Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa have major disagreement after Dolphins' loss

"We knew we had to not turn the ball over," McDaniel said. "And we knew we had to try to get at least plus, or at least even with them in the takeaway department. And we had to play good football, make some plays. And we had a turnover in a critical situation."

Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa are not on the same page

McDaniel didn't completely blame Tagovailoa for the interception, saying the quarterback had a lot on his plate. However, he thought Tagovailoa should have hit his checkdown in the flat instead of forcing a throw that ended up in the hands of linebacker Terrel Bernard.

"I think the quarterback has to be responsible for it however," McDaniel said of the interception. I wish I could just put it on him, but I think it's a tough job to do when there's someone in your face. We need, everybody needs to do better... If you're you got to ditch the ball to the flat in moments like that, and that's what we have to learn from."

If he had it to do over again, Tagovailoa wouldn't hit his checkdown option on the first-down throw. The quarterback told reporters that he felt the defender made an outstanding play.

“I thought I was in rhythm, in timing of the play, seeing the flat defender go over the top of Jaylen [Waddle], Jaylen’s turning around,” Tagovailoa said. “That was a really good play by the defender. 

"I had some color in my face trying to maneuver the throw. But 10 out of 10 times, if we’re looking at that same thing, I think I’d still try to work that timing of hitting that spot. I think the linebacker made a great play on that.”

McDaniel seems to be right here. The Dolphins had the ball just outside the red zone with over three minutes to play and were trailing the Bills by a touchdown. 

The offense did not need to force anything on that snap. Running back De'Von Achane was unguarded in the flat and could have set up a manageable distance on second down.

Getting on the same page as his coach is something Tagovailoa must do if Miami hopes to right the ship and compete for a playoff spot.