Miami Dolphins Summary

In a closely contested matchup, the Miami Dolphins narrowly defeated the New Orleans Saints 21 to 17 at Hard Rock Stadium in their Week 13 game on December 2, 2025. The Dolphins, coming off a bye week, extended their win streak to four games, showcasing resilience despite not having the smoothest victories throughout the season.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played a critical role, navigating the offense effectively and contributing to the team's overall performance, as reported by various sources including the Miami New Times. The defense, led by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick who made a crucial interception return, was instrumental in sealing the victory against the Saints, who ultimately dropped to a 2-10 record, effectively ending their playoff hopes (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from the Saints loss).

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expressed pride in his team's ability to withstand pressure and secure the win, while also addressing player injuries in his post-game comments (Dolphins McDaniel updates injuries).

The Saints' valiant comeback attempt fell short, highlighting their struggles throughout the season, particularly in key moments as noted in social media reactions post-game. The Dolphins' playoff chances remain slim, requiring them to win out and depend on favorable outcomes from other teams (Dolphins playoff chances after recent win).

After the victory, the Dolphins are being viewed as potential playoff contenders, though analysts caution that they are still considered long shots (The Dolphins might finally be in the hunt). In roster news, the Dolphins waived tight end Hayden Rucci earlier this week, who was subsequently claimed by the Detroit Lions (Lions claim former Dolphins tight end Hayden Rucci).

As the season progresses, the Dolphins are looking to build on their recent success, with key players stepping up and the coaching staff focused on maintaining momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.