Miami rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers threw the first two touchdown passes of his career and the Dolphins’ defense forced three turnovers to lead them to a 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon at Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Buccaneers (7-9) lost their fourth game in a row but were not eliminated since Seattle beat Carolina on Sunday. Tampa Bay will have one final chance to make the playoffs if it can beat Carolina at home next week and thereby clinch the NFC South. Each of Tampa Bay’s last four losses have been by four points or fewer.
Ewers completed 14 of 22 passes for 172 yards and no interceptions, and finished with a 118.0 passer rating in his second career start after replacing Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins (7-9), who are not in playoff contention, snapped a two-game losing streak.
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 33 of 44 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns, but threw a pair of costly interceptions and lost a fumble.
Mayfield tried to rally Tampa Bay late, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans with 50 seconds left.
But the ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Dolphins to seal the outcome.
Down 20-10, Tampa Bay had chances to mount a comeback earlier in the fourth quarter that were thwarted by Mayfield giveaways in Dolphins’ territory.
On first down at the Miami 32, Mayfield’s deep pass looking for Emeka Egbuka was intercepted by Ashtyn Davis with 6:56 left.
After forcing a three and out, the Bucs again drove into Dolphins’ territory. But Mayfield was sacked by Bradley Chubb, fumbled, and the ball was recovered by Quinton Bell at Miami’s 41 with 3:55 left. Chubb finished with two sacks and Tyrel Dodson also had one.
The Dolphins held the Bucs to only 53 yards rushing. Jalen McMillan totaled a career-high seven catches for 114 yards, and Chris Godwin had seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown.
De’Von Achane led Miami on the ground again with 83 yards on 18 carries.
The Dolphins’ special teams also made a key stop just before halftime. Leading 17-7, Zeek Biggers blocked a 55-yard field-goal try by Chase McLaughlin with 20 seconds remaining before the half.
Ewers’ first career touchdown pass came with 4:29 left in the first quarter on a 63-yard connection to fellow rookie Theo Wease, who caught his first career touchdown.
