"There were some Sunday heroics to talk about, too. Cornerback Jack Jones had the overtime interception to set up the win. Running back De'Von Achane, once again, carried this offense. The defense's goal-line stand in the fourth quarter kept it a tied game. But everyone kept asking the same, nagging question: What was McDaniel thinking with 1:44 left when he chose not to take the lead with a chip-shot field goal? He went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line."
"Was he that unconfident of a Dolphins defense that, too, just allowed 13 points? Does the analytical, often-commendable mindset that made it preferable to go for it on fourth down override all sense of critical, game-situation thinking? It wasn't like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen or some quarterback who made your knees shake was on the other side, demanding you score a touchdown. It was Marcus Mariota. The Commanders' backup QB."
The Miami Dolphins defeated Washington 16-13 in overtime in Madrid after Jack Jones intercepted in overtime to set up the win. De'Von Achane paced the offense, and a fourth-quarter defensive goal-line stand kept the game tied. With 1:44 remaining, coach Mike McDaniel declined a short field goal and went for fourth-and-goal at the 1; Ollie Gordon II was stopped for minus-2 yards. McDaniel said, "I definitely would not have made the call if I thought it was going to fail." Questions surfaced about confidence in an offense that scored 13 points, a defense that allowed 13, analytics versus situational judgment, and the presence of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. McDaniel also cited new kickoff rules and Washington's return ability between the 30 and 40 as a factor affecting field-goal distance.
Read at Sun Sentinel
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