The Dolphins will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday for the first time since 2017. The Buccaneers need a win to stay alive in the NFC South race while the Dolphins are looking to build momentum off a strong starting debut for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Pro Bowl teams were announced earlier this week and Miami's running back De'Von Achane earned his first career Pro Bowl honor. The Dolphins, however, remain focused on playing spoiler and winning the final home game of the 2025 campaign.
Battle of Florida
Head Coach Mike McDaniel – "The Bucs are going to be very on it, it's going to be important to them. From a competitive standpoint, that's what our team needs to go against and beat, is somebody that needs the win. From our vantage point, I like the competition of it."
Quarterback Quinn Ewers – "I think that they play super hard. They do a good amount of change up stuff... They seem like they are a bunch of fiery guys running around, trying to attack the ball. Again, just love the challenge ahead, excited for the opportunity for all of us."
Pro Bowlers announced
Running Back De'Von Achane – "It's something I grew up watching when I was a kid. Watching the Pro Bowl, seeing the guys out there having fun and enjoying the stuff that they did across the league. For me this being my first time, I'm excited about it."
Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver on LB Jordyn Brooks – "Just put on the tape. I think it'd be hard-pressed for anybody to put Jordyn's (Brooks) tape against either of those guys and say that he's an alternate to either of them. That kid has been flying around all year. He's the NFL's leading tackler."
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith on Aaron Brewer not making the Pro Bowl - "Like we talked about a couple weeks ago, he's stalwart part of our team, a leader, really sets the tone. His range and ability, I mean it's really special. I think if he keeps building upon a season like this, something like Pro Bowls are right around the corner."
Ewers's debut and encore
McDaniel on Ewers's first start – "The biggest thing was the idea of starting quarterback; you want to see the game not be too big for them. You want to see some composure, some feel, some understanding of time and space. You want to see them be able to hold onto the ball when the pocket allows but to get rid of the ball when the pocket is coming down on you, and I think he – it was impressive."
Fullback Alex Ingold – "Seeing him up and down the sideline being consistent with it, not too high, not too low, so I thought that was pretty cool to see out of Quinn (Ewers). Obviously coming out of half was pretty rough for the entire offense, but for him to go through that, work through it, started fast in the first half and then respond in the fourth quarter I think shows a lot of his character and it'll be interesting to see how the team can respond with him after that performance for next week. Excited to bank reps with him and see how he continues to progress for sure."
For more on Dolphins-Buccaneers, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available wherever you get your podcasts.
