In Miami Gardens, Florida, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers showcased his talent in a thrilling performance, throwing for 172 yards and delivering two touchdowns. His impressive 63-yard pass marked his first career touchdown, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 20-17 victory over the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The Buccaneers, now with a 7-9 record, find themselves trailing the Carolina Panthers (8-8) in the NFC South standings. Despite the Panthers’ 27-10 loss to Seattle on the same day, Tampa Bay still has a chance to secure their fifth consecutive division title and clinch a playoff spot. A win against Carolina in the upcoming regular-season finale would seal their path to the postseason.

However, the Buccaneers’ recent form raises concerns, as they have suffered four straight defeats and have lost seven of their last eight games. During this challenging stretch, their losses have consistently been narrow, with each of the last four games decided by a single possession.

On Sunday, Tampa Bay struggled with three turnovers and was outperformed on the ground, gaining only 53 yards compared to Miami’s 145. Despite these setbacks, the Buccaneers mounted a late rally with a swift 91-yard drive in just three plays. Baker Mayfield connected with Mike Evans for a 4-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to three points with just 54 seconds remaining.

A breakdown in Miami’s defense allowed Chris Godwin to make a crucial 59-yard catch, setting up the touchdown. However, the Dolphins managed to recover the ensuing onside kick, thwarting Tampa Bay’s hopes of a comeback and securing their victory.

Mayfield completed 33 of 44 passes for 346 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Godwin on the game’s opening drive. The former No. 1 pick has thrown an interception in each game of the Buccaneers’ losing streak, including two on Sunday. The first was an underthrow to receiver Jalen McMillan that was picked off by rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.

The second came as the Buccaneers were driving down the field midway through the fourth, trailing by 10. Mayfield, one play after somehow escaping a sack attempt by Quinton Bell and completing an 11-yard pass to Evans, threw a red-zone interception to safety Ashtyn Davis.

After the Buccaneers forced a Dolphins punt, linebacker Bradley Chubb stripped Mayfield on a sack, which Bell recovered.

Ewers completed 14 of 22 passes in his second career start for the Dolphins (7-9), who have already been eliminated from the playoffs. Rookie receiver Theo Wease Jr. took Ewers’ first TD pass 63 yards into the end zone, and tight end Greg Dulcich caught an 11-yard scoring pass.

Running back De’Von Achane had 18 carries for 83 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked run defense.

The Buccaneers took an early lead on a 16-play touchdown drive on their first possession of the game but gave up 17 straight points before Chase McLaughlin’s 33-yard field goal cut the deficit to seven points in the fourth.

McLaughlin had connected on 11 straight field goals from 55-plus yards entering Sunday but had a 55-yard attempt blocked late in the second.

Ewers led the Dolphins back down the field to set up Riley Patterson’s 33-yard kick that pushed the score to 20-10.

Injuries

Buccaneers: G Michael Jordon (concussion) and LB Haason Reddick (concussion) left with concussions and did not return. … CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) left early in the fourth.

Dolphins: LB Chop Robinson (concussion), LB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring) and LB KJ Britt (groin) left with injuries. … WR Jaylen Waddle was playing through a rib injury.

Up next

Buccaneers: Host Carolina next weekend.

Dolphins: At New England next weekend.