2023 Miami Dolphins season

The 2023 season was the Miami Dolphins' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 58th overall, their eighth under general manager Chris Grier and their second under head coach Mike McDaniel.

2023 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerStephen M. Ross
General managerChris Grier
Head coachMike McDaniel
Home fieldHard Rock Stadium
Results
Record11–6
Division place2nd AFC East
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Chiefs) 7–26
Pro BowlersQB Tua Tagovailoa
RB Raheem Mostert
FB Alec Ingold
WR Tyreek Hill
OT Terron Armstead
CB Jalen Ramsey
AP All-ProsWR Tyreek Hill (1st team)
Uniform

The Dolphins improved upon their 9–8 record from the previous two seasons after a Week 15 win over the New York Jets. With a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16, they clinched a playoff spot for a second consecutive season. Despite leading the Buffalo Bills by three games with five to play, the Dolphins faltered late in the season and, combined with the Bills going undefeated since the bye, put AFC East control in their Week 18 matchup. In that game, the Dolphins lost to the Bills, giving the Bills the division. The loss meant 2008 would remain the most recent season the Dolphins won the AFC East. Throughout the year, the Dolphins were noted to struggle to beat teams with winning records.[1]

The Dolphins once again failed to win a playoff game, not having done so since 2000, losing to the eventual repeat Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 26–7 loss in one of the coldest games in NFL history. This game was Tyreek Hill, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Emmanuel Ogbah's return to Arrowhead. With the Detroit Lions defeating the Los Angeles Rams and advancing to the NFC Divisional round the following day, the Dolphins officially hold the longest active playoff victory drought in the NFL.

In their Week 3 70–20 victory over the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins became the first NFL team to score 70 points in a game since 1966.[2] This was the second most points scored in a regular-season game all time.[3]

Offseason

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On January 19, 2023, the Dolphins parted ways with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer.[4]

After firing Boyer, the Dolphins signed long time defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (well known for his defense being consistently ranked top-5 in major categories) to a contract making him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL.[5][6]

On March 12, the Dolphins agreed in principle to a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in which they acquired 6 time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey in exchange for tight end Hunter Long and a 2023 3rd round pick. The Rams used the pick to select Tennessee defensive end Byron Young. The trade was officially announced 3 days later after the start of the NFL league year.[7][8]

Free agent signings

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Free agent signings in the 2023 Miami Dolphins season
PositionPlayerAge2022 TeamContract
QBMike White28New York Jets2 years, $8 million
ILBDavid Long Jr.26Tennessee Titans2 years, $11 million
OLBMalik Reed26Pittsburgh Steelers1 year, $1 million
WRBraxton Berrios27New York Jets1 year, $3.5 million
FSDeShon Elliott26Detroit Lions1 year, $1 million
TEEric Saubert29Denver Broncos1 year, $1 million
GDan Feeney28New York Jets1 year, $3.25 million
PJake Bailey25New England Patriots1 year, $1 million
TIsaiah Wynn27New England Patriots1 year, $1 million
TCedric Ogbuehi31New York Jets1 year, $1 million

Draft

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2023 Miami Dolphins Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
1Selection forfeited[A]
29Traded to Denver[B]From San Francisco[C]
251Cam SmithCBSouth Carolina
377Traded to Los Angeles Rams[D]From New England[E]
84De’Von AchaneRBTexas A&M
4122Traded to Kansas City[F]
5155Traded to San Francisco[G]
6178Traded to Kansas City[F]From Chicago[H]
197Elijah HigginsWRStanford
7238Ryan HayesOTMichigan

Notes

  1. ^ Miami forfeited its first-round selection as well as its 2024 third-round selection as punishment for multiple violations of the league's anti-tampering policy in conversations with quarterback Tom Brady and Don Yee, the agent for then-New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton (as well as Brady).
  2. ^ Miami traded San Francisco's selection, a 2024 fourth-round selection, and running back Chase Edmonds to Denver in exchange for Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round selection.
  3. ^ Miami traded their 2021 first-round pick (3rd overall) to the 49ers in exchange for their 2021 first-round pick (12th overall), 2022 first and third-round picks (29th and 102nd overall), and a first-round pick (29th overall) in 2023.
  4. ^ Miami traded New England's selection and tight end Hunter Long, to Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jalen Ramsey.
  5. ^ New England traded a third-round selection to Miami in exchange for wide receiver DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-round selection.
  6. ^ a b Miami traded fourth and sixth-round selections, and 2022 first, second, and fourth-round selections to Kansas City in exchange for wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
  7. ^ Miami traded a fifth-round selection to San Francisco in exchange for running back Jeff Wilson.
  8. ^ Chicago traded a sixth-round selection to Miami in exchange for wide receiver Jakeem Grant.
2023 Undrafted Free Agents
PositionPlayerCollege
LBMitchell AgudeMiami (FL)
QBJames BlackmanArkansas State
CBEthan BonnerStanford
RBChristopher BrooksBYU
DERandy CharltonMississippi State
WRChris ColemanCal Poly
WRDaewood DavisWestern Kentucky
TEJulian HillCampbell
TJarrett HorstMichigan State
TAlex JensenSouth Dakota
LBAubrey MillerJackson State
DTAnthony MontalvoUCF
LBGarrett NelsonNebraska
DTBrandon PiliUSC
GDJ ScaifeMiami (FL)
SKeidron SmithKentucky
TJames TunstallCincinnati
PMichael TurkOklahoma
CAlama UluaveSan Diego State
LBZeke VandenburghIllinois State
SBennett WilliamsOregon

Staff

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2023 Miami Dolphins staff

Front office

  • Chairman/managing general partner – Stephen Ross
  • Vice chairman/partner – Bruce Beal
  • Vice chairman – Jorge Pérez
  • Vice chairman – Matt Higgins
  • Vice chairman, president, and CEO – Tom Garfinkel
  • General manager – Chris Grier
  • Assistant general manager – Marvin Allen
  • Vice president, football administration – Brandon Shore
  • Senior vice president, chief financial officer – Chris Clements
  • Senior personnel executive – Reggie McKenzie
  • Co-director, player personnel – Adam Engroff
  • Co-director, player personnel – Anthony Hunt
  • Director of college scouting – Matt Winston
  • Senior scout – Jim Abrams
  • Special advisor to the vice chairman, president, and CEO – Dan Marino

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Vic Fangio
  • Defensive line – Austin Clark
  • Assistant defensive line – Kenny Baker
  • Linebackers – Anthony Campanile
  • Outside linebackers – Ryan Slowik
  • Passing game coordinator/secondary – Renaldo Hill
  • Cornerbacks/pass game specialist – Sam Madison
  • Safeties – Joe Kasper
  • Assistant defensive backs – Mathieu Araujo
  • Senior assistant – Wade Harman
  • Defensive assistant – Steve Donatell

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Danny Crossman
  • Assistant special teams – Brendan Farrell

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dave Puloka
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Lachance

Final roster

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2023 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 11 inactive, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

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WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 11Atlanta FalconsL 3–190–1Hard Rock StadiumRecap
2August 19at Houston TexansW 28–31–1NRG StadiumRecap
3August 26[A]at Jacksonville JaguarsL 18–311–2EverBank StadiumRecap

Regular season

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Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 10at Los Angeles ChargersW 36–341–0SoFi StadiumRecap
2September 17at New England PatriotsW 24–172–0Gillette StadiumRecap
3September 24Denver BroncosW 70–203–0Hard Rock StadiumRecap
4October 1at Buffalo BillsL 20–483–1Highmark StadiumRecap
5October 8New York GiantsW 31–164–1Hard Rock StadiumRecap
6October 15Carolina PanthersW 42–215–1Hard Rock StadiumRecap
7October 22at Philadelphia EaglesL 17–315–2Lincoln Financial FieldRecap
8October 29New England PatriotsW 31–176–2Hard Rock StadiumRecap
9November 5at Kansas City ChiefsL 14–216–3 Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)Recap
10Bye
11November 19Las Vegas RaidersW 20–137–3Hard Rock StadiumRecap
12November 24at New York JetsW 34–138–3MetLife StadiumRecap
13December 3at Washington CommandersW 45–159–3FedExFieldRecap
14December 11Tennessee TitansL 27–289–4Hard Rock StadiumRecap
15December 17New York JetsW 30–010–4Hard Rock StadiumRecap
16December 24Dallas CowboysW 22–2011–4Hard Rock StadiumRecap
17December 31at Baltimore RavensL 19–5611–5M&T Bank StadiumRecap
18January 7Buffalo BillsL 14–2111–6Hard Rock StadiumRecap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 1: at Los Angeles Chargers

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Week 1: Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins7137936
Chargers71071034

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

In a back-and-forth affair, the Dolphins got the better of the matchup, beating the Chargers 36–34. The Dolphins started off the season 1–0.

Week 2: at New England Patriots

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Week 2: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins3140724
Patriots0301417

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos

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Week 3: Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Broncos760720
Dolphins1421142170

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,522
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The 70 points scored by the Dolphins are the highest by any team since 1966, and tied with the third highest points scored in NFL history. Miami had the opportunity to tie the single-game points record with 33 seconds remaining,[10] but opted to kneel the football instead of attempting a 45-yard field goal.[11] In addition to the 70 points scored, the Dolphins had 726 total yards, the second-most in league history, behind only the mark of 735 set by the Los Angeles Rams in a 1951 game against the New York Yanks.[12] They also became the first team in NFL history to gain 350 rushing and 350 passing yards in one game, and also are the first team in NFL history to score 5 passing and 5 rushing touchdowns in the same game.

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills

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Week 4: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins776020
Bills141710748

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

A week after their historic performance, the Dolphins lost their first game of the regular season, falling to 3–1.

Week 5: vs. New York Giants

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Week 5: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Giants0103316
Dolphins71014031

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

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Week 6: Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers1400721
Dolphins02171442

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 87 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,529
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

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Week 7: Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins377017
Eagles3147731

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,879
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 8: vs. New England Patriots

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Week 8: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Patriots703717
Dolphins7107731

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

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NFL Germany games

Week 9: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins0014014
Chiefs7140021

at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany

Game information

This was Tyreek Hill's first game against the team he had once played for. This was also the second ever NFL game played in Germany, the previous one being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Seattle Seahawks game just a year prior.

Week 11: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

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Week 11: Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Raiders1030013
Dolphins776020

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,026
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: at New York Jets

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Week 12: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins31431434
Jets060713

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 13: at Washington Commanders

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Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins17147745
Commanders078015

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titans

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Week 14: Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Titans01031528
Dolphins7031727

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Despite leading 27–13 with just 3 minutes left, which gave the Dolphins a 99.7% chance to win the game, the Dolphins went on to lose 28–27, becoming the first team to blow a 14+ point lead in the final three minutes in regulation.[13][14]

Week 15: vs. New York Jets

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Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jets00000
Dolphins7173330

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,967
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Week 16: Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cowboys7031020
Dolphins3106322

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens

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Week 17: Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins1030619
Ravens72172156

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Week 18: vs. Buffalo Bills

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Week 18: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bills0701421
Dolphins0140014

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: January 7
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,292
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Standings

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Division

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AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) Buffalo Bills1160.6474–27–5451311W5
(6) Miami Dolphins1160.6474–27–5496391L2
New York Jets7100.4122–44–8268355W1
New England Patriots4130.2352–44–8236366L2

Conference

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#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1Baltimore RavensNorth1340.7653–38–4.543.529L1
2[a][b]Buffalo BillsEast1160.6474–27–5.471.471W5
3[a]Kansas City ChiefsWest1160.6474–29–3.481.428W2
4Houston TexansSouth1070.5884–27–5.474.465W2
Wild cards
5[c]Cleveland BrownsNorth1160.6473–38–4.536.513L1
6[b][c]Miami DolphinsEast1160.6474–27–5.450.358L2
7Pittsburgh SteelersNorth1070.5885–17–5.540.571W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d]Cincinnati BengalsNorth980.5291–54–8.574.536W1
9[d][e]Jacksonville JaguarsSouth980.5294–26–6.533.477L1
10[e]Indianapolis ColtsSouth980.5293–37–5.491.444L1
11[f]Las Vegas RaidersWest890.4714–26–6.488.426W1
12[f]Denver BroncosWest890.4713–35–7.488.485L1
13New York JetsEast7100.4122–44–8.502.454W1
14Tennessee TitansSouth6110.3531–54–8.522.422W1
15Los Angeles ChargersWest5120.2941–53–9.529.388L5
16New England PatriotsEast4130.2352–44–8.522.529L2
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b Buffalo finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Buffalo finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head sweep.
  3. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Miami based on conference record.
  4. ^ a b Cincinnati finished ahead of Jacksonville based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Indianapolis (see below).
  5. ^ a b Jacksonville finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head sweep.
  6. ^ a b Las Vegas finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head sweep.
  7. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

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Schedule

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RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
Wild CardJanuary 13at Kansas City Chiefs (3)L 7–260–1Arrowhead StadiumRecap

Game summaries

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Kansas City Chiefs

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Miami Dolphins at (3) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins07007
Chiefs793726

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Notes

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  1. ^ Due to an injury involving Daewood Davis, the game was suspended with around eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Why the injury-plagued Miami Dolphins are doomed against the Kansas City Chiefs, SportsNaut, January 10, 2024
  2. ^ Kerr, Jeff (September 24, 2023). "Dolphins score 70 points in rout of Broncos, record most yards ever in game in NFL history". CBS Sports.
  3. ^ De la Fuente, Homero; Almasy, Steve (September 24, 2023). "Miami Dolphins score 70 points and take a knee rather than take a shot at NFL scoring mark". CNN.
  4. ^ "Dolphins fire Josh Boyer after three seasons as defensive coordinator". NFL.com.
  5. ^ "Report: Vic Fangio officially joining Dolphins after Super Bowl". February 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "Report: Dolphins hire Vic Fangio, make him NFL's highest-paid coordinator | Fox Sports".
  7. ^ "Sources: Rams trading star CB Jalen Ramsey to Dolphins".
  8. ^ "Miami Dolphins make trade with L.A. Rams".
  9. ^ Edholm, Eric (August 26, 2023). "Dolphins-Jaguars preseason game suspended after Miami WR Daewood Davis carted off with injury". NFL.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "Dolphins 70-20 Broncos (Sep 24, 2023) Play-by-Play". ESPN. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Deen, Safid. "Miami Dolphins stop short of NFL scoring record with 70-point outburst – and fans boo". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Dolphins make history with 70 points and 726 yards; Bills on deck". ESPN. September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  13. ^ Titans rally to upset Dolphins 28-27 on Monday Night Football: Live updates, highlights, stats and reaction, The Athletic, December 12, 2023
  14. ^ Mike McDaniel says Titans' comeback against Dolphins was 'hard, hard lesson' that no lead in NFL is safe, CBS Sports, December 12, 2023
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