Week 17 Game Recap: Buccaneers could not look worse in 20-17 loss to Dolphins

First Quarter:

On Sunday, the Buccaneers were once again in a familiar position for the 2025 season— Win against an “inferior” team to keep your playoff hopes alive. After an opening drive that concluded in a Miami punt, the Buccaneers’ offense cruised down the field sprinkle in doses of Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker, Jalen McMillan, and then ultimately Chris Godwin snagged a contested catch in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. 7-0, Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay giveth and then they taketh away. 7-0 transformed into 7-7 in less than a blink as Quinn Ewers found Theo Wease Jr. for a wide open deep touchdown. Todd Bowles’ defense in 2025 has been poor, Sunday’s opening quarter made sure to keep that trend alive and well.

Second Quarter:

The Buccaneers began the second quarter in much more familiar fashion for the 2025 season. The Bucky Irving-centric offense failing to net any success and the team needing to punt. Miami’s offense took the field backed up, but no worry they would just be a few handoffs and missed tackles away from midfield. Midfield was only a wide open running lane away from the a first and goal. On the doorstep of another touchdown, Miami got a bit cute in their play calling— attempting the three play sequence of a shovel pass, tight end screen, and then a second consecutive tight end screen. Tampa’s defense engineered a goal line standing, holding the Dolphins to three. 10-7, Miami.

One Baker Mayfield toss-up interception later, fans got to see more Miami offense and more missed tackles. Quinn Ewers’ began making his claim to join the elite pantheon of Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, and Bryce Young as chefs who invited Todd Bowles into their kitchen. Ewers ripped his second touchdown pass of the day, over the middle of the field, like a dagger into Todd Bowles’ job security. 17-7, ‘72 Dolphins.

Tampa Bay had the half-hearted response of an attempted but ultimately missed field goal attempt, leaving the score at 17-7 during the intermission.

Third Quarter:

The intermission ended but poor Floridian football did not. Tampa Bay’s first drive out of break was a punt. Miami’s first drive of the second half— A punt. Limping back on the field to try and find some semblance of success. Mayfield and the Buccaneers moved, sluggishly, down the field. Of course, while the team did make it to the redzone they stalled upon arrival. A short field goal that was set up by perhaps the ugliest fumbled pass attempt and subsequent recovery the NFL has seen this season.

Chase McLaughlin, righting his wrong from the end of the first half, was good on his kick. 17-10, Dolphins.

Fourth Quarter:

Todd Bowles’ illustrious Tampa Bay Buccaneers were immediately down by another 10 points the moment the fourth quarter got underway. The Dolphins’ offense, continuing to massage Todd Bowles into an early retirement, put their second field goal of the game through the uprights. 20-10, Dan Marino’s squad.

With the Dolphins backed up inside their own five-yard line, Tampa seized the opportunity by allowing a first down, giving the Dolphins enough room to comfortably punt the ball. Taking back over at the 20 with a few ticks more than eight minutes left on the clock, the Bucs’ offense needed their best drive of the day. They got— an interception. Baker Mayfield’s second pick of the day on a down field pass to Emeka Egbuka had to have Tampa Bay fans’ eyes rolling as late-game interceptions have become a bit of a Baker Mayfield theme down the stretch of the season.

Tampa’s defense needed and got their team a stop on the Dolphins’ next drive. Rest assured though, the Buccaneers would not be pulling out any late heroics because while Baker Mayfield would not go on to throw a third interception, there are multiple ways to turn it over. The Buccaneers’ next drive would be wrapped up by a Baker Mayfield fumble. The game would tighten up, closing out at 20-17, following a garbage time explosion. A three-play touchdown drive featuring all the superstars of yesteryear. 20-17, Dolphins victory.

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