Dolphins' Third-Quarter Woes Continue to Haunt Team

The Miami Dolphins' ongoing struggles in the third quarter were again evident in their recent 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a significant factor in their elimination from playoff contention.

According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins were outscored 14-0 in the third quarter, with linebacker Jordyn Brooks stating, 'I don’t know what happened to us' regarding the team's performance after halftime.

Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that the team must be better at coming out of the halftime break. Tua Tagovailoa's performance deteriorated significantly during the quarter, completing only one pass for four yards while suffering two sacks that totaled a 23-yard loss, contributing to a net yardage of negative 20 yards in that frame.

The Dolphins' third-quarter woes extend throughout the season, with a staggering outscoring of 92-27 in third quarters in 2025. Tagovailoa expressed disappointment in his performance, citing communication issues among the offense, which has contributed to a passing game that ranks among the worst in the league.

The Phinsider pointed out that the Dolphins appeared timid and lacked urgency, especially in the fourth quarter, despite a late-game surge that ultimately fell short. With only three games remaining, the Dolphins face questions about their ability to maintain performance under pressure and whether significant changes are necessary moving forward.