
Mike McDaniel changed his game plan dramatically in 2024. The Miami coach attempted only 13 fourth-down conversions out of 101 opportunities this season. In the past, he was very aggressive. The Dolphins were 9th amongst NFL teams in fourth-down attempts in 2023. This year, McDaniel was near the bottom - ranked 25th.
However, when the Dolphins did take chances, they performed better. Their success rate jumped to 48.4%, up from their previous 44%.
During a few games this year, McDaniel opted for the conservative field goal, but was unsuccessful.
- In Week 3 against Seattle: Missing a 57-yard attempt against Seattle handed over great field position, letting the opponent score quickly. That field position swap proved costly. Dolphins lost 3 - 24.
- In Week 7 against Indianapolis: Behind by three, McDaniel opted for a long field goal instead of going for a short fourth-down play. The kick missed, costing them their chance to even the score. Dolphins lost 10 -16.
The Dolphins came out aggressively at the start of the season, going for it on fourth-and-8 from the 42 against Jacksonville. But they got more cautious as time went on - like choosing a 54-yard kick over trying fourth-and-6 against San Francisco.
They didn't always play it safe though. Against Houston, after a penalty pushed them back, McDaniel skipped the field goal and went bold. His daring fourth-and-7 call resulted in a touchdown. Though the Dolphins would lose the game 12 - 20.
The stats paint a clear picture. From an aggressive 1.18 rating and 14 attempts in 2023, McDaniel's current style shows he's become much more cautious.