MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins played spoiler in their final home game of the 2025 season, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20–17 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tampa Bay entered the game needing a win to stay in control of its NFC South destiny, but Miami rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers delivered the best performance of his young career to help derail those plans.
Ewers, making just his second NFL start after last week’s 45-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, threw his first two career touchdown passes and finished 14 of 22 for 172 yards with no interceptions.
His highlight came late in the first quarter when he hit Theo Wease Jr. for a 63-yard touchdown — the longest play of Miami’s season and the longest pass by a Dolphins rookie quarterback since Ryan Tannehill’s 80-yard score to wide receiver Brian Hartline in 2012 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Tampa Bay struck first with a 14-play, 68-yard drive capped by Baker Mayfield’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin Jr. But Miami answered quickly with Ewers’ deep strike to Wease, then took the lead on a 29-yard Riley Patterson field goal.
The Dolphins extended their advantage in the second quarter when Ewers connected with tight end Greg Dulcich for an 11-yard touchdown, making it 17–7 at halftime.
Miami’s defense helped preserve the lead when rookie defensive tackle Zeke Biggers blocked a 55-yard field goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin just before the break.
Mayfield was efficient but mistake-prone, finishing 33 of 44 for 346 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a fumble lost on a strip-sack. Miami’s defense limited Tampa Bay to just 20 rushing yards in the first half and consistently disrupted drives with pressure and coverage.
Miami padded its lead in the third quarter when Patterson drilled a 31-yard field goal after the Dolphins’ offense stalled, extending the margin to 20–10.
Tampa Bay was unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities, including a drive that ended with Mayfield’s second interception, this one picked off by safety Ashtyn Davis on a deep pass intended for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
De’Von Achane continued his standout season, surpassing Ricky Williams’ 1,815 scrimmage yards to move into second place in franchise history for a single season. He finished the game with 121 total yards on 21 touches.
A key factor in Miami’s win was its dominance on the ground, outgaining Tampa Bay 145–53 in rushing yards.
Chubb added his second sack of the game with just under four minutes remaining, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Quenton Bell. It marked Mayfield’s third turnover of the afternoon.
Miami pinned Tampa Bay deep with a punt, but Mayfield jump-started the ensuing drive by connecting with Godwin for 59 yards.
On the next play, a defensive pass interference penalty on Rasul Douglas while covering Mike Evans moved the ball to the Miami 4-yard line, and Mayfield followed by hitting Evans for a 4-yard touchdown to cut the Dolphins’ lead to 20–17.
However, Miami recovered Tampa Bay’s onside kick and sealed the victory.
Up next
Miami (7-9) travels to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots (13–3), while Tampa Bay (7-9) returns home to host division rival Carolina (8-8).
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