This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 7:55 PM.<\/p>\n
At some point, Jeff Hafley will get his first victory as an NFL head coach.<\/p>\n
But the way the Dolphins have looked the first two weeks of the season, he could be waiting awhile.<\/p>\n
Hafley sized up Sunday\u2019s 35-13 loss to the 49ers this way:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a tale of two halves. We showed improvement [in the first half]. We played hard. We played looser. In the second half, I don\u2019t think it was a lack of effort. We did something extremely uncharacteristic on the first play on the second half and gave up an explosive [on a reception by 49ers tight end George Kittle].\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, as Hafley said, it happened again a minute later on the TD pass to Kittle where there again seemed to be a miscommunication.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t coach well enough in the second half,\u201d Hafley said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t play well enough. I thought we had a great week of preparation. I thought we were ready to play better. Second half, not good enough in any phase.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami outgained the 49ers, 165 to 125, in the first half and trailed by just eight at the break. But the 49ers took control with a 21-point third quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a chance on the first third down [of the game] to get off the field; we had an unblocked guy,\u201d Hafley said. \u201cThere were opportunities for us to get off the field, and we didn\u2019t make the play for one reason or another… There\u2019s a Pro Bowl [for the 49ers at practically] every position. You have to keep them off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hafley addressed other issues:<\/p>\n
\u25aa He had no updates on two players who left with injuries: running back Jaylen Wright (stinger) and receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle). He wasn\u2019t asked about defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr., who sustained a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
\u25aa On right tackle Austin Jackson repeatedly being left to block All-Pro Nick Bosa on his own: \u201cThere were conversations and certain looks where we did help him, and we have to help him more.\u201d Bosa wasn\u2019t credited with a sack but created a lot of havoc.<\/p>\n
\u25aa On Riley Patterson missing a 51-yarder, his second miss in two weeks after finishing 27 for 29 on field goals last season: \u201cWe\u2019ve got to hit the field goals. That\u2019s two misses in two games. We\u2019re counting on him to make those kicks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa On Bradley Pinion fumbling a punt: \u201cHe has been punting for a really long time. He has to catch the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa On successfully using the Tush Push, the play the Eagles have used for years, on a first-down run by Malik Willis that was aided by fullback DJ Herman pushing him: \u201cWe\u2019ve got two big guards and an athletic center. If we feel we can do it successfully, we will use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa On going a second game in a row without a sack: \u201cWe rushed four. We rushed six. We rushed five. We zero pressured them. Hopefully we\u2019ll get Chop Robinson back soon… In drop back pass mode, can we get them with four? I have to have a better answer for you, because it hasn\u2019t worked in the first two games. I\u2019m going to continue to try to generate more pressure because we\u2019re not getting there right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa He said the Dolphins \u201ccan play with really good teams\u201d if each player does his \u201cone-eleventh\u201d and avoids mistakes.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my Sunday postgame piece<\/a> on a miserable condition that has afflicted Dolphins fans for years, and our plea to Jon-Eric Sullivan to fix it.<\/p>\n This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 7:55 PM.<\/p>\n
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