Crucial turnovers derail the Bucs again. Interceptions sealed another frustrating loss and a losing regular-season record. However, the Bucs can still win the NFC South with a win next week in the season finale.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are somehow still alive for an NFC South title, and that’s about the only positive that came from Week 17 of the NFL season.
Playing a 6-9 Miami Dolphins team that was using a rookie QB drafted in the seventh round, Tampa laid an egg, falling 20-17.
It was Tampa’s seventh loss in the last eight games. The only win during that span was a three-point squeaker over the lowly 3-12 Arizona Cardinals at home.
To put it frankly, Tampa Bay doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. But because the Carolina Panthers fell to the Seattle Seahawks 27-10, Tampa will win the division if it beats Carolina at home Saturday at 4:30.
Dolphins QB Qwinn Ewers wasn’t spectacular against Tampa, but he was good enough, ending the day 14-for-22 with 172 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
For Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield went a respectable 33-for-44 for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Mayfield also threw two interceptions— one that set up a Miami touchdown in the second quarter and one that ended any realistic chance of a Bucs comeback late.
Tampa got the scoring started in the first quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin that capped a 14-play, 68-yard scoring drive that took 7:27.
Miami answered with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Theo Wease Jr.
The Dolphins later took their first lead of the day on a field goal by Riley Patterson.
Miami added on late in the first half with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ewers to Greg Dulcich. The toss capped a nine-play, 76-yard drive that took 4:14. This drive was set up by Mayfield throwing an interception to Miami’s Jason Marshall Jr., which gave the Dolphins the ball at its own 24.
Miami led 17-7 at the break. Ewers ended the half 10-for-15 with 144 yards and two touchdowns.
In the second half, the teams exchanged field goals, giving Miami a 20-10 lead.
With less than seven minutes to go in the game, Tampa drove to the Miami 32. But Mayfield’s second interception— this one to Miami’s Ashtyn Davis— virtually put the game to bed.
Tampa did score one last touchdown with 50 seconds left on a pass from Mayfield to Mike Evans, but it was too little, too late.
Jalen McMillan had 114 yards on seven catches for Tampa Bay. Otherwise, the offense didn’t get much done, with the team rushing for just 53 yards on 16 carries.
Update: Tampa Bay-Carolina is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30.