TAMPA, Fla. — Several of the Dolphins’ top stars sat out the team’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday night, but a team led mainly by reserves and roster longshots was able to secure a 26-24 win in Mike McDaniel’s head-coaching debut.
A 53-yard go-ahead field goal by kicker Jason Sanders gave the Dolphins a 26-24 lead with 6:53 remaining in the game and Tampa Bay kicker Jose Borregales missed a 49-yard field goal as time expired to preserve the Miami victory.
Over 20 Dolphins players were sidelined, most notably expected starters such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Xavien Howard.
In the first game action for McDaniel’s new scheme, the offense — even with primarily backups throughout the night — showed its potential, as well as room for improvement going forward.
Skylar Thompson, the team’s seventh-round pick, started at quarterback and played the entirety of the game. He finished 20 of 28 with 218 yards and one touchdown, a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. in the second quarter.
The Dolphins’ running game, however, didn’t get off to as good of a start. Three returning offensive linemen — left guard Liam Eichenberg, right guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Austin Jackson — started the game and played a few series before sitting for the night. Miami, which ranked 30th in rushing, gained just 49 yards on 15 carries.
The offense was 2 for 10 on third downs and 0 for 2 in the red zone. The team’s reserve offensive linemen struggled in pass protection at times, allowing three sacks total.
The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 33-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders but went down 14-3 after allowing consecutive scoring drives to the Buccaneers.
The Dolphins responded with 20 unanswered points to take a 23-14 lead, assisted by a pair of turnovers. An acrobatic interception by safety Elijah Campbell set up Thompson’s touchdown pass to Bowden on the following play. On the ensuing drive, inside linebacker Sam Eguavoen scored on a 33-yard fumble recovery, picking up a loose ball on as trip sack by outside linebacker Darius Hodge, giving the Dolphins a 20-14 lead at halftime.
Ten straight points by the Buccaneers gave the Dolphins a 24-23 deficit in the fourth quarter but Thompson led the offense on a 12-play, 60-yard drive to set up the go-ahead field for Sanders, who made all four of his attempts and two over 50 yards.
