Dolphins fans have not been happy recently with the coaching staff’s play calling. The first quarter on Thursday night did nothing to change that.
After Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake stripped the ball from Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to set Miami up in great field position, the Dolphins’ offense managed nine yards on the next three plays and faced fourth-and-1. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin could have made an aggressive move and gone for it, but instead he sent the field goal team onto the field, and the fans in Miami booed.
Then Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis missed a 34-yard field goal, and the fans in Miami really booed.
Coaches are risk-averse on fourth downs because they know they’ll be criticized if they go for it and don’t make it. But coaches will also be criticized when they play it safe and don’t come away with any points. Philbin deserves the criticism he’ll get for that call.