Looking for Answers

Looking for Answers

The Miami Dolphins head into the final week of the 2025 season carrying the weight of a year that never quite found steady ground. Sitting at 7–9, Miami’s journey has been defined by flashes of talent, stretches of frustration, and a lingering sense that more was possible. That feeling was on full display in last week’s second-to-last matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that demanded grit and resolve as the Dolphins fought through four quarters to stay competitive and close out their home schedule.

Against Tampa Bay, Miami showed the kind of toughness that had been missing at times earlier in the season. The offense leaned on its speed and versatility, mixing the run and pass effectively and sustaining drives when execution mattered most. Defensively, the Dolphins played with urgency, tightening up in key moments and forcing the Buccaneers to earn every yard. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a composed one, the kind that reflected growth, especially from younger players who were asked to shoulder larger roles as the season wore on. The result didn’t change Miami’s postseason fate, but it offered a reminder of what this team can look like when effort and focus align.

Now, all attention turns to the final game of the year against the New England Patriots, a familiar opponent that has long represented one of Miami’s toughest tests. Playing the Patriots to close the season always brings added significance, regardless of records, and this year is no different. For Miami, this finale is about pride, evaluation, and momentum. A win would end the season on a high not bringing this season’s record to  8–9. 

The matchup presents a contrast in motivations. New England will look to finish strong and reinforce its identity, while Miami aims to prove that its rebuilding pieces can compete with a disciplined, physical opponent. For the Dolphins’ coaching staff, this game is a final opportunity to assess progress, from quarterback decision-making to defensive consistency, before turning the page to the offseason. For the players, it’s a chance to put one last, meaningful performance on film and to show that the lessons learned throughout the year have not been lost.

As the Dolphins take the field one last time this season, the stakes go beyond the standings. The outcome against the Patriots will not define 2025 on its own, but it can shape how the season is remembered, either as another year of unanswered questions or as a foundation quietly being set for what comes next.