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General Daily Insight for October 20, 2025

Curiosity takes over. With intellectual Mercury conjoining ambitious Mars in investigative Scorpio at 2:52 am EDT, our minds might be caught up in a tide of inquisitive thoughts. We want to know the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and anything less won’t scratch that itch to know! Pay attention to recognize when curiosity turns prying, because everyone deserves their privacy. We can use this cosmic enthusiasm constructively by researching, asking loved ones about their favorite memories, and understanding ourselves on a deeper level.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You’re on a mission for the truth. You may feel as though you’ve been missing out on bits of information, and finally, you’re putting the pieces together by asking people in your life. It may be that you learn revelations about friends you believed to be open books. If it changes how you see them, be kind — whether or not it’s a positive change. This news could also help you solve a long-term problem, so make an effort to keep an open mind.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Connections are growing stronger throughout the day. You may find yourself seeking more information about people that you know, whether you’ve been close with them for some time or they’re recent additions to your life. It’s possible that you’ve been wanting to ask these questions for ages, but weren’t sure how to ask. Pay attention to your conversations, as your curiosity could be satisfied naturally. If the topics come up in random chats, go ahead and ask politely. The priority is being a good listener.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

You’ve got your eye on the prize. You might be working tirelessly toward a goal, to the point that you are consistently sticking to healthy routines and rigorous schedules — though perhaps not doing much else. Contemplate your life balance — do you still have time to spend with loved ones? Be wary of having your life so scheduled that there’s no room for spontaneity. Being too focused on one area can inhibit others, so keep your field of vision open.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Taking certain risks can pay off, but only if they’re calculated. You may presently be more impulsive or prone to making risky decisions that you would typically avoid. It’s imperative to think about what you stand to lose if you rely on risky decisions or choose fun over any urgent responsibilities. The more that you can create a balance of stability and chance (and avoid tipping the scales in favor of taking risk after risk), the better your chances of success are.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Home is the center of your focus at the moment. You’re ready to fix that leak in the garage, change up the decor in the living room, or revamp the bedroom. In addition to your dedication to making your space feel more like you, you’ve got an opportunity to learn about your family history. Think about any more mysterious aspects of your childhood or branches of the family tree. What do you want to know? Go back to your roots and see what’s growing there.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You’re communicating with intention. You want to make sure that you’re getting the full story — there’s no way you’re settling for bits and pieces or half-truths. It may be that someone is trying to avoid telling you everything, and you want to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Even so, you can’t (and shouldn’t) force them to tell you what they don’t want to say. If you can’t accept the lack of information and trust, then it may require a deeper conversation.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

The power of your inner security is growing — and that’s mostly a good thing. No more being afraid to speak your truth or stand up for what you think is right! At this time, you’re standing tall and insisting on being heard. That said, know that you have the risk of overcorrecting and becoming controlling, then preventing others from speaking their truth and being heard. Instead of trying to swap places, see if you can find a way to have equal footing.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You’re presently learning more about yourself. You may be realizing that you no longer like a hobby that you used to love, or maybe you’re intrigued by an unfamiliar pursuit that never crossed your mind before. It can be strange when you feel the winds of change coming for you, and bringing the scent of a new direction to take in life. Still, at least consider following that call. There’s a new side of yourself to explore — don’t ignore it!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You’re in need of some time to yourself. You may have been everything for everyone recently, striving to please others and show up for the people who care about you. Those magnanimous efforts could be leaving you drained as they yank you in so many different directions. Honor your body when it’s telling you to rest, because otherwise, you’ll only be dragging yourself through life half-asleep. Vitality is vital, after all. You owe it to yourself to be wide-eyed and ready for life.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

You might be surrounded by all sorts of people who need your input. This can be positive on one hand, because you’ll probably be able to make a connection and network with tons of peers and authorities. On the other, you may be answering question after question, struggling to keep up with everyone while their focus is on you. It might feel like you’re juggling conversations left and right, but you’ll likely be glad that you did. Stay on your toes!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You’re looking deeper into your career. It might be that you’re currently questioning what you’re achieving at your current place of work, when you’ll be able to connect with co-workers, or how you can improve your skills within your career. This is the right place and time to map out those plans. Focus on actionable steps to achieve them in your daily routine — that’s how you’ll actually make that progress. Take that initiative and show them what you’re made of.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You’re moving on in the best way. There may have been a challenging obstacle that was previously holding you back from the future that you truly desired, but no longer! You are capable of finding a way to break from the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, or any roadblock that kept you from going after what you wanted. It’s time for you to break free from past worries that slowed you down and impeded your destiny. There’s no time to waste!

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, served as the backup to starter Tua Tagovailoa in Sunday’s 31-6 massacre at Cleveland, supplanting veteran Zach Wilson. That begs one question: How in the heck did the Dolphins miss on the backup quarterback situation yet again?! 

This is two years in a row, and three years in a four-year stretch that the Dolphins have major questions at backup quarterback. It’s absolutely ridiculous for the Dolphins to miss so badly at such a crucial position. It’s NFL malpractice.

And let’s be clear on something: this isn’t a rip job on Ewers (5 of 8, 53 yards, 81.8 passer rating vs. Cleveland) or Wilson, the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft by the New York Jets. Wilson (5 of 8, 32 yards, 70.7 passer rating for the season) was the original backup quarterback, the man who was the “direct, calculated” offseason target by general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel. The players are OK in my book.

This is a rip job on Grier and McDaniel.

They’ve wet the bed once again when it comes to the backup quarterback. It’s yet another reason I think neither should have their current job next year.

Adding more confusion to the situation is this: McDaniel said the change to Ewers as the No. 2 quarterback was game specific. We don’t know who will be the backup quarterback next week when the woeful Dolphins (1-6) visit Atlanta. If Tua (13 of 23, 100 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions, 24.1 passer rating) has a bad outing against the Falcons we don’t yet know who gets tapped on the shoulder. If Tua (11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 82.8 passer rating for the season) has a rough game, it’s unknown right now whether Wilson or Ewers would be the No. 2 quarterback.

What the heck is going on here? Are the Dolphins now picking their backup quarterback on a game-by-game basis?

The Grier-McDaniel duo is showing poor evaluation skills. Again.

Related Articles

• Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
• Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
• Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
• Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
• Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns

In 2022, the Grier-McDaniel duo thought they had a good backup quarterback in veteran Teddy Bridgewater, and I agreed, but he couldn’t stay healthy.  He ended up alternating with Skylar Thompson after Tua got concussed twice. Both Bridgewater and Thompson sustained injuries that year. Neither was effective.

In 2023, the Dolphins had Mike White and Thompson as backups. White was the No. 2 quarterback. But Tua started all 17 games so it wasn’t a big deal.

You’ll recall the 2024 offseason when they had this huge offseason competition for No. 2 quarterback between White and Thompson. And then it turned out neither was equipped to be a No. 2 quarterback. They cut White, and Thompson failed miserably in his Week 3 start at Seattle.

Later in 2024, after Thompson washed out, the Dolphins used a rotation of backup quarterbacks that included Tim Boyle and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, and at one point they signed C.J. Beathard (practice squad only). That, too, was a mess of a backup quarterback situation.

Now, here we are again. Some thought Ewers should have been the No. 2 quarterback coming out of training camp.

The Ewers midweek promotion is yet another indictment on this Grier-McDaniel administration, and yet another reason that this troubled era is in danger of crossing the border from mediocrity to failure.

Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO

Before this rip job of Grier and McDaniel continues, credit Ewers for battling and being named No. 2, at least for the Cleveland game. And credit Wilson for keeping the switch quiet and not dropping hints via social media or during an informal midweek chat (I briefly checked in with Wilson on Thursday on a different topic).

And, I guess, credit the Dolphins for recognizing they needed to make a change instead of allowing stubborn pride to deny what must have been obvious.

We all know backup quarterback is an important position for this franchise. It’s commendable they made that switch. But it’s also unacceptable that they have such indecision.

It was bad enough that the Grier-McDaniel duo, led by McDaniel, complicated the starting quarterback position by giving Tua that ill-advised four-year, $212 million extension in 2024.

Now, the Grier-McDaniel brain trust has apparently decided that they don’t have the next successful first-round reclamation quarterback in the spirit of Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield or Seattle’s Sam Darnold.

The sad thing is Grier and McDaniel could have helped the team more by using some of that $6 million they gave to Wilson and perhaps given it to a starting cornerback or defensive tackle.

Upheaval and uncertainty have become the norm for the Dolphins at backup quarterback. It’s yet another reason to wonder what the heck is going on with the Dolphins and wonder how much longer the disorder will continue.

CLEVELAND — There goes Steve Ross, at 85, walking glumly down the concrete stadium hallway Sunday, surrounded by a team of executive suits on their way out of Cleveland. He says something, head down, hands in coat pockets, to team president Tom Garfinkel.

Down the hall, way down, comes some laughter closer to the Browns locker room. There is nothing close to laughter from the Miami Dolphins owner or his entourage.

They’ve just left a locker room full of frustration, and a coach without answers, and a quarterback who again threw too many passes to the other team, which was a bad Cleveland team this Sunday.

The Dolphins were just the worse team. Inexcusably worse. So, there is no getting around it anymore. The players and the coach can talk about holding it together for another week. But Ross, who has walked down these kinds of stadium hallways in too many bad seasons, has just one question left after his Dolphins were run off the field, 31-6.

Does he fire everyone now or fire everyone later?

It’s the question that started 12 days into the season when his team already was 0-3. Now it’s 1-6. Now the issue becomes what the owner wants to accomplish the rest of this season, if indeed there’s anything to be accomplished at all.

Maybe all you can do at this point is close your eyes and hope the season is over when you open them. Because it wasn’t just tha thet Dolphins lost badly to a previously 1-5 Cleveland, but how badly they looked doing so.

The quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, threw three interceptions, gift-wrapping two Cleveland touchdowns. The good news: He talked properly after the game as opposed to last Sunday when he talked of players being late to meetings.

Related Articles

• Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
• Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
• Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
• Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
• Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns

“It starts with me,” he said. “Can’t turn the ball over.”

The coach, Mike McDaniel, saw an embarrassment of errors beyond just those interceptions. Critical penalties that led to each of Cleveland’s three, first-half scores. Fundamental errors like a kickoff-return fumble.

“We probably have 20 plays that are self-inflicted wounds,” McDaniel said. “You can’t even get onto beating the opponent if you beat yourself, so that’s where it is.”

The Dolphins even had to burn their weekly time-out for not having the proper number of players on the field, coming up one short this time on defense near the end of the half. That’s because coaches waved edge rusher Chop Robinson to come out, leaving them with 10 players. Oops.

The offense could have used that time-out a few minutes later when it had to settle for a field goal before half to cut Cleveland’s lead to 17-6. It was still a game. Somehow. And then Tua threw a bad interception that was returned for a touchdown on the first play of the second half and it was 24-6 and not a game.

Sweep it all into one, big manure pile and it’s as bad a loss as the Dolphins have suffered in years. Certainly the worst of McDaniel’s four years. You can go back through the Brian Flores years, too, considering he was supposed to lose in his bad losses (his sin was not losing enough).

So, it’s just a question of when Ross decides to pull the plug on this regime, not whether he does. There’s no need to be nasty about any of it. McDaniel and General manager Chris Grier tried as best they could.

Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO

It’s just closing time for them. That’s so obvious it hardly needs to be said. This looked like a team where the mortar was coming loose and bricks cracking on Sunday.

“You saw a lot of frustrated players,” McDaniel said. “You know, from the season, we can’t allow it to seep into our play and keep us from executing.”

So, would you really fire McDaniel today? Think about it. The Dolphins have an utterly terrible matchup against the top-ranked rushing team and No. 1 defense next Sunday in Atlanta.

Would that be fair to ask the interim coach to step into that?

And who is the interim coach? Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was the early candidate. But he’s as likely to be fired right now himself considering this defense is the prime problem of this season.

You’d like to wait for the bye week to fire a coach, but that’s another month away. If you wait that long, do you just wait out the season? Can you? And, again, what do you want to accomplish with 10 games left?

Besides opening your eyes and seeing this year gone.

Ross walked down the hall on his way out of Cleveland. But the questions went with him, too. The question, really.

When? Not if.

Like everything else this season, there’s not an easy answer for that, either.

CLEVELAND — As it only feels more and more likely a move could be made on Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel after he fell to 1-6 with an embarrassing 31-6 loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns, players in the locker room still say they back him.

“I think we all believe in him as coach, and we have to execute as players,” left tackle Patrick Paul said in the visitors’ locker room at Huntington Bank Field after the jarring outcome Sunday.

The question comes into focus as the Dolphins only grow more undisciplined with four turnovers and 10 penalties for 98 yards Sunday to aid the Browns to 31 points despite only gaining 206 yards.

There is no coach that allows that to be acceptable. But are players remaining receptive to the voice of McDaniel?

“Absolutely. We’re not going to stop listening to our coaches because we’re 1-6,” cornerback Jack Jones said. “It’s a pecking order and it trickles down. We’re going to listen to our coaches, and the coaches are going to listen to whoever’s above them.

“We’re not going to come in the building and disrespect anybody. We’re going to come in the building and actually work harder because we want to win. It’s not like we’re happy with losing.”

Added outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips: “We’re not turning against him. We’re not turning against each other.”

What is the messaging players need to hear this week after what is a new low for the team under McDaniel?

Related Articles

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• Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
• Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
• Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
• Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns

“It’s hard truths,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “They’re hard to hear, but you got to hear them. They’re said. They’re listened to. They’re heard. And you need to apply them. At the end of the day, that’s accountability and that’s growth and that’s character. We need to get better fast.”

The Dolphins travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons next week.

“We’ll see this week, with the response,” Paul said.

Said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who had three costly interceptions Sunday: “We just got to stick together. That’s how we move forward from this.”

As for McDaniel, answering about his job security after the demoralizing defeat, he said: “The way I look at this job is I find it very offensive to all parties involved if I’m thinking about having the job. I need to be doing my job.

“For as long as I coach for the Miami Dolphins and this organization, they’ll get everything from me, and I refuse to spend my time thinking about something that — you have a job, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability.”

Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO

In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones and Dave Hyde discuss a disappointing performance for Miami (1-6), which loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns (2-5). At this point, it seems the question isn’t if Mike McDaniel will be fired but when it will happen.

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Windermere cornerback CJ Bronaugh, the state-champion sprinter who committed to the Florida Gators football program on June 18, said Sunday he wasn’t necessarily surprised by the school’s decision to fire head coach Billy Napier.

“I’m shocked, but a lot of people saw it coming,” Bronaugh said, “but I’m still a Gator at the end of the day.”

Bronaugh (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) is in the middle of his senior football season at Orange County Public Schools Independent powerhouse Windermere, where the Wolverines are 7-0 and on a 17-game winning streak. Not eligible for the FHSAA playoffs, it remains unclear if the Independent teams are eligible for the FHSAA’s inaugural invitational tournament at the end of the season.

Windermere speedster CJ Bronaugh gives Gators first top-100 commitment in ’26 class

He said no one from UF had yet reached out about Napier’s firing, but other schools were already in his ear. Michigan coaches were the first to contact him and he can be assured there will be plenty more. But he remains committed to his original intentions.

Windermere senior cornerback CJ Bronaugh, who is also a state-champion sprinter, said Florida's firing of football coach Billy Napier on Sunday will not change his decision to sign with UF in December. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Bronaugh had nothing but positive remarks about Napier, who was 22-23 in 3 1/2 seasons at UF.

“He was an amazing person. I had a good relationship with him. He was always talking positive about everything,” Bronaugh said.

The senior speedster has enjoyed an amazing high school career. On the track, he has dominated the state sprint scene for the past two years, winning the 100 meters twice and the 200 meters once. He was part of the winning 4×100 relay team at the state championships and won three gold medals in May.

On the football field, Bronaugh has 47 tackles, 7 interceptions and two sacks over the past two seasons and is one of the captains on a team that has not lost a game since Nov. 3, 2023.

He remains focused, taking the example of what his head coach Riki Smith has preached to the team all along, Bronaugh said:

“I’d say it kinda shows me and all the guys that we gotta stay locked in and take it week by week being 1-0, so we can end the season how we wanna end it,” he said. “It feels great, honestly.  I’m just really grateful for my coaches, players and everyone that has been there for me.”

Despite his success on the track, Bronaugh decided in May that he was hanging up his track spikes and concentrating on football, so he intends to  enroll at UF in January with football his sole focus. He said it wasn’t a difficult decision to pass on his senior track season.

“Not really; I knew I wanted to go early,” Bronaugh said. “I wasn’t worried about track at all.”

Windermere has a big game on Friday night as the Wolverines will play host to another undefeated Independent team, Innovation (8-0), a school that just opened last year. The game will be for the championship of the Orange County Independent Division.

The Gators currently have 19 players committed to the 2026 recruiting class, and no one immediately decommitted in the wake of Napier’s firing.

Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.

 

 

 

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel entered Sunday’s game at Cleveland with a 2-0 record against the Browns, defeating them in 2022 and 2024. After an embarrassing 31-6 loss, McDaniel left Cleveland with a 2-1 record vs. them, and now questions get louder about how long he’ll remain Dolphins coach.

The Dolphins (1-6), reeling from a week-long controversy created by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a season-long fatigue created by poor play, gave a regrettable effort during a sometimes rainy game at Cleveland.

The Dolphins looked awful. Their largely dink-and-dunk offense was hampered by dropped passes, the defense was haunted by numerous errors, special teams committed a turnover, and penalties (11 penalties, 103 yards) were constant. Oh, and tight end Darren Waller had no targets before leaving with a pectoral injury in the second quarter. This was ugly, and it’s yet another indication the era of general manager Chris Grier, McDaniel and Tagovailoa might be coming to an end.

Here’s what we learned:

McDaniel is now a .500 coach . . . or worse

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel saw his regular-season record fall to 29-29 (.500), and his overall record fall to 29-31 (.483), including his 0-2 record in the playoffs.

As a reminder, in the regular season Brian Flores was 24-25 (.490), Adam Gase was 23-25 (.479), Joe Philbin was 24-28 (.462) and Tony Sparano was 29-32 (.475). By season’s end, McDaniel could have a worse winning percentage than all but Philbin.

It’s generally accepted that McDaniel and Grier had more talent than all of the aforementioned coaches, and have had the best talent the Dolphins have amassed in two decades. Grier and McDaniel get credit for gathering the talent. But it could be argued the teams in the Grier-McDaniel era have underachieved and disappointed considering they’ve gone 1-7 vs. Buffalo, losing the past seven consecutive, and haven’t won a playoff game.

McDaniel entered the season 4-16 (.200) vs. playoff teams. McDaniel has gone 11-19 (.367) in his past 30 games, starting with that 28-27 Tennessee home loss in 2023, a time when the Dolphins had a 9-3 season record. — Chris Perkins

Related Articles

• Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
• Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
• Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
• Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
• Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns

Grier is a below-.500 GM

Grier, who became full-time general manager in 2019 after taking over the draft in 2016, saw his regular-season record record fall to 53-54 (.495) after Sunday’s loss. Grier is also 0-2 in the playoffs, giving him an overall record of 53-56 (.486). Grier’s last stand might be drafting disappointing players this year — defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick — and failing to shore up key areas such as offensive line and the secondary. It’s unclear if Grier will be in his current post nest season. If the Dolphins make a move midseason, a rarity in the NFL, perhaps assistant general manager Marvin Allen would take over.

Interim coach options

The Dolphins have a few options for an interim head coach on their staff, if it comes to that. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has had a few head coach interviews around the league, but his unit has been pathetic this season. Still, players respect his voice and status as a former NFL player.  Offensive coordinator Frank Smith has also interviewed for a head coach job but his unit’s performance hasn’t been storing this year, either.

Running backs coach Eric Studesville, the Dolphins’ associate head coach, was interim coach for Denver in 2010. Quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell was an interim coach for Detroit in 2020 and Jacksonville in 2021. Tight ends coach Jon Embree is the assistant head coach and was head coach at Colorado (2011-12).

Tua tanks . . . Ewers enters

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was a focal point last week for saying teammates either didn’t attend player-led meetings or skipped them, was terrible Sunday. Tagovailoa had his second consecutive three-interception game, finishing 12 for 23 for 100 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 24.1 passer rating.

Tagovailoa now has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the season.

Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, entered the game in the fourth quarter. His first pass was almost interceptted by cornerback Myles Harden. Ewers ended 5 of 8 for 53 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and an 81.8 passer rating.

Run defense

Cleveland ended with 104 yards rushing on 33 carries, becoming the seventh consecutive team to rush for at least 100 yards against the Dolphins. The Dolphins, who entered as the league’s worst rushing defense at 168.5 yards per game, gave up 92 yards on 23 carries in the first half. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (25 carries, 84 yards) had 18 carries for 75 yards at halftime. 

The Dolphins showed some eight-man fronts early with safety Ashtyn Davis as the deep safety and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick down in the box as the eighth defender.

Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks entered the game with a league-leading 66 tackles, but 29 (44 percent) came on gains of eight or more yards.

Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO

Defensive blunders lead to 10-3 deficit

Cleveland took a 10-3 lead largely on defensive miscues. The Browns went up, 3-0, in their first-quarter drive in which the Dolphins had an illegal contact penalty by cornerback Rasul Douglas that gave the Browns a first down on a third-and-14 incomplete pass, saw Douglas have a potential interception go through his hands and turn into a 16-yard completion by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and had a roughing the quarterback penalty against defensive tackle Zach Sieler give Cleveland  first down on a second and six incomplete pass.

The Browns went up, 10-3, in the second quarter after Fitzpatrick was called for pass interference, negating a potential interception by fellow Davis. That was one play before Judkins’ 46-yard touchdown run.

More blunders lead to 17-3 deficit

The Browns went ahead, 17-3, thanks to more Dolphins blunders. Kickoff returner Dee Eskridge lost a fumble in the second quarter, giving the Browns the ball at the Dolphins’ 46-yard line. They scored 10 plays later, aided by a roughing the passer penalty against outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips. The penalty came on a five-yard gain on second-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 35-yard line. At that point the Dolphins had five penalties for 59 yards. 

It should be noted that cornerback Jack Jones missed a tackle on Judkins’ three-yard touchdown run. 

Yet another blunder leads to 24-6 deficit

Yet another blunder gave Cleveland a 24-6 lead as American Heritage grad Tyson Campbell 34-yard interception return touchdown on the first play from scrimmage when running back De’Von Achane (82 yards rushing, 16 yards receiving) had a high pass from Tagovailoa glance off his hands. 

Offensive offseason gets worse

The Dolphins’ offseason offensive additions have been appalling. Sunday brought the surprising news that Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, has supplanted veteran Zach Wilson, a “direct, calculated” target by Grier and McDaniel, as backup quarterback. Wilson was regarded as a major find for a team that’s struggled to acquire a backup behind Tagovailoa. 

Among other offseason offensive moves: right guard James Daniels, who was awarded a three-year, $24 million contract, the richest for the team this offseason, lasted just three plays before a pectoral injury sidelined him; Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, has been among the league’s worst at his position, according to ratings by Pro Football Focus; running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is out for the season; wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine hasn’t been a factor; tight end Pharoah Brown didn’t make the 53-man roster; rookie running back Ollie Gordon II, the sixth-round pick, hasn’t been a factor; right tackle Larry Borom has been solid as a backup fill-in starter; Waller has exceeded expectations; senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik’s contribution is tough to gauge.

Waller shut down again . . . and injured

Waller wasn’t targeted through the first two quarters, showing again he can be shut down for long stretches. Part of the reason for the shutdown was that Waller left the game in the second quarter with a pectoral injury.

Waller had two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had one target — a seven-yard touchdown reception — in the second half, meaning he was essentially shutdown for the second half. He played 41 snaps.

Two weeks ago in a 29-27 loss at Carolina, Waller had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, all coming in the first half, meaning he was shutdown for the second half. He played 32 snaps. 

Three weeks ago in his debut, Waller had three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns in 16 snaps. He had two receptions for 18 yards and one touchdown in the first half.

Big play surfaces briefly

Achane had a 46-yard run in the first quarter, the third consecutive game with a play of 40 or more yards and an indication the big play could be back for an extended appearance.

Achane had a 49-yard run last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, and two weeks ago at Carolina wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a 46-yard touchdown reception and Waller had a 34-yard reception. 

Prior to Carolina, the Dolphins’ offense had one play of 30 or more yards, a 47-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill at Buffalo.

Tagovailoa tacked on to his loose-ball-security reality

With two fumbles and three interceptions (including a pick-six) on Sunday, that gave Tua Tagovailoa five fumbles (only one lost) and four interceptions (one a pick-six) and two net offensive points in his two games in rain (also, the 2022 34-3 drubbing at Tennessee). In the macro, it piled onto the data built after his second diagnosed concussion in 2022 against the Packers. Before his head slamming into the grass in that game, Tagovailoa had a combination of 20 interceptions and 16 fumbles in those 36 games, with only five of the mishandles unforced. But, then came the deluge after that fall against Green Bay. And in the 36 games since that trauma, Tagovailoa has piled up 25 fumbles, with a whopping 18 unforced, and 35 picks. — Steve Svekis

De’Von Achane shouldn’t be going anywhere

Listen, I am one of the charter members of the do-not-draft-a-running-back-in-the-first-round club. One who believes that, MOSTLY, they are interchangeable assets. However, I jump off that bandwagon, breaking both ankles, when it comes to De’Von Achane. It is the rarest of commodities, someone who can take a pass or handoff behind the line of scrimmage and roast a defense for huge yardage.

Through the first quarter in Cleveland which included No. 28 ripping off a 46-yard jaunt down the left sideline — aided by a phenomenal second-level block by beleaguered rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea, Achane had authored 10 runs or catches of at least 40 yards in a mere 519 touches. Think of any current NFL star back (Jahmyr Gibbs? Saquon Barkley? Jonathan Taylor? Derrick Henry? Bijan Robinson? Christian McCaffrey?) … none of them has the incredible frequency of a mere 51.9 runs/receptions per 40-yard play, with Barkley’s 61.9 touches per the closest rate.

And, it isn’t just that flash and sizzle. Achane also succeeds on huge plays in the nitty-gritty. The Dolphins absolutely should have been shut out in Indianapolis to open the season, but, down 30-0 on a fourth-and-goal from the 11, the Dolphins play-callers were apparently at wit’s end and had Tagovailoa dump a pass to Achane almost 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Achane broke three tackles to allow Miami to avoid the ignominy of a season-starting goose egg. Then, at Carolina a couple weeks ago on a third-and-goal from the 10 and Miami up 3-0, Tagovailoa lobbed a pass to the right side of the end zone and the phenom elevated over Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace and stunningly deadened his feet for a toe-tap TD that any All-Pro wideout would be proud of. Short of a stunning offer of, like, a first- and a second-round pick, Achane can’t go anywhere.

A brutal Dolphins flag-fest early set the tone

In the first third of the game (20:36), the Dolphins greased the skids for the Browns to grab their early 17-3 lead with five penalties for 59 yards, and also had a 5-yard offsides penalty declined by Cleveland. And, none of those penalties were against the offense.

Meanwhile, the pluses and, lesser pluses, of Waddle

Jaylen Waddle entered the Browns quagmire with a reception of at least 45 yards in each of his past three games with Mike McDaniel as coach, Tagovailoa as quarterback and Tyreek Hill not suited up. One interesting aspect of his game that is less impressive has been his percentage of snaps. In is 68 games heading into Week 7, Waddle had played in 3,372 snaps, which equates to 49.6 snaps a game and 73.9% of the offense’s plays since the 2021 season opener. By comparison, his former Alabama teammate at wide receiver who was also picked in the top 10 of the 2021 draft, the Eagles’ DeVonta Smith has piled up 4,175 snaps in his 69 pre-Week 7 games (60.5 snaps a game), 87.4 of the Eagles’ plays.

Dueling jaunts not seen in a Dolphins game in seven years

The last time a Dolphins game featured a run by a back on each team that went for at least 46 yards, the exact number of yardage picked up by Achane and Quinshon Judkins for their long runs in Cleveland on Sunday, was on Oct. 21, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium when the Dolphins’ Kenyan Drake ripped off a 54-yard touchdown and the Detroit Lions’ Kerryon Johnson roared for 71 yards, from his 9 to the Miami 20.

What was Jaelan Phillips seeing out there?

A case can be made the game was over, with Cleveland up 24-6 in the third quarter, but still … Browns tight end Blake Whiteheart, on a third-down play, fumbled the ball before covering up. He could have still gotten up and gained the first down. However, it appeared that Jaelan Phillips, perhaps assuming the ball would be ruled an incomplete pass, tried to avoid making contact with Whiteheart. Phillips clipped him with his lower leg, ending the play and bringing up a punt, but it wasn’t intentional.

Why do the Dolphins continue to throw long-distance laterals?

The Dolphins, with more frequency than most teams, swing tosses wide to players such as Achane and Hill that are technically laterals. Makes no sense. Making that a live ball adds a wholly unnecessary layer of danger onto the play.

Challenges have been a nagging challenge for Mike McDaniel

Among the areas where Mike McDaniel has lagged behind his peers under the headset has been in the implementation of challenge video-review system. He has a weak 20% overturn rate, hitting on 4 of 20 red flags. How have past Dolphins coaches done? Brian Flores had a 42.1% hit rate (9 of 21), as did his predecessor, Adam Gase. In his 12-game interim stint in 2015, Dan Campbell was 3 for 3. From 2012-15, Joe Philbin was 10 for 21 (.476), including 9 for his final 17. Todd Bowles’ 2011 season-closing three game stint as interim coach involved no challenges, while Tony Sparano went from 2008-11 with excellent results, converting 8 of 15 (53.3%). In his doomed 2007, Cam Cameron hit on half of his four flag tosses. In his two seasons, Nick Saban only was right a third of the time (4 of 12). In replacing Dave Wannstedt in 2004, Jim Bates hit on 2 of 3. Wannstedt was 11 of 33 (33.3%), and, in the system’s first year of usage in 1999, Jimmy Johnson was 2 of 7 (28.6). Here is a listing of the NFL’s current coaches, in order of success percentage:

Brian Daboll, Giants (4th): 13 of 18 (72.2%), 4 of 5 this year;

Shane Steichen, Colts (3rd): 6 of 10 (60.0%), 3 of 4 this year;

Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals (3rd): 3 of 5 (60.0%), none this year;

Kevin O’Connell, Vikings (4th): 13 of 22 (59.1%), 1 of 1 this year;

Nick Sirianni, Eagles (5th): 10 of 18 (55.6%), 0 of 2 this year;

Kyle Shanahan, 49ers (9th): 24 of 45 (53.3%), 1 of 2 this year;

Mike Vrabel, Patriots (7th): 16 of 30 (53.3%), 2 of 4 this year;

Andy Reid, Chiefs (27th): 74 of 148 (50.0%), 1 of 1 this year;

Kevin Stefanski, Browns (6th): 10 of 20 (50.0%), 1 of 1 this year;

Mike McCoy, Titans (5th): 7 of 14 (50.0%), none this year;

Liam Coen, Jaguars (1st): 1 of 2 (50.0%), 1 of 2 this year;

Dave Canales, Panthers (2nd): 1 of 2 (50.0%), none this year;

Sean McVay, Rams (9th): 19 of 40 (47.5%), 1 of 2 this year;

Bowles, Buccaneers (9th): 13 of 28 (46.4%), none this year;

Pete Carroll, Raiders (19th): 53 of 118 (44.9%), 0 of 1 this year;

Zac Taylor, Bengals (7th): 18 of 41 (43.9%), 2 of 2 this year;

Sean Payton, Broncos (18th): 63 of 144 (43.8%), 2 of 3 this year;

Matt LaFleur, Packers (7th): 20 of 46 (43.5%), 2 of 3 this year;

Campbell, Lions (6th): 9 of 21 (42.9%); 0 of 1 this year;

Mike Tomlin, Steelers (19th): 41 of 96 (42.7%), none this year;

John Harbaugh, Ravens (18th): 55 of 131 (42.0%), none this year;

Dan Quinn, Commanders (8th): 13 of 31 (41.9%), 1 of 3 this year;

Raheem Morris, Falcons (6th): 15 of 37 (40.5%); 3 of 4 this year;

Jim Harbaugh. Chargers (6th): 13 of 39 (33.3%), 1 of 1 this year;

Sean McDermott, Bills (9th NFL season): 11 of 38 overturned (28.9%), 0 of 0 this year;

DeMeco Ryans, Texans (3rd): 2 of 7 (28.6%), none this year;

Mike McDaniel, Dolphins (4th): 4 of 20 (20.0%), 0 of 1 this year;

Aaron Glenn, Jets (1st): None;

Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys (1st): None;

Ben Johnson, Bears (1st); 0 of 1 (0.0%), 0 of 1 this year;

Mike Macdonald, Seahawks (2nd): 0 of 1 (0.0%), none this year;

Kellen Moore, Saints (1st): 0 of 1 (0.0%), 0 of 1 this year.

On deck: Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, 1 p.m.

As mentioned before in this space, the Dolphins close out an unlucky bit of first-half scheduling, with their game against the Falcons being inside of their dome. Like with the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte and the Browns in Cleveland, the Falcons have been a superior-performing unit under the circumstances where they will face the Dolphins, in this case being indoors. Atlanta enters the Dolphins matchup 3-1 in a dome, with its offense averaging 25.0 points and 390.5 yards a game with only two turnovers. Meanwhile, the Falcons defense in its four indoor games has allowed only 260.8 yards a game and gotten opponents to spit up seven turnovers.

CLEVELAND — Remember when Mike McDaniel said it couldn’t get worse a while back?

It got worse Sunday in a 31-6 loss to the previously 1-5 Cleveland Browns.

The Dolphins fell to 1-6 in a season that sunk a little more. Here are 10 thoughts on the dismal day:

1.Play of the Game: On the first play of the second half, Tua Tagovailoa threw high toward the sideline to De’Von Achane, who had it tick off his hands and Cleveland’s Tyson Campbell intercepted it, managed to stay inbounds and ran 34 yards for a touchdown. Twelves seconds into the half, whatever thoughts the Dolphins had of regrouping at the intermission were gone and Cleveland led, 24-6.

2. Stat of the Day: Cleveland ended a streak of scoring 17 points or fewer in 11 straight games. That wasn’t all on the defense. It was a shared disappointment with an offense. But if there was ever a day for the Dolphins defense to get healthy, here it was. Cleveland entered Sunday last in the league at 13.7 points a game and had a third-round rookie in quarterback Dillon Gabriel (13-18, 116 yards). When Cleveland took a 17-3 second-quarter lead that represented its biggest lead all season. It wasn’t the defense’s fault for the 31-point total considering …

3. … Tua couldn’t lift this offense and gift-wrapped two touchdowns to Cleveland. Or maybe this offense couldn’t be lifted against the third-ranked defense. The weather wasn’t a factor. The first-half rain stopped, the winds expected to be strong never really were — but Tagovailoa had three interceptions before being sat down in the fourth quarter after completing 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards. He was lucky not to have a second pick-6 in the fourth quarter when he was under pressure in his end zone and threw right to safety Rayshawn Jenkins at the 11-yard line. Jenkins returned it to the 2. A play later Cleveland led 31-6.  It wasn’t just Tua. Jaylen Waddle had one catch for 15 yards. De’Von Achane did everything he could with 11 carries for 80 yards and three catches for 16 yards. Tight end Darren Waller left the game in the first half with a pectoral injury and (weekly reminder) Tyreek Hill is lost for the year. The Dolphins ran 19 times for a respectable 95 yards (mainly Achane) when Tua left the game. But this offense looked lost Sunday as it going 1 of 12 on third-down conversions shows.

4. The Dolphins defense didn’t plug the run-defense holes. Two weeks ago it was Carolina’s backup, Rico Dowdle, running for 206 yards against the Dolphins. Last week it was the Los Angeles Chargers’ Kimani Vidal running for 124 yards with the fourth and fifth offensive tackles. Cleveland rookie Quinshon Jenkins running 25 times for 84 yards doesn’t tell the full story. He had 10 carries for 70 yards as Cleveland opened up its lead. Cleveland’s offense is 27th overall and 28th in running the ball, too, and it was without both starting tackles. Cleveland’s interior is healthy, though, and Judkins ran 46 yards right up the gut to put the Brown up 10-3 in the second quarter.

5. On the good-news front (every day needs some): Left tackle Patrick Paul passed a big test on his good progression this year to showing he can be very good. Myles Garrett was kept as quiet as possible this day. Garrett is a six-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. He wasn’t credited with a tackle in the first half. He had a sack early in the third quarter, but that was on a defensive twist where he beat guard Cole Strange.

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• Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns

6. On all three Browns scoring drives of the first half, the Dolphins committed significant penalties. That folds into a day where the Dolphins had 10 penalties for 98 yards to the Browns’ five penalties for 37 yards. Here’s the breakdown of the defensive penalties on Browns’ scoring drives:

*3-0: Browns ‘ 57-yard drive aided by 1) an illegal contact penalty that turned fourth down into first down and 2) a Zach Sieler roughing the passer penalty.

*10-3: Browns’ five-play, 83-yard drive was kept alive by a marginal pass-interference call on Minkah Fitzpatrick that negated an Ashtyn Davis interception. On the next play, Judkins ran for his 46-yard touchdown.

*17-3: Browns’ 10-play, 46-yard drive that began thanks to Dee Eskridge’s kickoff-return fumble got its biggest gain on a 15-yard penalty on Jaelan Phillips for unnecessary roughness. Instead of facing third-and-5 from the Dolphins 35, the penalty gave a first down.

7. Don’t overlook the pre-game news: The simple read of Quinn Ewers being promoted to the backup quarterback over Zach Wilson for Sunday’s game is McDaniel thought Ewers gave them a better chance to win if needed. This isn’t a small decision for any team, putting a rookie seventh-round pick over a veteran free agent who was considered a good fit to rehab his game in this offense. It’s a bigger decision on the Dolphins with Tua’s injury history. It also carries some practice-week protocol as the third-stringer typically runs the scout team and the second-stringer gets limited practice reps.

9. Quick Hits:

*Jordyn Brooks had nine tackles and Tyrel Dodson eight to continue the story of Dolphins linebackers having good numbers without big impact.

*New England remains in first place in the AFC East after beating Tennessee.

*Streak alert: For the second straight week, the team that won the pregame coin toss elected to receive. It was the Dolphins last week, the Browns this week.

*Sunday was the first matchup of left-handed quarterbacks since Atlanta’s Michael Vick and Tampa Bay’s Chris Simms in 2006.

10. Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta plays at San Francisco on Sunday night and looks like a team that’s found some good answers this year.  Those answers pose some problems in this matchup. Atlanta has the league’s top running game at 151.2 yards a game. Bijan Robinson is tied for the league lead at 5.8 yards a rush with Carolina’s Rico Dowdle (remember him running for 206 yards on the Dolphins?) Atlanta’s defense also leads the league in allowing 253.4 yards a game and is seventh in giving up 20 points a game.

Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO

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