The Miami Dolphins survived some incredible late-game madness in week thirteen to outlast the New Orleans Saints by a score of 21-17 to win their third straight game — pulling their record to 5-7 after starting the season a woeful 1-5.
After taking a 16-0 lead at half, the Dolphins’ offense managed to put just three points on the scoreboard during the final two quarters of play, while the Saints — led by rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and 2024 7th-round wide receiver Devaughn Vele — put up 17 second-half points, and were a 2-point conversion away from tying the game late. That attempted pass from Shough was intercepted by Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and returned all the way for the rare Pick-2 to give Miami a four-point lead.
Everything played out normally from there, right?
Wrong.
The Saints would immediately recover an onside kick after officials deemed the football touched by a Miami player. Needing a touchdown to win (thanks to those two points scored by Fitzpatrick), the Saints found themselves attempting a 4th & 1 conversion with a little over 30-seconds remaining to keep their hopes alive. Shough went for the quarterback sneak, but was stuffed short of the first-down marker.
And just like that, the Dolphins eked out the not-so-easy win to claim victory for the third straight contest.
GOOD
De’Von Achane tops 1,000 rushing yards on the year
While there have been plenty of disappointments in 2025 for the Miami Dolphins, third-year running back De’Von Achane isn’t one of them. On Sunday against the Saints, he carried the ball 22 times for 134 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He was nearly the entire offense for a struggling Miami squad.
Such has been the case for the entire year, as Achane now has 1,034 rushing yards on the season — his first time surpassing the 1,000 yard rushing mark in his young career.
Ricky Williams’ franchise record 1,853 rushing yards put up in 2002 is likely safe, however Achane could find himself sitting at #2 on that all—time list if he can muster just 67.6 rushing yards per game to close the year and surpass Williams’ 1,372 rushing yards in 2003.
BAD
Offensive line can’t protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
The New Orleans Saints came into week thirteen with just 24 sacks on the season — a number that had them ranked 17th in the National Football League in that category. Against the Miami Dolphins offensive line, New Orleans notched another four quarterback takedowns — giving Tua Tagovailoa fits throughout the entire contest.
The ever-dominant Cameron Jordan had two sacks. Bryan Bresee had one, and so did Chase Young.
With a quarterback as injury-prone as Tagovailoa, allowing him to be hit as often as he was against the Saints was certainly not the gameplan heading into the clash. If Miami wants to keep their oft-concussed signal-caller on the field through the end of the season, offensive line coach Butch Barry better get his players to step it up as soon as this coming Sunday when the team travels to play the New York Jets.
UGLY
Tua Tagovailoa’s 2025 struggles continue
Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, did not play his best football on Sunday against the Saints. The 27-year-old completed just 12 of 23 passes on the day, good for just 157 yards and no touchdown throws. He did toss another interception, however — this time to cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Tagovailoa now has thrown 14 interceptions on the year — tied for his most in any season since he was drafted with the 5th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His significant regression has been alarming, especially considering the fact that the team signed the quarterback to a four-year, $212.4 million deal with over $167 million guaranteed ahead of the 2024 season.
A player who once led the league in passing yards (2023) and the following year in completion percentage (2024), Tagovailoa’s dreadful 2025 season is one that could lead the team to explore options at the position in the near future.
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The Dolphins have won three games in a row and find themselves with a 5-7 record after winning their game against the Saints in week thirteen. It was one of those wins that doesn’t leave fans feeling warm and fuzzy heading into the following week. However, if they can go on the road and defeat the Jets, they’ll have a chance to get back to .500 the next week when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Do you think this team has what it takes to do just that? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
