Dolphins HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2023: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 8

It's been a Hard Knock life for the Miami Dolphins of late, and HBO viewers got another look at that Tuesday.

While there was a time when an AFC East crown seemed like nothing more than a formality for the Dolphins after a 9-3 start, they dropped three of their final five games and saw a chance at the No. 1 seed and a division title slip from their grasp.

The last loss was the most difficult, as it gave the Buffalo Bills the AFC East championship.

But Tuesday's episode of HBO's Hard Knocks: In Season with the Miami Dolphins was about more than just the game itself. Much of it focused on the preparation that takes place before one of the biggest contests of the season.

And that preparation started with a stirring speech from head coach Mike McDaniel, who stressed to his team "the reason why we're frustrated is because we have high expectations that we f----ng created."

McDaniel has been heavily featured throughout the season, but viewers got a closer look into his football and personal journey that saw him bounce around various staffs in Houston, Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta and San Francisco before becoming the head coach in Miami.

He admitted issues with alcohol held him back for many years, but he is eight years sober now and used that milestone when talking to his team as another example of rising to meet opportunity in the face of adversity.

And adversity was the theme of Tuesday's episode, both on and off the field.

There was the team coming together to provide support for Tyreek Hill after his house caught on fire. There was also a defense fighting through a number of injuries, including one to linebacker Jerome Baker that will keep him out of the playoffs.

The Baker setback was particularly difficult because he worked his way back from another injury to return for the Bills game.

Unfortunately for Miami fans, Tuesday's episode eventually made it to that game.

While the Dolphins set the tone in the early going with a strong defensive performance as they built a 14-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter, a 96-yard punt return from Deonte Harty turned the game around for Buffalo. The Bills took the lead for good later in the quarter when Dawson Knox hauled in a touchdown catch.

Miami had one more chance to force overtime on its final drive, but Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception to Taylor Rapp. It was a fitting ending considering the offense struggled for much of the game as the quarterback threw for just 173 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

As a result, the Dolphins are the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs and will have to travel to face the reigning Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.

Talk about more adversity.