MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — For the second straight season under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins are assured of a losing record.
Though the team has been disappointed with their performance this season, including the benching of quarterback and captain Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins can play spoiler in their home finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If the Dolphins beat the Buccaneers, and the Carolina Panthers win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers would officially clinch the NFC South title – meaning Week 18’s game between Tampa Bay and Carolina would be meaningless.
“I think you can be vulnerable in situations where people can get lost in what there is to play for or just focus on the fact that the postseason doesn’t exist, but I think if you aggressively attack the week and you bring light to the reality of the NFL,” McDaniel said Friday.
“Which is there’s so much at stake for each and every coach and player where you want to leave the season with your best impressions regardless of the scenario for each and every player,” McDaniel added.
Rookie Quinn Ewers, who finished 20-of-30 for 260 yards and two interceptions in the Dolphins’ 45-21 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 21 at Hard Rock Stadium, will make his second start.
“I thought I did a great job. I thought all the timing snap points were finishing up in a good spot for our guys to get the right angles,” Ewers said Wednesday.
“I really didn’t have any – I think it was one pre-snap issue that we had, so obviously room to grow, room to build and we all have another opportunity to showcase how much it matters to us this week. I’m excited for the opportunity for not only me but all of these guys in this room,” added Ewers.
As for Tagovailoa, he is likely to serve as the emergency third quarterback for the second week in a row, making him inactive on game day.
McDaniel announced Friday that the team will be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), cornerback Isaiah Johnson (knee) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (back), while wide receiver Dee Eskridge (toe) is doubtful to play.
Center Aaron Brewer (neck), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (chest), offensive lineman Andrew Meyer (tricep), and kicker Jason Sanders (right hip) are listed as questionable, according to the team.
Meyer and Sanders have yet to make their debuts in the 2025 season.
The Dolphins will close the 2025 season in Week 18 against the New England Patriots.
