McDaniel has surprising reaction to Tagovailoa interceptions

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Dolphins' Mike McDaniel has surprising reaction to Tua Tagovailoa interceptions

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 9:48 AM ET

The Miami Dolphins showed the type of team they could've been all along in Week 10, dismantling the Buffalo Bills 30-13.

They dominated the Bills for the first time in the Tua Tagovailoa era, ending a nine-game losing streak against them with the Alabama product as the starting quarterback.

Mike McDaniel's offense operated smoothly, and the defense forced turnovers left and right.

Despite the dominant win, Tagovailoa tossed two interceptions. But his coach wasn't upset with the turnovers.

Mike McDaniel wanted Tua Tagovailoa to be more aggressive on third down

Following the win, McDaniel claimed that he was "pumped" to watch that both of Tua's interceptions came on deep shots down the field on third down, an adjustment he urged him to make.

"I was actually really pumped," McDaniel said, per The List. "I told Tua on some third down calls to let it rip down the field, and kind of act as an opportunity ball; act as a punt."

Mike McDaniel says he instructed Tua Tagovailoa to throw the ball deep on third down on both of his picks today:

"I was actually really pumped. I told Tua on some third down calls to let it rip down the field, and kind of act as an opportunity ball; act as a punt"#PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/kcZPScGRII
— The List - Dolphins Podcast (@TheListFinsPod) November 9, 2025

Both of Tagovailoa's interceptions were essentially punts. That hasn't been the case for most of the season.

Granted, being "pumped" after an interception speaks volumes about the current state of the Dolphins. Then again, given how things have fared for them this season, you have to take even the smallest wins.

Tagovailoa finished the game with 15 completions on 21 attempts for 173 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.

The Dolphins rolled with De'Von Achane's explosiveness to expose the Bills' shaky run defense, handing them their third loss of the season.

Technically, there's still time to turn things around for Miami, but Tagovailoa is up to 13 picks this season already.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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