The Broncos certainly want to forget about the disappointing day when they let the Dolphins score 70 points on them. Not only that, but Mike McDaniel also spared them three points at the end of the game, or else Miami would have made the record for the highest points scored in an NFL game in the regular season.
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After the incredibly one-sided contest was over, McDaniel, during the post-game press conference, had revealed why he chose to show mercy on the Broncos’ defense by not scoring a field goal. Mike made it clear that his team had stepped out to secure a win, and not run behind record.
Mike McDaniel Explains Why Didn’t go for the ‘Special’ Record Against the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins showcased their offensive skills with a 50-point victory over the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and standout players Tyreek Hill, Devon Ashane, and Raheem Mostert dominated Denver’s defense. Though they briefly considered chasing the NFL’s single-game scoring record of 70 points, they somehow decided against it. The record for the most points scored in the NFL is still Washington’s 72-41 victory over the Giants in 1966.
Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel defended this decision after the game during the press meet by saying, “It felt like chasing points and chasing a record; that’s not what we came to the game to do; that doesn’t have a bearing on the overall season outcome. 10 times out of 10, you concede in those situations. The message I thought it would send wasn’t in line with how I view things.”
The Denver Broncos didn’t respect Mike McDaniel enough to give him an interview for their head coaching vacancy, but he respected them enough to not kick a field goal to set the ALL TIME record for points in an NFL game. He showed them mercy. That’s how you kill ‘em with kindness pic.twitter.com/OElhxHTP3D
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 24, 2023
In the end, backup quarterback Mike White advanced them near the red zone with time running out. Instead of pursuing the record, they chose to kneel on fourth down to secure the win, prioritizing sportsmanship over records. It was a remarkable gesture by the winning coach, who apparently wasn’t even given an interview when he had approached the Broncos back in the day for the HC’s job.
Mike McDaniel Once Worked for the Denver Broncos
It feels like apart from what was said in the postgame press meet, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s decision to forego pursuing an NFL scoring record likely stemmed from a mix of factors. Probably the biggest of all, it seems, was his respect for the Broncos. After all, he once interned for his hometown Denver under Mike Shanahan.
While McDaniel acknowledged the historical impact of “possibly” breaking a record set in 1966 by Washington, he prioritized sportsmanship as the Dolphins maintained class with the win. Even star QB Tua Tagovailoa echoed his coach’s sentiment after the game, as he mentioned how “their success was not about embarrassing teams” but showcasing their remarkable form.
As the Dolphins dominate the season with an impressive lineup including Tagovailoa, Hill, and a formidable running attack, rival teams need to be wary about them. McDaniel’s unit seems to have set its sight on a potential Lombardi Trophy and judging by how they have played so far, they are looking like genuine Super Bowl contenders this season.
