During the Miami Dolphins’ 24-14 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their preseason finale at Raymond James Stadium, a notable takeaway was the collective sigh of relief as the preseason concluded. The Dolphins were plagued by injuries, with wide receiver Anthony Schwartz and defensive tackle Brandon Pili sustaining potentially severe injuries in this game.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Washington was a bright spot for the Dolphins, showcasing his skills with two impressive returns and a dynamic 40-yard end-around. Quarterback Skylar Thompson also made a strong case for himself, possibly securing the backup quarterback spot after leading a successful touchdown drive, completing every pass attempt in that sequence.
The game began with a mostly second-string lineup for the Dolphins, as key players like Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill rested. The starting defensive lineup failed to hold back the Buccaneers’ starters, allowing a swift touchdown on a 70-yard drive.
On offense, Mike White started as quarterback but had mixed results. Despite some good throws, including a notable 40-yard run by Washington, the offensive line struggled, exemplified by multiple sacks and disrupted plays.
Linebacker Channing Tindall and safety Elijah Campbell stood out on defense, though the team generally struggled to inhibit Tampa Bay’s offense. Rookie Storm Duck got beat for a late second-quarter touchdown, making it a tough half ending at 17-0.
In the second half, the Dolphins faced numerous penalties but saw moments of promise, such as a touchdown drive capped by Thompson connecting with Kyric McGowan. Despite efforts to rally, Thompson’s interception late in the game sealed their fate.
With the preseason wrapped up and roster cuts looming, the Dolphins ended with a 2-1 record, setting their sights on the regular season ahead.