The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) head to South Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins (6-9) in a Week 17 intrastate matchup on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with both teams out of playoff contention but looking to end the season on a high note. The Buccaneers, coming off a loss to the Panthers, aim to build momentum for 2026 under a potential new coaching regime, while the Dolphins seek to snap a potential skid and evaluate young talent like QB Quinn Ewers in a low-stakes environment. This rivalry often features high totals, but defensive improvements and weather could keep scoring in check. Below is a fully detailed preview covering all aspects.
Venue Location
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. This outdoor venue, home to the Miami Dolphins, seats approximately 65,326 fans and features a natural grass surface, known for its tropical setting but occasional rain impacts in winter games.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. CT).
Broadcast: FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Jen Hale (field reporter)
Weather Updates
Miami Gardens will see typical late-December warmth, with daytime highs around 77°F and lows near 69°F. Expect overcast or partly cloudy skies with a chance of patchy rain (up to 20%), winds at 10 mph from the south, and humidity around 59-70%. Cloud cover could reach 50%, with low UV index (3). The natural grass surface should hold up well, but any showers could make it slick, favoring shorter passes and ball control—comfortable for players but monitor for scattered precipitation affecting grip.
Injury Report
Both teams are navigating injuries, with Tampa Bay dealing with key absences on offense and defense that could limit explosiveness, while Miami’s report focuses on running back and defensive depth.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) did not practice and is questionable. Wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) did not practice and is questionable. Linebacker Lavonte David (knee) did not practice and is questionable. Offensive lineman Ben Bredeson is questionable (undisclosed). Defensive back Zyon McCollum is questionable (undisclosed). These could strain the passing game and run defense if not cleared.
Miami Dolphins: Running back De’Von Achane is on the report and questionable (undisclosed). Running back Ollie Gordon (ankle) is full participant. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (shoulder) is limited. Cornerback Isaiah Johnson (knee) did not practice and is questionable. These issues could limit the ground game and secondary depth.
Player Matchups
This Florida rivalry could hinge on Tampa Bay’s passing attack exploiting Miami’s secondary, with injuries adding uncertainty to key battles.
TB QB Baker Mayfield vs. MIA S Jalen Ramsey: Mayfield’s efficiency (top-15 in passing yards) tests Ramsey’s coverage—Ramsey must shadow Evans or Godwin (if active) to limit big plays.
MIA QB Quinn Ewers vs. TB LB Lavonte David: Ewers’ arm (260 yards in recent game) faces David’s tackling (if cleared from knee)—David must contain short passes and scrambles.
TB RB Rachaad White vs. MIA DL Christian Wilkins: White’s ground game challenges Wilkins’ run-stopping—key if Achane sits, shifting focus to Miami’s front.
MIA WR Jaylen Waddle vs. TB CB Zyon McCollum: Waddle’s speed vs. McCollum’s man coverage (if active)—potential for chunk yards if McCollum is limited.
TB WR Mike Evans vs. MIA CB Kendall Fuller: Evans’ size (if cleared from collarbone) vs. Fuller’s agility—could open red-zone opportunities.
These matchups favor Tampa Bay if Evans and Godwin play, but Miami’s secondary could force turnovers if the Bucs’ line falters.
Recent Team Forms
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last 5 games): L-W-L-L-W (hypothetical based on trends; 4-11 ATS overall, under in 4 of last 5 road games). Form shows defensive grit in wins but offensive inconsistencies in losses (under 20 PPG in defeats).
Miami Dolphins (last 5 games): L-L-W-L-L (7-8 ATS overall). Form highlights struggles, with losses including to Bengals, but wins over lesser foes—defensive highs in victories but breakdowns allowing high scores in defeats.
Series History
Tampa Bay leads recent matchups, going 6-1 SU in the last 7 games against Miami. The Buccaneers are 6-1 ATS in those, with the UNDER hitting in 4 of the last 5 road games for Tampa Bay. All-time, the series is closer, but Tampa Bay has dominated since 2013, with games averaging moderate scoring (largest margin 31 points in a Bucs win).
Betting Trends
Buccaneers: 4-11 ATS overall, 6-1 SU in last 7 vs. Dolphins, UNDER in 4 of last 5 road games. Dolphins: 7-8 ATS overall, +210 ML underdogs. Game-Specific: Buccaneers 5-0 ATS in last 5 as favorites vs. Dolphins; UNDER in 4 of Buccaneers’ last 5 on the road; public on Buccaneers -4.5, sharps on UNDER due to defensive trends.
BUCCANEERS NOTES:
• QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 145 yards & TD & had 49 rush yards in Week 16. Has TD pass in 14 of his past 15 games & aims for 4th in row on road with TD pass. Had 327 pass yards & 3 TDs for 118.1 rating in last game vs. Mia. (11/24/19 w/ Cle.). • RB BUCKY IRVING led team with 71 rush yards in Week 16. Aims for 8th in row with 70+ scrimmage yards. • RB RACHAAD WHITE has 50+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. • RB SEAN TUCKER had rush TD in Week 16 & aims for 4th in row with rush TD. • WR MIKE EVANS had 2nd TD catch this season in Week 16. Had 113 rec. yards & 2 TDs in last game vs. Mia. (10/10/21 w/ TB). • WR EMEKA EGBUKA ranks 2nd among rookies with 910 rec. yards & 6 TD catches this season. • NT VITA VEA had PD in Week 16. Had half sack in last meeting. • LB LAVONTE DAVID led team with 10 tackles & sack in Week 16. Has 8+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 on road. Had sack in last meeting. Ranks 2nd with 1,705 tackles & 177 TFL since 2012. • LB HAASON REDDICK has TFL in 2 of his past 3. Ranks 9th with 19 FFs since 2017. Had half sack & FF in last game vs. Mia. (1/5/25 w/ NYJ). • LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS had 8 tackles & sack in Week 16. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games. • CB JACOB PARRISH (rookie) had 5 tackles & 2 PD in Week 16. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 games on road. Has 5+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 on road. Ranks tied-7th among rookies with 6 PD in 2025. • CB JAMEL DEAN had PD in Week 16. Had 2 PD & INT in last meeting. • CB BENJAMIN MORRISON (rookie) had season-high 7 tackles & had PD in Week 16. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. has 6+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 on road. • S TYKEE SMITH had PD in Week 16 & aims for 5th in row with PD.
DOLPHINS NOTES:
• QB QUINN EWERS (rookie) completed 20 of 30 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 260 yards in 1st career start in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd in row with 60+ comp. pct. • RB DE’VON ACHANE led team with 90 scrimmage yards (81 rush, 9 rec.) & had rush TD last week. Ranks 5th in NFL with 1,726 scrimmage yards in 2025. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his past 7 & has rush TD in 3 of his past 4. • RB JAYLEN WRIGHT had 53 scrimmage yards (35 rush, 18 rec.) & rush TD in Week 16. Has 50+ scrimmage yards & rush TD in 2 of his past 3. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE had 5 receptions for 72 yards last week. Has 5+ receptions & 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 at Hard Rock Stadium. Had 31 rec. yards in last meeting. • WR MALIK WASHINGTON had 32 scrimmage yards (23 rec., 9 rush) & rec. TD in Week 16. Has 30+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 at Hard Rock Stadium. • LB JORDYN BROOKS led team with 14 tackles & had PD last week. Leads NFL with career-high 169 tackles in 2025. Is only player with 8 games with 12+ tackles this season. Aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles & PD. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Had 16 tackles, TFL & PD in his only career game vs. TB (11/13/22 w/ Sea.). • LB BRADLEY CHUBB had 4 tackles in Week 16. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 at Hard Rock Stadium. Had TFL in his only career game vs. TB (9/27/20 w/ Den.). • LB CHOP ROBINSON had half sack last week. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4. • LB TYREL DODSON had 8 tackles in Week 16. Aims for his 7th in row at Hard Rock Stadium with 8+ tackles. Had 5 tackles in his last game vs. TB (10/26/23 w/ Buf.). • DT ZACH SIELER had sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row with sack. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6. • CB RASUL DOUGLAS had 6 tackles & PD in Week 16. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Had 8 tackles & 2 PD in his last game vs. TB (9/25/22 w/ GB).
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 5.5
Miami Dolphins 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 27, 2025
