MIAMI GARDENS — Youth and curiosity are being served by the Miami Dolphins in the season’s final few games, and that combination added up to a 20-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in their home finale.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers was solid in his second start of the season and his third appearance, and the Dolphins’ youngsters (mostly third year and younger for this purpose) turned in promising performances for 2026. For example, rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., a frequent target for Ewers during training camp, had a 63-yard touchdown reception while rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. had his first interception.
Defensively, all of the rookie draftees got action.
Here’s what we learned Sunday:
The Crowd
The crowd at Hard Rock Stadium was outfitted with a good amount of red Tampa Bay jerseys, which is no surprise. Even some of the orange jerseys in the stadium were Tampa Bay as opposed to Miami. But the Dolphins fans outshined and outyelled the Buccaneers fans.
Overall, the stadium was perhaps 70 to 75 percent full, which is consistent with the past few home games.
In three of the past four home games the opponent has made significant inroads at Hard Rock Stadium. It got to the point where Buffalo, Baltimore and Cincinnati fans were heard loudly.
But Tampa Bay fans were fairly subdued Sunday and Dolphins fans were excited. — Chris Perkins
Young players get their snaps
The Dolphins played lots of third year or younger players Sunday and got good results as evidenced by the 63-yard touchdown pass from Ewers to Wease, Marshall’s interception, and rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers blocking a field goal attempt.
To make room for the young players the Dolphins made moves such as veteran center Aaron Brewer, who has been dealing with a neck injury, being inactive so young center Andrew Meyer, a second-year player, could make his NFL debut and veteran defensive tackle Benito Jones going to the injured reserve list.
Veteran tight end Darren Waller didn’t play as much as usual as inexperienced fourth-year tight end Greg Dulcich continued to get snaps as well as third-year tight end Julian Hill.
All eight rookie draftees played Sunday. Rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. recorded his first interception.
Second-year running back Jaylen Wright also got some work.
Among offensive players third year or younger that got major work were Ewers, running backs De’Von Achane, Wright and Ollie Gordon II, Meyer, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea and left tackle Patrick Paul.
Defensively, tackles Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Biggers got significant playing time as well as outside linebackers Chop Robinson (before leaving with an injury) and Cam Goode, Marshall, and safety Dante Trader Jr.
McDaniel has good day at Hard Rock Stadium
There’s a chance Sunday was the final game at Hard Rock Stadium for coach Mike McDaniel, whose job security is in question. McDaniel closes the 2025 season with a 23-11 (.677) record at home, including 5-4 this season. Overall, McDaniel is 35-32 (.522) in the regular season, 35-34 (.507) including playoffs.
McDaniel has made two playoff appearances and also had two losing seasons. He awakened quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and lobbied hard for Tagovailoa to get a four-year, $212 million contract extension, but now Tagovailoa has regressed and been dropped to third team.
Last season McDaniel, known for his speedy offense that ushered in practices such as cheat motion, went to a dink-and-dunk offense and the Dolphins finished 6-3. This season McDaniel has turned to a running offense and the Dolphins won five of six games to get on the periphery of the playoff chase.
McDaniel’s team have always played hard but they’ve never shown they can compete with the best teams in the league. McDaniel entered the season 4-20 (.167) against playoff teams. According to the current standings they’re 1-4 against playoff teams this season. The Dolphins had the league’s No. 1 offense in 2023, the year they went 11-6. But they were 1-6 vs. playoff teams that season and were outscored by an average score of 32-16.
Run defense comes through
The Dolphins kept the Buccaneers running game under control Sunday, limiting Tampa to 53 yards on 16 carries. Running back Bucky Irving was held to 19 yards on nine carries.
The Dolphins entered the game having allowed four of their past seven opponents to rush for at least 100 yards. Miami was 1-3 in those games.
Ewers shines
Quinn Ewers had another strong showing Sunday while going 14 of 22 for 172 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 117.9 passer rating. Ewers appeared calm and collected the entire game.
There was a hiccup early. Ewers had a deep pass on third-and-16 to wide receiver Malik Washington into double coverage that fell incomplete.
But that was about it. Ewers didn’t have any mindless plays and he never seemed to panic. This was a strong follow-up performance. Ewers was 20 of 30 for 260 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start last week against Cincinnati, a 45-21 loss.
TO margin/penalties
The Dolphins won an important category Sunday — turnover margin. Miami committed no turnovers while forcing three turnovers from Tampa Bay. The Dolphins didn’t win in penalties, however. as it committed nine for 62 yards. Tampa Bay had five penalties for 45 yards. Still, the Dolphins didn’t have an outrageous penalty total.
The Dolphins began play Sunday tied for 24th in turnover margin at minus-5. They were tied for 11th in fewest penalties (95) when play began and tied for ninth in fewest penalty yards (744).
One of the biggest penalties against the Dolphins was a hold on wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. that negated a 28-yard completion in the first quarter.
Offense has Texas feel
The Dolphins started four Texans on offense Sunday — Ewers, Achane, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and Paul. If Brewer played it would have been five Texans starting. Achane and Waddle, who are from the Houston area, were pleased to hear about the large number of Texans on offense when it was relayed to them in the locker room last week.
It’s a significant observation because the locker room was in a joking uproar last year when a loud, lively argument broke out about which state has better football players, Texas or Florida.
By the way, Ewers’ 63-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter was to a fellow Texan, Wease.
Achane puts up good numbers
Achane, the Pro Bowl running back, had another strong day from scrimmage with 112 yards. Achane ended with 83 yards rushing on 18 carries to go along with 29 yards receiving on three receptions. It turned out to be a laid back second half for Achane. In the first half he had 73 yards from scrimmage with five carries for 44 yards rushing and three receptions for 29 yards.
Special teams plays a role in the win
Special teams, which have had an up and down season, had a blocked field goal attempt, a 47-yard kickoff return by wide receiver Malik Washington and a recovered onside kick among their strong plays Sunday. Punter Jake Bailey also had a crucial tackle on a 27-yard punt return. Kicker Riley Patterson made two field goals.
Third-quarter success
The Dolphins struggled in third quarters entering this game but they came through Sunday, outscoring Tampa Bay, 3-0. Since Week 1, the Dolphins had been outscored, 113-27, in the third quarter, including 35-0 the past two weeks against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Newest-minted Pro Bowl selection soars to the second-best yardage year in club history
With a 7-yard run late in the third quarter, De’Von Achane passed Tyreek Hill into second place on the Dolphins’ all-time list for total yards in a season, with 95 yards at that point, Achane had 1,821 yards to Hill’s 1,814 in 2023. Achane finished with 112 against the Buccaneers and, at 1,838 for the year, would need a basically impossible 368 yards to catch Ricky Williams’ club mark at 2,206 yards from scrimmage in 2002. What a brilliant present and future for the first-time Pro Bowl selection. — Steve Svekis
Dulcich has been solid, for a while
In the first half against Tampa Bay, tight end Greg Dulcich, picked up by the Dolphins after being waived by the New York Giants in August, surpassed 40 yards in his fifth game in less than two months, with 58.
Ewers had the full enchilada in his second NFL start
Along with his two pretty touchdown passes to Theo Wease Jr. and Dulcich, the rookie also caught his own pass for minus-6 yards and then absorbed another 5-yard loss when he threw a ball backward out of bounds. He also was sacked for a 10-yard loss and a 9-yard loss. He capped off the winning effort with the Dolphins’ first running first down by a quarterback since Sept. 18. Quite the cornucopia.
Dolphins are on the verge of a club record for their runners’ ball security
The Dolphins have lost a mere five fumbles, or .313 per game. The club record per-game is the .353 fashioned by the 2022 squad (six in the 17 games). There also had been two other six-fumbles-lost seasons in Dolphins history (2006 and 2008), but those came in 16-game seasons for .375 fumbles lost per game. What was the worst such season in Dolphins history? The 1985 Dolphins gave away 20 fumbles, for a brutal 1.25-a-game figure. Interestingly, in each of the Dolphins’ championship seasons (1972 and 1973), a Miami runner handed the ball to the opposition 16 times (1.14 a game).
The ridiculous Pro Bowl snub Brooks kept doing his thing
With his hauling down of Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving for minus-2 yards with 8:59 remaining in the first quarter, tackle-machine linebacker Jordyn Brooks marked down his 24th tackle for loss in his 33 career games as a Dolphin. In 64 games as a Seattle Seahawk, Brooks had 23 TFLs in 64 games. Unfortunately, he had to depart with an injury in the second half. What an amazing signing by ex-GM Chris Grier.
On deck: New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Patriots will have a chunk to play for, at least initially, as a win by them and loss by the Denver Broncos would hand New England the bye week and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. However, the Los Angeles Chargers, already in the playoffs, will have little to play for in Denver, so, the Patriots may also lose urgency if the Broncos start winning by a large margin.
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) celebrates a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at 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)
Dolphins QB Quinn Ewers (14) celebrates after running for a first down vs. the Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at 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)