphins the benefit of the doubt, the next three weeks, against the Patriots, Bills and Jets, will show how they match up in the AFC East. The first two will come in a span of 11 days.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel pointed to a litany of mistakes as the reason for the embarrassing performance at Indy.

“It’s a young team having to learn some very hard lessons,” he said. “It’s all about the ebbs and flows. You can’t overcook a success and you can’t overcook a failure. You have to learn from things.”

He is peddling the notion of a quick fix.

The view from here is that an already suspect roster looked more problematic than expected.

Dolphins pushed around by Colts

What happened to the emphasis on being more physical and winning the battles in the trenches? The Colts mauled the Dolphins and tossed them aside with ease.

A number of Dolphins spent time in the blue injury tent on the sideline, though some did return.

It was a stunning physical mismatch that left few positives to point to from a Dolphins point of view.

What concerned me most was Tagovailoa. Now in his sixth season, we’ve been hearing about a new Tua, in command, more assertive, ready to lead the way to success.

To be sure, this was a different Tua, but not in a good way. I can’t recall him playing so poorly in a game that wasn’t against the Bills or in freezing weather.

This was played in balmy conditions and matched with Daniel Jones, who seemed to channel Peyton Manning in assertiveness and precise execution in his Colts debut.

Tyreek Hill exhibits frustration

Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ passing game was tentative and out of sync all afternoon.

A couple days before the opener, Tua had a message for Dolfans on social media. His post: “Time to show them who I am.”

If this is who he is at this point in his career, the franchise is in worse shape than many fans and media members feared.

While young players are being leaned on at some positions, Tua still has two of the premier receivers in Hill and Jaylen Waddle to work with. The cohesion that would be expected after several years of playing together wasn’t evident.

Tagovailoa appeared uncomfortable in the pocket and his throws were erratic. On the first interception, he sailed the throw five yards past Hill, who was open over the middle.

Hill’s frustration was evident on the sideline during the game and suggested all is still not well between him and Tagovailoa.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, already No. 1 on Dolphins fans’ hit list, recently said that in letting go of some veteran players, the roster was undergoing a “reset” but not a rebuild.

There is more talent on the roster than the 2019 “Tank For Tua” team that started 0-7 and began the rebuilding effort that was supposed to lead the way to sustainable success. That mission has yielded no playoff wins and led the beleaguered franchise back to what looks like another deep rut.

Granted it was only one game, but it already feels like a season in crisis.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Five Takeaways from the Miami Dolphins Embarrassing Week One Loss

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The Miami Dolphins opened the 2025 NFL season with a dud, getting dismantled by the Indianapolis Colts in a performance that left little to feel good about. Almost every unit looked unprepared, and the team failed to execute on the basic keys to victory. Here are five major takeaways:

1. Tua Looked Off from the Start

Tua Tagovailoa never settled into a rhythm. While he was under constant duress, both interceptions came on plays where he had time to throw. Decision-making and ball placement were shaky, leaving fans wondering if this was rust, nerves, or something deeper.

2. The “Revamped” Front Seven Was a No-Show

The Dolphins invested heavily into improving the defensive front, but week one was a reality check. One sack all game, 156 rushing yards allowed, and very little disruption in the backfield. The run fits were sloppy, and the Colts dictated the line of scrimmage from the opening whistle.

3. Secondary Struggles

For a team built around elite corners, this was not the kind of tape they’ll want to watch back. Miscommunication and blown coverages left receivers running open too often, and the Colts took advantage.

  • Storm Duck left the game with an ankle injury and was getting torched early on.

4. Offensive Line Still a Liability

Miami’s offensive line was overmatched again. Three sacks, six quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss highlight just how little push or protection the unit provided. Without improvement here, the offense will never find consistency.

  • James Daniels also only made it three plays before leaving with a pectoral injury.

5. The Keys to Victory Were Ignored

Heading into the matchup, three simple goals were laid out:

  • Start fast and set the tone. (Instead, the Dolphins looked flat early and never recovered.)

  • Contain Jonathan Taylor and make Daniel Jones beat you. (Instead, Taylor gashed them on the ground and Jones played comfortably within the game plan.)

  • Win the turnover battle. (Tua threw two costly interceptions and lost a fumble).

  • The Dolphins didn’t just miss on these keys they flipped them in Indy’s favor

I have long coined this season as the last chance for this regime, in regard to Tua, McDaniel, Grier and others. After losing in week one, the National media, local media, and even the most optimistic of fans all have added ammunition to their low standard takes regarding the Miami Dolphins this season. Next week the Dolphins have their home opener against the 0-1 New England Patriots, if Miami doesn’t figure things out quickly not only will it be a long season, but the last run with this core.

 

Dolphins Embarrassed by Colts in Week One Loss

Can Week One Be Considered a “Must Win” for the Miami Dolphins?

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The Miami Dolphins are looking to return to the NFL playoffs and maybe even end their quarter-century playoff win drought. That is easier said than done, but this year the path is right in front of them if they can stay healthy. Health is a key variable for every NFL team, but it is especially true for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.

On the surface, a 0–1 start is not a death sentence. Many playoff teams stumble out of the gate and find their rhythm later in the season. But with the Dolphins, context matters, and right now the national perception is not on their side.

National Media Predictions

The outlook from major outlets is not encouraging:

  • CBS Sports: 7–10

  • ESPN: 8–9

  • PFF: 9–8

  • Bleacher Report: 7–10

  • USA Today: 5–12

  • Sports Illustrated: 6–11

  • PFSN: 8–9

Most oddsmakers have set the Dolphins’ win total around 7.5 games, signaling doubt about Miami’s ability to navigate the season. The consensus narrative is that health concerns, Tua’s durability, and secondary depth issues make this team fragile.

But the Dolphins are more talented than these projections give them credit for. That is exactly why Week One looms so large.

Why Week One Matters More Than It Should

1. Culture

Winning breeds culture, not the other way around. Every coach in the NFL preaches “culture,” but it only sticks when victories back it up. A Week One loss to the Colts, an opponent many would argue Miami should beat, would hand national critics ammunition and test the Dolphins’ locker room resolve before momentum even has a chance to build. A win, on the other hand, starts the year with confidence and belief, both inside the locker room and in the fan base.

2. Strength of Schedule

Miami does not have the luxury of stumbling. The Dolphins face one of the more diverse schedules in the league, with five games against teams who they have a clear quarterback advantage against (IND, CAR, NO, CLE, ATL).

A slip-up against Indianapolis, however, would mean Miami has to play catch-up all season long. The math is not favorable. To reach 10 wins, which is likely the AFC cutoff, Miami would need to sweep both the Jets and Patriots or grind out victories against teams like Washington, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, the Chargers, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Dropping Week One only increases the pressure to pull off upsets later in the year.

The Stakes

The Dolphins are built to contend, but the narrative around them says otherwise. Media outlets see them as middle-of-the-pack, fragile, and inconsistent. Week One against the Colts is not just about starting 1–0, it is about flipping that script.

A win establishes momentum, validates Mike McDaniel’s program, and gives Tua the confidence he needs to silence critics early. A loss reinforces every doubt that has been cast on this team since the offseason and makes the road to January feel like a mountain climb.

So, is Week One a must-win? Technically, no. Realistically, yes. For the Miami Dolphins, the season does not just begin in Week One, it might be defined by it.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Rhyne Howard drains nine threes, tying the single-game record again, leading the Dream over the Sparks

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The Dream, minus All-Star Allisha Gray (knee), completed their miniseries at home (2-0) against the desperate Sparks, overwhelming them by going to the body and with a surplus of threes. Rhyne Howard and Maya Caldwell made up for most of the latter, shooting them up worse than Scarface at his last stand. The win also gave the hosts home-court advantage through the first round of the playoffs.

 

In combat sports, these types of matchups are called tune-ups because eventually one side will take off like a jet next to a dust cropper. In this case, the Dream pulled away in the second half as if they were in another time zone.

 

Nobody needed to wait long for the fireworks. Howard swished five triples on and off the dribble, plus nailed two freebies in the first quarter. Yet the Sparks were still within striking distance because of Dearica Hamby’s paint pressure, and outside shooting from Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum.

 

The visitors hung around, but Howard added another pair of 3-pointers and dribbled into the lane for two close-range baskets, lifting her output to a career-high of 29 first-half digits.

 

The Dream led 56-52 at halftime. Despite little separation on the scoreboard, one of the differences was Brittney Griner, standing at 6-foot-9, was a mismatch in the lane, too.

 

Then the game plan shifted as Brionna Jones punctured the heart of the defense four times. The problems were that her teammates went cold, and Atlanta’s defense had lost its teeth going back to the first frame.

 

It took Howard almost seven minutes to drain her first second-half triple as she curled around a dribble handoff at the top of the key, extending the lead to 11. That was also Atlanta’s 11th straight point coming out of a timeout halfway into the third. She buried another pull-up trey as 28 seconds were left in the third quarter.

 

The hosts were never in danger of losing their lead in the fourth, and they held LA to 25% shooting. Howard stayed through most of garbage time, too, looking for the 3-point record (10) but finished after 37 minutes.

 

The Dream won 104-85. They also outscored the Sparks by 26 off the bench. It was Howard’s second time logging nine 3-pointers this season, the current record for most made in a game, and her first was on June 13. The other players to share this record are Kelsey Mitchell (Sept. 9, 2019, Jewell Loyd (July 11, 2023) and Arike Ogunbowale (Sept. 1, 2024).