Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Dolphins’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami improved to 7-9:
Dave Hyde, Columnist
They didn’t have much to play for — well, other than that $900,000 for Bradley Chubb reaching his sack bonus. Good for him and good for the Dolphins not mailing it in. Quinn Ewers was fine in the first half. The defense took over the second half. A good day to close the home season.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist
This was a fairly clean performance starring many of the Dolphins young players. Coach Mike McDaniel had the team sharp and the players were on top of their games. Nice showing in a relatively meaningless game that shows the future might have more promise than the present.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer
The Dolphins’ youth came to the forefront in Sunday’s win. Quinn Ewers threw his first two touchdown passes. One went to Theo Wease. Jason Marshall had his first interception. Zeek Biggers, the rookie DT, blocked a field goal for the first time. Center Andrew Meyer made his first start. It’s what you want to see for the future as Miami is eliminated from playoff contention.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins kept alive their chances to avoid a 10-loss season with a highly entertaining game. They got the full Baker Mayfield experience, with Houdini escapes mixed in with “Who was he throwing to? interceptions. For the second game in a row, the Dolphins offense moved the ball decently and, most importantly, protected it. It was the Dolphins’ sixth game of the season with zero giveaways.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor
With Quinn Ewers effectively moving the offense despite his lack of experience (and Jaylen Waddle missing much of the game), the Dolphins finished their home schedule on a surge, and now, if they can win in Massachusetts next week, they can avoid a double-digit-loss campaign and match last year’s record.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) speaks the the media after the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) walks off the field after the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the filed after the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21) runs off the field after intercepting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21) gets up after interce[pting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) grabs bu can’t bring down Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) grabs bu can’t bring down Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) and Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) celebrate a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked and fumbles in the fourth crater agains the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) runs for a first down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) celebrates after running for a first down against Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) walks off the field holding his ribs during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass over Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) is brought down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) after catching his own deflected pass Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (5) runs for a first down past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (3)Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) calls the defense play as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) prepares to get the snap Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) rolls out top pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) runs in a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (81) runs in a touchdown past the defense of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) and Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) take the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins GM Champ Kelly is seen before the gam against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan arrives early for the matchup against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Lots of Bucs fans are expected as the team can make the playoffs with win. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) spoeaks with quarterback coach Darrell Bevell before the gam against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
/\Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) embraces quarterback coach Darrell Bevell before the gam against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) visit prior to the game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)