Buccaneers 17–20 Dolphins: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2025

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 61.1% completion, +9.3% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +4.42 total passing EPA. Q. Ewers (Miami Dolphins), 53.8% completion, +0.4% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +4.38 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

C. Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.47 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.01 EPA): (1:50) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 14-C.Godwin to MIA 32 for 59 yards (40-W.Gay)..

Quick answer

Winner: Miami Dolphins
Final score: Miami Dolphins 20–17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Halftime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7–23 Miami Dolphins at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Chris Godwin
Top passer: Baker Mayfield
Biggest EPA play: (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2025-12-28

Game summary

The Miami Dolphins beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20–17 on 2025-12-28. Chris Godwin posted a game-high +8.47 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7	0	3	7	0	17
Miami Dolphins	7	16	0	3	0	20

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

MIA 5

TB 63

MIA 4

MIAMiami Dolphins

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 5:31TD
Chris Godwin
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 5
Score
6-0
(5:31) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 5:27XP
Chase McLaughlin
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
7-0
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 4:37TD
Theo Wease Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
TB 63
Score
7-6
(4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 4:29XP
Riley Patterson
Points+1
Yard line
TB 15
Score
7-7
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 8:23FG
Riley Patterson
Points+3
Yard line
TB 11
Score
7-10
(8:23) 47-R.Patterson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 1:46TD
Greg Dulcich
Points+6
Yard line
TB 11
Score
7-16
(1:46) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass short middle to 85-G.Dulcich for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 1:43TD
Riley Patterson
Points+7
Yard line
TB 15
Score
7-17
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 3:53FG
Chase McLaughlin
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
10-17
(3:53) 4-C.McLaughlin 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 14:19FG
Riley Patterson
Points+3
Yard line
TB 13
Score
10-20
(14:19) 47-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 0:54TD
Mitchell Evans
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 4
Score
16-20
(:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 0:50XP
Chase McLaughlin
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
17-20
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Chris Godwin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.47 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
2Jalen McMillan · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.85 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
3Theo Wease Jr. · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +6.16 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.16 EPA/play
4Greg Dulcich · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.27 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
5Baker Mayfield · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +4.42 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
6Quinn Ewers · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +4.38 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
7Jacardia Wright · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +3.39 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
8Sean Tucker · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Chris Godwin — TB · Receiving

Chris Godwin posted the highest total EPA (+8.47) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.06 EPA per play.

Chris Godwin's top snap (+3.01 EPA): (1:50) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 14-C.Godwin to MIA 32 for 59 yards (40-W.Gay).

Biggest single play (+6.16 EPA): Quinn Ewers — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Baker Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 54 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +9.3% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +4.42 total EPA
Quinn Ewers (Miami Dolphins) · 26 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · +0.4% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +4.38 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Miami Dolphins
Offensive EPA/play	+0.008	+0.046
Offensive success rate	51.9%	41.9%
Pass EPA/play	+0.082	+0.169
Rush EPA/play	-0.149	-0.041
Defensive EPA/play	-0.046	-0.008
Defensive success rate	58.1%	48.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.01, Miami Dolphins +0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +0.01 EPA/play (47th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
Miami Dolphins: +0.05 EPA/play (56th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)

Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, +3.42 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, +0.65 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chris Godwin (Baker Mayfield pass) (Q1 5:31)
Miami Dolphins — Theo Wease Jr. (Quinn Ewers pass) (Q1 4:37)
Miami Dolphins — Greg Dulcich (Quinn Ewers pass) (Q2 1:46)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mitchell Evans (Baker Mayfield pass) (Q4 0:54)

Field goals

Miami Dolphins — Riley Patterson (Q2 8:23)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q3 3:53)
Miami Dolphins — Riley Patterson (Q4 14:19)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the MIA 5 (Q1 5:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 5:27) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the TB 63 (Q1 4:37) — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 4:29) — 47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 16–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the TB 11 (Q2 8:23) — (8:23) 47-R.Patterson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the TB 11 (Q2 1:46) — (1:46) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass short middle to 85-G.Dulcich for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the TB 15 (Q2 1:43) — 47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the MIA 15 (Q3 3:53) — (3:53) 4-C.McLaughlin 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the TB 13 (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) 47-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the MIA 4 (Q4 0:54) — (:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 0:50) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Miami Dolphins (Q1 4:37) — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.16]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 7:05) — (7:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Davis at MIA 5. 21-A.Davis to MIA 26 for 21 yards (88-C.Otton). [WPA -9.7% · EPA -4.81]
Miami Dolphins (Q2 1:46) — (1:46) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass short middle to 85-G.Dulcich for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.56]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 4:04) — (4:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield sacked at MIA 40 for -9 yards (2-B.Chubb). FUMBLES (2-B.Chubb) [2-B.Chubb], touched at MIA 40, RECOVERED by MIA-56-Q.Bell at MIA 41. [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.39]
Miami Dolphins (Q2 9:02) — (9:02) (Shotgun) 85-G.Dulcich right tackle to TB 11 for -7 yards (5-H.Reddick). [WPA -8.4% · EPA -1.63]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Miami Dolphins (Q1 4:37) — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +6.16]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 4:04) — (4:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield sacked at MIA 40 for -9 yards (2-B.Chubb). FUMBLES (2-B.Chubb) [2-B.Chubb], touched at MIA 40, RECOVERED by MIA-56-Q.Bell at MIA 41. [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.39]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 7:05) — (7:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Davis at MIA 5. 21-A.Davis to MIA 26 for 21 yards (88-C.Otton). [WPA -9.7% · EPA -4.81]
Miami Dolphins (Q2 1:46) — (1:46) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass short middle to 85-G.Dulcich for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.56]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 5:31 · MIA 5 · Score 6-0
(5:31) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 5:27 · MIA 15 · Score 7-0
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 4:37 · TB 63 · Score 7-6
(4:37) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass deep left to 81-T.Wease for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 4:29 · TB 15 · Score 7-7
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 8:23 · TB 11 · Score 7-10
(8:23) 47-R.Patterson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 1:46 · TB 11 · Score 7-16
(1:46) (Shotgun) 14-Q.Ewers pass short middle to 85-G.Dulcich for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins TD (+7) — Q2 1:43 · TB 15 · Score 7-17
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 3:53 · MIA 15 · Score 10-17
(3:53) 4-C.McLaughlin 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 14:19 · TB 13 · Score 10-20
(14:19) 47-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 0:54 · MIA 4 · Score 16-20
(:54) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 0:50 · MIA 15 · Score 17-20
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Miami Dolphins earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Baker Mayfield (TB) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins on 2025-12-28?

The Miami Dolphins beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 in Week 17, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Miami Dolphins 7; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Miami Dolphins 16; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Miami Dolphins 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Miami Dolphins 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Godwin (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 5:31) Miami Dolphins touchdown — T. Wease (Q. Ewers pass) (Q1 4:37) Miami Dolphins touchdown — G. Dulcich (Q. Ewers pass) (Q2 1:46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 0:54) Miami Dolphins field goal — R. Patterson (Q2 8:23, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q3 3:53, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — R. Patterson (Q4 14:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 61.1% completion, +9.3% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +4.42 total passing EPA. Quinn Ewers (Miami Dolphins), 53.8% completion, +0.4% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +4.38 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins?

Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.47 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.01 EPA): (1:50) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 14-C.Godwin to MIA 32 for 59 yards (40-W.Gay)..

Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Miami Dolphins won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 7-8 Now 7-9 L

Miami Dolphins

Entered 6-9 Now 7-9 W

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins: 2025 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

Quick answer

Game summary