Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats: Rookie Quinn Ewers Leads Miami to 20-17 Victory

The Miami Dolphins edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 on December 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in front of 66,552 fans. In a game where tampa bay buccaneers vs miami dolphins match player stats. 

Tell a tale of two offenses, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns—including a 63-yard strike for his first career score—to lift Miami.

Tampa Bay (7-9) outgained Miami 380-298 and dominated time of possession 32:06 to 27:54, but three Buccaneers turnovers proved disastrous. 

The Dolphins (7-9) converted those miscues into 10 points, snapping a four-game losing streak for the visitors and keeping Tampa Bay’s NFC South hopes alive heading into a Week 18 showdown with Carolina.

Match Overview Table

Core Match Statistics Overview

Data compiled from ESPN game logs

Turnover Battle

• The Buccaneers vs Dolphins box score shows a 3-0 turnover differential in Miami’s favor. Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, while Quinn Ewers kept the ball clean.
• Miami scored 10 points off those takeaways, effectively flipping the field and neutralizing Tampa Bay’s yardage advantage.

Ground Game Disparity

• Miami rushed for 145 yards compared to Tampa Bay’s 53, with De’Von Achane leading the charge with 83 yards on 18 carries.
• The Buccaneers managed just 3.3 yards per carry as a team, unable to establish any consistent rushing attack against Miami’s front seven.

Third Down Execution

• Tampa Bay converted 6 of 13 third downs (46.2%), but their inability to finish drives in the red zone (2-for-3) kept the game closer than it should have been.
• Miami’s defense stiffened when it mattered most, forcing four punts and holding the Buccaneers to just 10 points through three quarters.

Period-by-Period Analysis

1st Quarter — Fast Starts and Instant Answers

• Baker Mayfield’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin Jr. ended Tampa Bay’s 14-play, 68-yard drive that took 7:27 off the clock.
• Miami answered in just 58 seconds—Quinn Ewers found Theo Wease Jr. for a 63-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ third offensive play, tying the game at 7-7.
• The Bucs’ defense couldn’t get off the field early, but the quick-strike Dolphins offense showed they could score in a hurry.

2nd Quarter — Miami Takes Control

• Riley Patterson drilled a 29-yard field goal at 8:18 to give Miami a 10-7 lead.
• Ewers connected with Greg Dulcich on an 11-yard touchdown with 1:43 remaining in the half, capping a 9-play, 76-yard drive that stretched the lead to 17-7.
• Tampa Bay’s offense went silent in the second quarter, managing zero points and allowing Miami to seize all momentum heading into the break.

3rd Quarter — Buccaneers Chip Away

• Chase McLaughlin converted a 33-yard field goal at 3:49, cutting the deficit to 17-10.
• The Buccaneers’ defense held Miami scoreless in the third quarter, giving their offense a chance to climb back into the game.
• Tampa Bay’s 13-play, 50-yard drive ate over eight minutes of clock, but they couldn’t find the end zone.

4th Quarter — Late Drama Falls Short

• Riley Patterson added a 31-yard field goal at 14:15 to push Miami’s lead to 20-10.
• With 50 seconds remaining, Mayfield connected with Mike Evans on a 4-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 20-17 after a 3-play, 91-yard drive.
• The onside kick attempt failed, and Miami ran out the clock to secure the victory.

Detailed Team Player Statistics

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Statistics

Data from FantasyData box score

Baker Mayfield delivered one of his best statistical performances of the season, completing 75% of his passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns. 

However, two interceptions and a lost fumble—including a critical pick by Ashtyn Davis with 7:05 remaining in the fourth quarter—undermined his otherwise stellar outing.

Chris Godwin Jr. eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time this season, hauling in 7 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. His 59-yard reception on the final Buccaneers touchdown drive was a game-changing play that nearly forced overtime.

Jalen McMillan recorded his first career 100-yard game, finishing with 7 receptions for 114 yards on 9 targets. The rookie wideout continues to develop into a reliable weapon for Mayfield.

Mike Evans was held to just 3 catches for 31 yards, but his 4-yard touchdown grab with 50 seconds left gave Tampa Bay a fighting chance.

Miami Dolphins Player Statistics

Passing data from FantasyData; receiving data from ESPN play-by-play

Quinn Ewers made his second career start and delivered a poised performance, completing 63.6% of his passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions (118.0 passer rating). 

The rookie quarterback showed excellent touch on the deep ball, hitting Theo Wease Jr. in stride for a 63-yard score.

De’Von Achane was the engine of Miami’s offense, rushing 18 times for 83 yards (4.6 YPC) against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked run defense. He also contributed 29 receiving yards, giving him 112 total yards from scrimmage.

Theo Wease Jr. made the most of his lone catch—a 63-yard touchdown that tied the game in the first quarter and announced Ewers’ arrival as a legitimate NFL starter.

Greg Dulcich added an 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, giving Ewers his second scoring pass of the day.

Statistical Leaders Summary Table

Analytical Breakdowns

Why Miami Won

Turnover-Free Football

The Dolphins protected the football all afternoon, committing zero turnovers while forcing three Buccaneers miscues. The turnover battle was the single most decisive factor in a game decided by three points.

Efficient Rookie Quarterback Play

Quinn Ewers didn’t need to do too much—he simply avoided mistakes and delivered when it counted.Smart choices and two well-placed touchdown throws were the foundation of his 118.0 passer rating. 

He didn’t force throws into coverage, and his 63-yard strike to Wease Jr. changed the game’s momentum instantly.

Strong Ground Game

Miami rushed for 145 yards at 4.8 yards per carry, controlling the clock in critical moments and keeping Tampa Bay’s defense honest. Achane’s 83-yard performance was particularly impressive against a Buccaneers run defense that entered the game ranked seventh in the NFL.

Why Tampa Bay Lost

Costly Turnovers

Three turnovers—two Mayfield interceptions and a strip-sack fumble—derailed what was otherwise an explosive offensive performance. The most damaging was Ashtyn Davis’s interception with 7:05 left in the fourth quarter, which killed a potential game-tying drive.

Inability to Run the Football

Tampa Bay managed just 53 rushing yards on 16 carries (3.3 YPC). Bucky Irving, the team’s lead back, gained only 19 yards on 9 carries. Without a functional ground game, the Buccaneers became one-dimensional, allowing Miami’s pass rush to pin their ears back.

Red Zone Inefficiency

The Buccaneers settled for a field goal on one of their three red zone trips, leaving points on the board in a game decided by a single score. When you outgain your opponent by 82 yards and lose, red zone execution is almost always the culprit.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

These two Florida rivals met for the first time in 2025, with the Dolphins taking the only regular-season matchup. The Buccaneers now trail the all-time regular-season series 5-7. Miami’s victory also snapped a two-game losing streak to Tampa Bay dating back to 2021.

Advanced Statistical Insights

Assist-to-Field-Goal Ratio: Tampa Bay’s offense operated at a high level between the 20s, but their inability to convert yards into touchdowns proved fatal. The Buccaneers averaged 6.1 yards per play compared to Miami’s 4.9, yet they scored fewer points. 

That inefficiency in the red zone (2-for-3) and the turnover margin created a statistical anomaly—a team that dominated total yards and time of possession still lost.

Third-Down Defensive Clutch: Miami’s defense allowed a 46.2% conversion rate on third down, but they forced punts on four of Tampa Bay’s six failed third-down attempts. 

More importantly, they held the Buccaneers to just 3 points in the second and third quarters combined, giving the Dolphins offense a cushion to work with.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for Miami Dolphins (7-9)

• Quinn Ewers’ two-touchdown performance provides a huge confidence boost heading into the offseason. The rookie showed he can manage a game and make big plays when needed.
• Miami’s run game (145 yards) proved they can compete with physical defenses, a positive sign for 2026.
• The Dolphins finish the season with momentum, having won two of their last three games.

What This Means for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

• The loss drops Tampa Bay to 7-9, keeping their playoff hopes alive only if they beat Carolina in Week 18 and get help.
• Turnovers have plagued the Buccaneers all season—they must clean up ball security to have any chance at a postseason run.
• The rushing attack (53 yards) is a major concern. Without a balanced offense, Mayfield is forced to carry too much of the load.

Key Lessons from the Match

• Turnover differential is the single most predictive stat in close games—Miami’s +3 margin was the difference.
• Rookie quarterbacks can win when they play mistake-free football and let the run game do the heavy lifting.
• Red zone efficiency matters more than total yards—Tampa Bay learned this the hard way.
• A strong ground game travels well; Miami’s 145 rushing yards neutralized Tampa Bay’s defensive strength.
• Special teams matter: both kickers were perfect, but Miami’s extra possession from the onside kick recovery sealed the win.
• Depth at wide receiver wins games—Godwin and McMillan both went over 100 yards for Tampa Bay, but it wasn’t enough.

FAQ

Who won the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins game?

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 on December 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium.

What were Baker Mayfield’s stats in the Buccaneers vs Dolphins game?

Baker Mayfield completed 33 of 44 passes for 346 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 16 yards.

How did Quinn Ewers perform against the Buccaneers?

Quinn Ewers, a rookie, had a passer rating of 118.0 after completing 14 of 22 passes for 172 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Who led the Buccaneers in receiving against the Dolphins?

Jalen McMillan led Tampa Bay with 7 receptions for 114 yards, while Chris Godwin Jr. added 7 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown.

What was the key stat that decided the game?

Turnovers were the difference—Miami had zero turnovers while Tampa Bay committed three (two interceptions and one fumble), leading to 10 points for the Dolphins.

How many rushing yards did De’Von Achane have?

De’Von Achane rushed 18 times for 83 yards (4.6 YPC) and added 29 receiving yards for 112 total scrimmage yards.

Conclusion

The tampa bay buccaneers vs miami dolphins match player stats paint a picture of a game won not by the team with more yards, but by the team that made fewer mistakes. 

Miami’s rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers played within himself, the ground game produced 145 punishing yards, and the defense forced three critical turnovers. 

Tampa Bay’s aerial attack was prolific—Mayfield threw for 346 yards and two Bucs receivers topped 100 yards—but costly miscues and a nonexistent running game proved fatal. I

n the NFL, efficiency and ball security almost always outweigh raw yardage, and the Dolphins executed that formula to perfection in Week 17.