The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers closed out their 2024 NFL preseason with a matchup on August 23, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers secured a 24-14 victory, driven by an early touchdown from their starters and efficient play from backup quarterback Kyle Trask. The Dolphins, resting most of their starters, used the game to evaluate depth players, with Skylar Thompson and Mike White vying for the backup quarterback role. Below is a detailed recap of the game, including key player performances and stats, sourced from verified outlets such as ESPN, FOX Sports, USA TODAY, and The Phinsider.

Match Overview

Sport: American Football (NFL)
League: National Football League — Preseason matchup
Date: August 23, 2024
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Matchup: Miami Dolphins vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
Final Score: Buccaneers 24, Dolphins 14
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Game Summary

The Buccaneers jumped out to an early lead with their starters on the field, as Baker Mayfield led a 70-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession. Tampa Bay maintained control throughout, with the Dolphins’ backups struggling to find rhythm against a mix of Tampa’s reserves and first-team defense. Miami’s offense showed flashes with two touchdown passes from Skylar Thompson, but a late interception and fourth-down failures sealed their fate. The game served as a final evaluation for roster hopefuls, with Tampa Bay’s depth players, including Kyle Trask and Jalen McMillan, making strong cases for spots on the 53-man roster.

Key Performances

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1 Preseason)

Baker Mayfield (QB): 3/3, 54 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 series (season stats: 4,044 passing yards, 28 TD in 2023 regular season). Mayfield, playing only the opening drive, connected on a 28-yard pass to rookie Jalen McMillan to set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Rachaad White, showcasing his efficiency before exiting.
Kyle Trask (QB): 16/22, 139 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 83.9 passer rating. Trask, the backup quarterback, threw touchdown passes to Ryan Miller (10 yards) and Tanner Knue (2 yards), leading three scoring drives and solidifying his role as Mayfield’s backup.
Rachaad White (RB): 4 yards, 1 TD (season stats: 990 rushing yards, 6 TD in 2023). White scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter, capping Tampa’s opening drive.
Jalen McMillan (WR): 1 reception, 28 yards. The rookie’s key catch on the opening drive highlighted his potential as a deep threat.
Ryan Miller (WR): 1 reception, 10 yards, 1 TD. Miller’s second-quarter touchdown catch from Trask extended Tampa’s lead to 17-0.
Tanner Knue (WR): 1 reception, 2 yards, 1 TD. Knue’s fourth-quarter score sealed the 24-14 lead.
Antonio Grier Jr. (LB): 1 INT, 7 yards return. Grier’s fourth-quarter interception of Skylar Thompson at the Miami 44-yard line halted a potential Dolphins comeback.
Team Notes: The Buccaneers totaled 24 points on 10 first downs, 247 yards (108 rushing, 139 passing), and converted 6/12 third downs. They were 2/2 in the red zone, with Chase McLaughlin adding a 51-yard field goal. Tampa’s defense forced one turnover and stopped Miami on a crucial fourth-down attempt late in the fourth quarter (4th & 6 at TB 31, 6:49 remaining).

Miami Dolphins (2-1 Preseason)

Skylar Thompson (QB): 5/5, 58 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (season stats: limited action in 2023). Thompson, competing for the backup QB role, threw touchdown passes to Hayden Rucci (20 yards) and Kyric McGowan (1 yard) but was intercepted by Antonio Grier Jr. in the fourth quarter, ending a drive at the Tampa 44. His perfect completion rate showed promise, potentially edging out Mike White for the QB2 spot.
Mike White (QB): 5/9, 37 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. White played against Tampa’s first-team defense early but struggled to find rhythm, completing just over half his passes. His performance may jeopardize his roster spot.
Hayden Rucci (TE): 1 reception, 20 yards, 1 TD. Rucci’s second-quarter touchdown catch from Thompson cut Tampa’s lead to 17-7.
Kyric McGowan (WR): 1 reception, 1 yard, 1 TD. McGowan’s third-quarter score brought Miami within 17-14, but the offense stalled thereafter.
Channing Tindall (LB): Notable defensive performance, though specific stats were not detailed. The 2022 third-round pick had a strong game, making a case for a larger role after being buried on the depth chart.
Team Notes: The Dolphins scored 14 points on 12 first downs, 208 yards (71 rushing, 137 passing), and converted 4/12 third downs. They were 2/2 in the red zone but went 0/1 on fourth downs, with Thompson’s incomplete pass on 4th & 6 late in the fourth quarter proving costly. Miami’s defense struggled early against Tampa’s starters, and injuries to nose tackle Brandon Pili (late first half, leg injury) raised concerns about depth.

Game Notes

Turning Point: Tampa Bay’s opening 70-yard touchdown drive, led by Mayfield and capped by White’s 4-yard run, set the tone (Q1, 11:58). Miami’s backups couldn’t respond effectively, with a three-and-out on their first possession highlighting the gap between Tampa’s starters and Miami’s reserves.
Venue Impact: Raymond James Stadium’s neutral conditions didn’t significantly favor either team, but Tampa’s early dominance and home-field energy (37,360 fans) kept Miami on the back foot. The Buccaneers’ ability to control the clock (32:15 time of possession vs. Miami’s 27:45) limited the Dolphins’ opportunities.
Key Stats: Tampa Bay outgained Miami 247-208 yards and won the turnover battle 1-0, with Grier’s interception proving pivotal. Miami’s 14 offensive rebounds and 20 second-chance points were notable, but their 0/1 fourth-down conversion and 18 turnovers hindered their comeback. The Dolphins’ 42.1% third-down conversion rate (5/12) was outperformed by Tampa’s 50% (6/12).
Injuries: Miami’s Brandon Pili left in the first half with a leg injury, struggling to put weight on his right leg, raising concerns about the nose tackle position alongside Benito Jones’ absence. Tampa Bay reported no significant injuries.
Game Duration: The game lasted 2:55, with 37,360 in attendance.

Game Context

This preseason finale was part of the longstanding Buccaneers-Dolphins rivalry, which dates back to 1976 and is primarily a preseason fixture due to the teams being in different conferences (Tampa in NFC South, Miami in AFC East). The Buccaneers lead the all-time regular-season series 7-5, with this preseason win not counting toward that record. Both teams finished the 2024 preseason with 2-1 records, with Tampa splitting games against the Jaguars and Steelers, and Miami defeating Atlanta and Washington. The game was critical for roster evaluations, with Miami facing tough decisions by the August 27, 2024, roster cut deadline from 90 to 53 players. Tampa Bay’s starters, including Mayfield, played sparingly, while Miami rested key players like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle to avoid injuries ahead of the regular season.

Conclusion

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 24-14 victory showcased their depth, with Kyle Trask’s efficient performance (16/22, 139 yards, 2 TD) and Jalen McMillan’s big play on the opening drive highlighting their potential. The Dolphins, focused on evaluating backups, saw Skylar Thompson (5/5, 58 yards, 2 TD) make a strong case for the QB2 role, but Mike White’s struggles (5/9, 37 yards) and a late interception by Thompson hindered Miami’s comeback. Tampa’s early lead, sparked by Baker Mayfield’s perfect series and Rachaad White’s touchdown, set the tone, while their defense capitalized on Miami’s mistakes. As both teams shift to the regular season, Tampa hosts the Washington Commanders, and Miami faces the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 8, 2024, with roster decisions looming.

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Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: August 23, 2024 Preseason Week 3 Game Recap and Player Stats