The Miami Dolphins hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and turned out to be bad hosts. Miami beat up their intra-state rivals all afternoon, forcing turnovers and smacking the Buccaneers in the mouth.
Tampa Bay remains in the NFC South division title race, not because of anything they did on Sunday, but because the Seattle Seahawks were able to beat the Carolina Panthers.
Miami executed throughout the game, especially on defense, where the team forced three takeaways. The Dolphins also saw their rookies step up throughout the game, starting with quarterback Quinn Ewers and continuing through all three aspects of the game.
Below you will find our full-game recap of all the action. Reactions are in italics.
Final Score
Buccaneers 17 – 20 Dolphins
First Quarter
Penalty crushes Miami opening drive
The Dolphins opened with the ball after the Buccaneers won the coin toss. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw short to tight end Greg Dulcich for four yards, then threw a short pass to wide receiver Malik Washington, who turned the bubble screen into a 28-yard gain – only to have a holding penalty on wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, Jr., bring the ball back and give Miami a 2nd-and-16. Two more passes, one to running back De’Von Achane for no gain and one incomplete, led to a three-and-out punt.
Not the start the Dolphins needed. Washington’s gain was great, with the receiver weaving through blocks and finding space, but the penalty was a killer. All season, Miami has struggled with self-inflicted penalties, and that was another one.
Two-steps forward, one-step back leads to Buccaneers touchdown
Tampa Bay began at its 32-yard line after a good punt return from wide receiver Kameron Johnson before punter Jake Bailey laid him out on the sideline. Quarterback Baker Mayfield opened the drive with an eight-yard pass to tight end Cade Otton, with running back Bucky Irving adding seven yards on the next play. The Buccaneers would continue to move forward, though Miami’s defense stepped up after every couple of plays, including linebacker Jordyn Brooks stuffing Irving for a two-yard loss and linbebacker Bradley Chubb sacking Mayfield for a three-yard loss. The Tampa Bay attack picked up more chunk yards than Miami’s defense was able to take away, however, and the drive ended with Mayfield finding wide receiver Chris Godwin in the endzone to cap a 14-play, 68-yard scoring drive.
The defense had some good moments, but the Buccaneers picked them apart outside of those plays. Mayfield was immediately in rhythm with his receivers, throwing for 8, 7, 8, 5, 18, 13, and 5 yards.
Buccaneers 7-0.
Miami strikes back with rookies first touchdown
The Buccaneers took 7:27 off the clock to score. Miami took 58 seconds to respond. After wide receiver Jaylen Waddle took an end around for a seven-yard rush and an incomplete pass deep down the right side, a false start penalty backed Miami into a 3rd-and-8, looking like it might end the drive. Ewers, however, looked toward rookie wide receiver Theo Wease, Jr., playing in his second game, who caught a deep pass over the defense, then turn up field for a 63-yard score.
Hell of a way to answer. Ewers to Wease was strong in the preseason, and there is a reason the Dolphins coaching staff elevated him last week, then promoted him this week. Getting Ewers players he has chemistry with makes sense and it paid off there.
Tied 7-7.
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Second Quarter
Buccaneers punt after Dolphins mid-field stand
The Buccaneers started with the ball at their 17-yard line and 4:32 remaining in the quarter. They continued with their deliberate, ball-control style, running six plays and gaining 33 yards to midfield before the end of the first quarter. The highlight of the initial plays included a 16-yard pass from Mayfield to wide receiver Mike Evans. After the quarter break, linebacker Tyrel Dodson made a great open-field tackle on Irving for a one-yard gain, bringing up 4th-and-1. Tampa Bay lined up to try to draw Miami offsides, but it failed, and, after a delay of game penalty, the Buccaneers punted.
Good defensive stand. Cornerback Jack Jones was called for an illegal contact penalty, giving the Buccaneers five yards, but it proved to be of no impact on the drive. Really solid response after giving up the score on the opening possession.
Dolphins drive to take lead
After the punt, the Dolphins took the field at their 13-yard line, but they did not stay deep in their own territory long. Running back De’Von Achane gained 18 yards on the first two plays of the drive, then running back Jaylen Wright added another nine. Ewers threw to Dulcich for 23 yards on 2nd-and-1 from the 40-yard line, jumping the ball to the Buccaneers’ 37-yard line. Two plays later, Wright gashed Tampa Bay for a 32-yard gain. After a pass was batted back to Ewers for a reception on a six-yard loss, Dulcich caught a pass for seven yards, then lost seven on a poorly designed screen pass. Miami settled for the 29-yard field goal to take the lead.
The running game found their gear on the drive, with both Achane and Wright getting involved. Jonathan Vilma, the color commentator for the game, agreed with the Buccaneers’ punt, saying head coach Todd Bowles was asking Ewers to prove he could orchestrate a drive. The rookie quarterback did exactly that and Miami took the lead.
Dolphins 10-7.
Miami picks off Mayfield as rookies continue to shine
Mayfield threw two passes for 11 yards to start the drive, then Irving took a direct snap, but was stuffed for a one-yard loss. On 2nd-and-11, Mayfield looked deep for wide receiver Jalen McMillan, but the ball was a little short and rookie cornerback Jason Marshall, Jr., snagged it out of the air, returning it 25 yards (with 15 lost on a penalty).
Miami’s touchdown came on a rookie-to-rookie pass for 68 yards. Now, a rookie came away with the interception. The 2025 season may be only for pride for the Dolphins, but they are playing hard and they are getting their younger players the experience they need to prepare for 2026.
Dolphins continue early offensive onslaught
After the pick and the penalty, Miami opened with the ball at their 24-yard line and, once again, two runs from Achane started the drive. This time, the running back picked up 19 yards before Ewers threw to Dulcich for 13 yards. Wright then gained seven yards, followed by a run from Achane for eight yards. Ewers then threw to Achane for 20 yards on a screen pass than opened up beautifully. After an incomplete pass and a holding penalty, Miami faced 2nd-and-Goal from the Buccaneers’ 20-yard line. Ewers threw to Achane for nine yards before finding Dulcich in the endzone for the 11-yard score.
Miami’s offense is clicking right now. If Achane and Wright are both picking up big yards, while Dulcich and Achane are receiving threats, they are going to be able to keep the Buccaneers off balance. The one bad thing right now is wide receiver Jaylen Waddle headed into the locker room with a ribs injury and is questionable to return.
Dolphins 17-7.
Miami rookies continue to make impact
An illegal block penalty on the Buccaneers negated a seven-yard gain on first down, moving the ball back to the 20-yard line and a 1st-and-20. Mayfield threw to Otton for six yards to re-start the drive, then found McMillan for a 33-yard gain, pushing into Miami territory and setting up a potential double-up around halftime situation. An incomplete pass, a holding penalty to negate a 12-yard gain, and an incomplete pass set up a 3rd-and-13 before McMillan was stopped on a seven-yard reception. On the field goal attempt, Dolphins rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers blocked the kick, preventing a score.
Seriously, the rookies are on fire today. Miami came to play and they are absolutely crushing it today.
Dolphins end half with lead
Miami came out looking to attack with just 20 seconds remaining, but an incomplete pass, a penalty on a screen pass that went out of bounds, and a sack ended the half without Miami moving the ball.
Miami leads at the half. Can they hold on? Will the third-quarter haunt them as it has so many times this year?
Halftime Stats
Third Quarter
Buccaneers start half with three-and-out
Mayfield threw to wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a seven-yard gain on the first play of the half, with Jack Jones immediately there to level the receiver. A pass for no gain and an incomplete pass on the next two snaps led to a Tampa Bay punt.
The Dolphins defense held the Buccaneers to a three-and-out to start the second half. That is a huge change for Miami, who have been completely dominated in the third quarter all season. Games have fallen apart for Miami after halftime routinely this year, so Miami needs to make something happen.
Dolphins stumble to match three-and-out
Miami’s offense looked more like the standard Miami third-quarter team. After a false start to begin the drive, an incomplete pass, a sack for a loss of nine yards, and a run for two yards on 3rd-and-24 led to a punt.
The offense trades three-and-outs – putting the pressure back on the defense. Getting another stop and ending any talk of another third-quarter collapse is critical here.
Tampa Bay drives deep but settles for field goal
The Buccaneers put together a sustained drive after the Miami punt, starting with a Mayfield pass to running back Rachaad White for six yards before the quarterback was forced to scramble twice, picking up a combined five yards and converting the first down. A White run for seven yards and a pass from Mayfield to wide receiver Tez Johnson for 17 yards moved Tampa Bay to the Miami 30-yard line. Three plays later, facing 3rd-and-10, Mayfield scrambled for 11 yards, then Irving picked up 12 yards on a carry. Now 1st-and-Goal from the seven-yard line, the Buccaneers lost two yards on an Irving run before a one-yard gain on a screen pass. On 3rd-and-Goal, Mayfield attempted to stop a pass, fumbled the ball, then picked it up and ran, ultimately leading to a sack for Dodson for a seven-yard loss. The Buccaneers settled for a field goal.
The defense bent a lot, but they did not break and Miami may escape the third quarter still leading this game.
Miami answers with field goal as quarter ends
After Tampa Bay’s kickoff and a 47-yard return from Washington, the Dolphins began the drive with a five-yard loss on an Achane run. The running back made up for it with an 18-yard gain on the next play, then added another seven yards. On the fourth-straight play to Achane, he added five more yards, single-handedly taking Miami from the 50-yard line to their 45-yard line, then out to the Buccaneers’ 20. An incomplete pass, a false start penalty, an eight-yard run from Wright, and a four-yard pass to Washington as the fourth quarter began ultimately led to Miami settling for a 31-yard field goal.
Not ideal, but it worked 4:34 off the clock and added points. Miami escaped the dreaded third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Bucs punt on another three-and-out
A deep pass toward Evans led to an offensive pass interference penalty on the receiver, backing Tampa Bay into a 1st-and-20. They would pick up 13 yards on two Mayfield passes, but the 3rd-and-7 attempt fell incomplete and the Buccaneers punted.
The Dolphins defense – and Buccaneers penalties – are getting the job done right now. Can Miami’s offense put this game away?
Dolphins move away from goal line, but have to punt
After a perfectly placed punt, Miami opened at their four-yard line, only to have a false start penalty move them back to the two. Facing 3rd-and-11 three plays later, Ewers found tight end Julian Hill for a 16-yard gain, picking up a first down, and, more importantly, moving Miami away from their goal line. A one-yard run from Achane, no gain for Wright, and an eight-yard pass to Wilson led to a Dolphins punt.
That looked like a team with a rookie quarterback trying to will the team away from the goal line and a potential safety. It was not pretty, it felt a little forced, but it was effective. The fans in the stands wanted Miami to go for it on the 4th-and-1 play, but punting it there made the most sense. Flip the field and make the Buccaneers have to try to score quickly with a two-score deficit.
Miami picks off Mayfield for second time
Mayfield came out firing on every play of the drive, starting with a seven-yard gain on a pass to Egbuka. After an incomplete pass, Mayfield threw to McMillan on a short crossing route, with the receiver turning it into a 28-yard gain. After an 11-yard pass to Evans on a play where linebacker Quinton Bell should have had a sack but the quarterback somehow slipped out, Mayfield looked deep to Egbuka, but safety Ashtyn Davis came away with the interception.
Perfectly timed interception, ending what could have been a scoring drive. Davis played that perfectly and Miami now needs to put together a sustained drive and kill come of this clock.
Dolphins three-and-out burns 90 seconds
Miami’s offense could not sustain a drive, burning about 90 seconds off the clock after Achane lost a yard on first down, then ran for no gain on second down. On 3rd-and-11, Ewers looked to Waddle, but the ball fell incomplete and the Dolphins were forced to punt.
Not the clock killer the Dolphins could have used there.
Another Tampa Bay turnover
Mayfield opened the drive with two passes to Godwin, picking up a combined 17 yards. Three plays later, he went back to Godwin for another 11 yards. After a pass to McMillan for seven yards, Mayfield looked deep, but Chubb was able to hit his arm as he tried to throw the ball, with linebacker Quinton Bell recovering the strip sack.
Chubb with his second sack of the day, which qualifies him for one of his contract bonuses this year, on a beautiful pass rush. Bell fell on the ball, making up for his missed sack earlier.
Dolphins look to kill the clock
Miami opened the drive with an Achane run for six yards, then ran him again for one yard. After a Buccaneers timeout, Ewers scrambled seven yards for a first down, with Tampa Bay immediately calling their second timeout. After Achane ran for three yards, the Buccaneers called their final timeout. Miami ran two more times, with Achane gaining two yards and Washington picking up a yard, before punting back to the Buccaneers.
It did not end the game, but the Buccaneers were forced to use their timeouts and it should be enough for Miami to come away with the win.
Quick strike provides suspense at the end
With just 1:50 remaining in the game and starting at their own nine-yard line, the Buccaneers immediately attacked, picking up 59 yards on a short pass to Godwin that sprung the receiver down to the Miami 32-yard line. Three plays later, after a defensive pass interference penalty on the Dolphins, Mayfield threw to Evans for a four-yard score.
Well that happened fast. Only big play the Dolphins defense has allowed all game, and it comes now with Tampa Bay suddenly within striking distance.
Dolphins 20-17.
Miami recovers onside kick to preserve win
The Buccaneers attempted the onside kick, but the Dolphins were able to recover with Achane leaping high to catch the ball and effectively end the game. Ewers knelt twice to officially end the game.
Well that became a little closer than it should have been, but in the end, Miami dominated their way throughout the game and came away with the win.
