Can a rookie quarterback in his second NFL start outduel a veteran signal-caller fighting for his playoff life?
Quinn Ewers and the eliminated Miami Dolphins pulled off the upset, edging the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 on December 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in this intrastate NFL Week 17 clash. The Dolphins played spoiler with opportunistic defense and big plays, while three turnovers doomed Tampa Bay’s fading postseason push in the National Football League.
Score Summary
The Buccaneers struck first on a long opening drive, but Miami dominated the second quarter and held on through a late Tampa rally. The Dolphins outgained the Bucs slightly in key moments despite Tampa’s passing volume. Final score: Miami Dolphins 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17.
Quarter
Buccaneers
Dolphins
Key Scoring Plays
1st
7
7
Chris Godwin Jr. 5-yard TD pass from Baker Mayfield; Theo Wease Jr. 63-yard TD pass from Quinn Ewers
Mike Evans 4-yard TD pass from Mayfield (late); Patterson FG
Tampa Bay racked up 380 total yards but was plagued by turnovers, while Miami capitalized on short fields and explosive plays.
Turning Points
This low-scoring AFC-NFC showdown featured defensive stands and costly mistakes that kept the Dolphins in control:
Early Tie: After Tampa Bay’s 14-play opening TD drive, Ewers answered immediately with a 63-yard bomb to Theo Wease Jr. on a coverage bust, tying the game at 7-7.
Second-Quarter Surge: Miami’s defense forced turnovers, leading to a field goal and Dulcich’s TD reception just before halftime for a 17-7 lead.
Late Interception: Rookie Jason Marshall Jr.’s INT on Mayfield halted a potential Bucs comeback drive.
Fourth-Quarter Hold: The Dolphins added a field goal, and despite Mayfield’s late TD to Mike Evans, Miami’s defense recovered a strip-sack and ran out the clock.
These moments highlighted Miami’s opportunistic play against a desperate Tampa offense that committed a season-high three turnovers.
Standout Performances
In a game defined by clutch plays and errors, several stars emerged in this NFL Week 17 battle:
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers QB): Threw for 346 yards on 33-of-44 passing with two TDs, but two INTs and a strip-sack proved costly in the loss.
Chris Godwin Jr. (Buccaneers WR): Led with 7 receptions for 108 yards and a TD, providing reliable targets.
Mike Evans (Buccaneers WR): Late 4-yard TD catch; also surpassed 13,000 career receiving yards on a key third-down grab.
Quinn Ewers (Dolphins QB): In his second start, completed 14-of-22 for 172 yards and two TDs, including the 63-yarder to Wease.
Theo Wease Jr. (Dolphins WR): Explosive 63-yard TD reception.
De’Von Achane (Dolphins RB): Contained but contributed in the ground game for the spoiler effort.
Dolphins Defense: Forced three turnovers, including two INTs and a fumble recovery.
Miami’s unit as a whole frustrated Mayfield, while Tampa’s receivers shone despite the defeat.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
As the 2025 NFL regular season heads into its finale, this outcome keeps Tampa Bay’s faint hopes alive while ending Miami’s season on a high note:
For the Buccaneers (now 7-9), the heartbreaking loss extended a late-season slide (seven losses in eight games), but concurrent Carolina Panthers defeat kept the NFC South race open. Tampa Bay hosts the Panthers in Week 18 for a winner-take-all division title game—the victor claims the NFC South crown and a playoff berth.
The Dolphins (7-9) were already eliminated from postseason contention and played spoiler effectively with rookie Ewers under center. They close out at Cleveland, focusing on evaluation and draft positioning.
In the broader NFC playoff picture and NFC South standings, this result sets up dramatic Week 18 implications, with Tampa Bay controlling its destiny despite the stumble. NFL fans monitoring playoff scenarios, mock drafts, and seeding will watch the rematch closely as underdogs battle for January football.
