Dolphins crushed by Browns 31-6, McDaniel backs job, Tua to start

CLEVELAND — The Miami Dolphins were soundly beaten 31-6 by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field, dropping to 1-6 and intensifying questions about the direction of the franchise. After the loss, coach Mike McDaniel rejected speculation about his job security and said the team will keep quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the starter for Week 8, while acknowledging the need for immediate changes.

The Browns turned Miami’s mistakes into points, forcing four takeaways and converting them into a multi-score advantage. Tagovailoa threw three interceptions and lost a fumble before being replaced late in the game by rookie Quinn Ewers, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in his NFL debut. Miami’s only points came on field goals, and the team finished with multiple costly penalties and breakdowns that McDaniel said cannot continue.

“I find it very offensive to all parties involved if I’m thinking about having the job. I need to be doing my job,” McDaniel said in his postgame news conference. “For as long as I coach for the Miami Dolphins and this organization, they’ll get everything from me.” He later confirmed Tagovailoa will start Sunday at Atlanta. “He’s going to...