The Dolphins ended the 2025 home schedule with a bang as they outlasted the Buccaneers 20-17 Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami's 20-17 victory was sparked by big plays from the rookie class, timely veteran contributions and an impressive performance by their rookie quarterback.
1. Ewers anticipatory no look
The encore performance from Miami's rookie signal-caller won't top the weekly leaderboard or win any fantasy championships. But the tape tells the story more than the stats as Ewers demonstrated a skill that plenty of veteran quarterbacks never establish – the ability to manipulate and move defenses to create big-strike opportunities.
The first career touchdown pass for Ewers went to another rookie, wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., on what initially looked like a busted coverage by the Tampa secondary. Upon further review, Ewers created the bust. How did he do it?
"Quinn's eyes," Wease Jr. said. "He's the reason that the corner, he bit on the route inside of me. I got to give hats off to Quinn. He gave me a good ball, and I had to put my head down and keep running and go score."
Following Ewers' first start, Head Coach Mike McDaniel lauded the rookie's poise and feel for the game. Having a full week of preparation as the starter led to massive strides for the former 5-star recruit out of Texas.
After throwing a pair of touchdowns and 144 yards in the first half, the first Dolphins rookie quarterback to do that since Dan Marino 42 years ago, Ewers earned more admiration from his coach.
"You have an idea, a feeling, that the game isn't too big for a player based on your history and your experience day in and day out with somebody," McDaniel said. "I think Quinn played a very good game with what we asked him to do. He was very responsible but aggressive with the football."
Ewers finished with 172 passing yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 118.0
2. Youthful exuberance
There's no better result than winning on the back of the youth of a roster when playing out the string of a season in which the playoffs are out of reach. Ewers' two touchdowns went to a rookie and a fourth-year pro in tight end Greg Dulcich.
"It was the right look for the call we made and he put an awesome ball out there and it was sweet," Dulcich said.
It was Dulcich's first touchdown since 2022, but he's been building a resume since his call up to the active roster in Week 8. He has totaled 304 receiving yards going over 40 yards in five of his nine games, including each of the last four.
At 25-years-old, Dulcich was one of the older playmakers of the day for Miami. Staying on offense, Miami's running back trio – the third-year star De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright in Year 2 – combined for 168 yards from scrimmage. They did it behind a center making his NFL debut in Andrew Meyer. Meyer didn't allow any pressures in pass protection and had the rep of the day when he drove Tampa Bay defensive tackle Vita Vea five yards off the ball on an Achane first down run.
"I think it was a great game to see a lot of guys step up and make some plays," defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. "Obviously we all know, we're not going to sugarcoat it, we're not making playoffs but to see guys go out there no matter the conditions and just play their best ball and show no quit. It was really awesome to see so it's been exciting to see these young boys grow up and look forward to keep playing and keep growing up."
The rookies on Sieler's side of the ball did their thing, too. Cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. secured his first interception and made eight tackles, including one for a loss. He also broke up a third down pass intended for wide receiver Mike Evans that led to a Bucs punt.
Rookie defensive tackles Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers played a part in limiting the Bucs to 53 rushing yards on 16 carries, just 3.3 per tote. Biggers added a blocked field goal.
3. Veteran wisdom
Let's be clear – nobody on the Dolphins roster is old. But for the sake of clever word play, we're going to take our hats off to the elder statemen of the team that played a big role in the win.
Cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones continued their strong seasons. Douglas drew Evans on most of his reps traveling with the star receiver. Evans finished the game with three receptions for 31 yards on seven targets. Jones made a game-high 10 tackles, one for a loss, and added a pass breakup.
Safety Ashtyn Davis and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb sealed the game with an interception and a sack fumble. Chubb sacked Mayfield twice while Davis secured the first interception of his Dolphins career.
EMBED PODCAST
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
