MIAMI GARDENS — A winning formula has developed for the 2025 Miami Dolphins — run the ball, stop the run, play good special teams, win the turnover battle and keep penalties to a minimum. Those elements (well, except for penalties) came together in the Dolphins’ 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

These Dolphins (7-9) seem to be a new Dolphins team, or at the very least a different team.

These Dolphins aren’t the flashy, big-play, highlight-reel guys of the quarterback Tua Tagovailoa-wide receiver Tyreek Hill era.

These Dolphins are more blue collar, more workmanlike. 

These run-first Dolphins have more of a meritocracy where rookies such as quarterback Quinn Ewers and defensive tackle Zeek Biggers, a pair of seventh-round picks, work hard, rise through the ranks and eventually get a chance to shine.

It seems as though there’s a culture change on the team, and it further seems that’s what was on display against Tampa Bay.

It was a good day (except for the 10 penalties for 77 yards) and, accordingly, it’s a good report card.

Run game: A

Running back De’Von Achane (18 carries, 83 yards) led the way, but second-year running back Jaylen Wright (five carries, 56 yards) also made a major contribution with some hard-nosed runs. All told the Dolphins rushed for 145 yards on 30 carries, averaging a chain-moving 4.8 yards per carry. The offensive line’s athleticism continues to shine in the outside zone run scheme that now fuels the offense. Coach Mike McDaniel’s playcalling also shines with the run game as the offense’s driving force.

Pass game: A

Ewers (14 of 22, 172 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 118.0 passer rating) was effective, efficient, smart, calm and cool. He didn’t make many bad decisions. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (one reception, 63-yard touchdown) was a one-play star but emerging tight end Greg Dulcich (five receptions, 58 yards, one touchdown) was a steady star. Achane (112 yards from scrimmage) added three receptions for 29 yards. Pass protection allowed two sacks but only three hits. It’s important to note wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (no receptions, one target, battled rib injury) and tight end Darren Waller (one reception, no yards, three targets), who fueled the passing game earlier this season, played minimal roles.

Run defense: A

The Dolphins limited the Buccaneers to 53 yards rushing on 16 carries, led by running back Bucky Irving (19 yards on nine carries). While linebacker Jordyn Brooks (five tackles), the NFL leader in tackles (174), battled a hamstring injury, others such as cornerback Jack Jones (game-best 10 tackles) made plays. Safety Ashtyn Davis (seven tackles, one interception) and linebacker Tyrel Dodson (five tackles) were also active. The run defense, by the way, held an opponent to fewer than 90 yards rushing for the fifth time in the last nine games, and the Dolphins are 5-0 in those games.

Pass defense: B

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield (33 of 44, 346 yards two touchdowns, two interceptions, 93.6 passer rating) had a 59-yard reception to wide receiver Chris Godwin and a 33-yard reception to wide receiver Jalen McMillan. They moved the ball at times (McMillan had seven receptions for 114 yards; Godwin had seven receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown) and drew a pass-interference call. But Davis and rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. had interceptions, and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb had two sacks and a caused fumble (on a strip-sack). The Dolphins, who recorded three sacks, did a nice job against a potentially dangerous trio of Mayfield and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (three receptions, 20 yards) and Mike Evans (three receptions, 31 yards, one touchdown).

Special teams: A

Biggers blocked a field-goal attempt in a three-point victory, kicker Riley Patterson made two field goals and punter Jake Bailey (five punts, 47.2 yards per punt average) had a tackle. Yeah, it was a productive day. Malik Washington had a 47-yard kickoff return. Oh, and the Dolphins recovered an onside kick late in the game. Nice work.

Coaching: A

Credit McDaniel for having his team ready against a Tampa Bay squad that needed a win to simplify its playoff path. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman also get credit here for having their units on top of their games. This Dolphins team came out hungry and efficient. And they outscored Tampa Bay, 3-0, in the third quarter, a time when the Dolphins usually slump. No, it wasn’t a perfect game (the penalties and two 100-yard receivers allowed). But it was a good game, and considering it’s December, that counts for a lot. 

Stock up: Quinn Ewers (and fellow rookies)

Ewers took care of the ball against Tampa Bay and was the frontman for a strong performance by the 2025 rookie class, draftees and non-draftees (Wease). All eight draftees are gaining valuable playing time this season, with Ewers offering the late-season excitement. We know improvement isn’t linear. There will be setbacks and disappointments. But this bodes well for the future.

Stock down: Quarterbacks not named Quinn Ewers

Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just that Ewers is checking lots of boxes and making it look as though his ascension to the starting job was the right decision. Granted, it’s a small sample size. But through two games Ewers is running this offense more efficiently than what we saw from Tagovailoa or Wilson.