Saints vs. Dolphins final score, immediate reactions as Miami holds on for tight win

Saints vs. Dolphins final score, immediate reactions as Miami holds on for tight winStory byKevin NogleSun, November 30, 2025 at 9:13 PM UTC·10 min read

The Miami Dolphins hosted the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, sneaking out with a win as the Saints tried to make a comeback at the end of the game. This game featured just about everything, including a defensive two-point conversion and a recovered onside kick.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Miami jumping out to an early lead, but allowing the Saints back into the game in the second half. The defenses of both teams were the story of the game, with big plays being made by both teams to try to keep the game close.

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In the end, Miami held on just enough to come up with the win, improving to 5-7 on the season and winning their third-straight contest. The Saints fell to 2-10 with the loss.

Final Score

Saints 17 – 21 Dolphins

Reactions and Recap

First quarterDolphins first possession

The Dolphins opened the game with the ball, and they immediately started moving it downfield. Starting at their 31-yard line after a strong return from wide receiver Malik Washington, running back De’Von Achane established Miami’s momentum with an eight-yard run. Running back Jaylen Wright made a rare early-game appearance on the second snap, adding eight yards of his own. After quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked for an eight-yard loss, the quarterback found tight end Darren Waller, making his return from the injured reserve list, for 13 yards. A bad snap on the next play, with Tagovailoa having to pick it up off the ground, still turned into a 19-yard gain as the quarterback connected with Washington. The drive ended with a 29-yard run from Achane to the endzone.

What a start! The Dolphins to overcame a sack and a bad snap to never miss a step, which is not something we have seen in a long time. Miami attacked on the ground and through the air, staying fairly well balanced on the six-play, 69-yard touchdown drive.

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Dolphins 7-0

Saints first possession

New Orleans opened at their 27-yard line, but could not gain a first down. The three-and-out drive picked up eight yards, but defensive tackle Zach Sieler stuffed a second-down run for a one-yard loss and tipped the third-down pass just enough to keep the Saints from converting.

Okay defense. Keep that up all day.

Dolphins second possession

Miami did not have the same effectiveness on their second drive. Achane picked up two yards on the first play, but two incomplete passes on the next two snaps killed the drive and Miami punted.

Not the backup to the first drive that was wanted. Now the defense needs to step up. There was potential on the third-down pass attempt, but wide receiver Jaylen Waddle ran into Achane as they were running their routes and Tagovailoa threw to where he thought the receiver would be.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSaints second possession

The second Saints’ possession looked much like the first. On second down, linebacker Jordyn Brooks stuffed the run for a one-yard loss. On third down, linebacker Tyrel Dodson broke up the pass attempt from quarterback Tyler Shough to force a punt.

The defense is coming to play today. They are in position no matter what the Saints are trying to do. It is a small sample size, but so far the defense is making an impact.

Dolphins third possession

Miami’s third drive continued the three-and-out trends of this game. No gain on the first down run from Achane, with linebacker Danny Stutsman body slamming the running back on the tackle, was followed by a screen attempt to Washington that only gained a yard. After a penalty for 12 players in the huddle, the offensive line collapsed around Tagovailoa on 3rd-and-14, leading to a sack and a Miami punt.

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Miami cannot fall into the self-inflicted penalty habit they had early in the year. The defense is absolutely crushing it right now. The offense needs to wake up and find their rhythm.

Saints third possession

Running back Devin Neal picked up a yard on the first play, but rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers recorded a sack on the second-down play. On the 3rd-and-14, pass attempt, Shough found tight end Juwan Johnson for 11 yards, but the three-and-out fest continued.

The defense continues to be impressive. The Saints do not have an answer right now. Can Miami’s offense do something more than just punt like they are the Cleveland Browns?

Dolphins fourth possession

Miami ran four plays before the quarter ended: a 16-yard pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, Jr., a 34-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Waller, a nine-yard run from rookie running back Ollie Gordon II, and a five-yard run from Achane.

Second QuarterDolphins fourth possession (continued)

An Achane run for five yards was followed by two incomplete passes, one deep into the endzone toward Washington and one a throw away from Tagovailoa to avoid a sack. Miami settled for a field goal.

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Not the touchdown that would have been really nice there, but at least Miami put up some points. The offensive line needs to tighten up. The throwaway should have been a sack as the Saints had free rushers, and the Miami linemen were blocking air. Miami’s offense cannot have success if the Saints are in the backfield immediately on every single pass attempt.

Dolphins 10-0.

Saints fourth possession

New Orleans picked up their first first down of the game on the drive, moving out to the Miami 49-yard line, before safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sacked Shough, forcing a fumble that Sieler recovered for Miami.

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The defense continues to be a difference maker in this game. Great blitz from Fitzpatrick and Sieler was right there to scoop up the loose ball, gaining five yards on the return. Perfectly done.

Dolphins fifth possession

Tagovailoa looked deep toward Waddle in the endzone to open the drive, but floated the pass and it was picked off by cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Bad decision from Tagovailoa, plain and simple. He had Achane open on a wheel route for the checkdown, but he floated the pass into double coverage, hoping Waddle could make a play, but the receiver never had a chance. Bad choice.

Saints fifth possession

Shough ran for no yards on the first snap, then threw two incomplete passes to get New Orleans back to another three-and-out.

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The defense stepped up again. They really need the offense to step up as well.

Dolphins sixth possession

A kick-catch interference penalty on New Orleans gave Miami the ball near midfield to start the drive. Achane picked up 33 yards on three carries during the possession, while Wright added five yards and Gordon picked up two yards. Waddle caught a pass for four yards on a 3rd-and-3 conversion in the middle of the drive, but a pass targeting Achane on 3rd-and-Goal fell incomplete, leading to a Miami field goal.

Miami’s run game is cranking right now. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel needs to stick with it. Tagovailoa and Achane were just slightly out of sync on the third-down attempt, with the screen set up well but the ball off target.

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Dolphins 13-0.

Saints sixth possession

New Orleans was gifted a first down on the second play of the drive with a questionable illegal contact penalty called against Miami cornerback Rasul Douglas. After another first down, largely on the ground as running back Devin Neal found space, Shough threw to tight end Taysom Hill for five yards. On 2nd-and-5, Neal picked up a yard, setting up a 3rd-and-4 after the two-minute warning. Linebacker Chop Robinson jumped into the neutral zone after the break, giving the Saints a first down at the Miami 40-yard line. An eight-yard scramble from Shough continued New Orleans’ best drive, with Neal then converting the first down on an eight-yard run. After an incomplete pass, Shough looked toward wide receiver Chris Olave, but cornerback Rasul Douglas stepped up, picking off the pass and returning it 38 yards.

The defense gave up some yards, but they came away with the stop when it was needed. Great read from Douglas to know exactly where the ball was going and attacking the pass.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDolphins seventh possession

Starting at the Saints’ 33-yard line, Miami lost two yards on an Achane run before a pass to Washington added six yards. The Dolphins then let the clock run down to two seconds before a spike stopped the clock and allowed a field goal.

Not sure why Miami did not try to run at least one more offensive play, but they executed enough to get some points just before the half.

Dolphins 16-0

Third QuarterSaints seventh possession

New Orleans turned to the running and a high-tempo attack coming out of halftime, using Neal to gain 22 yards on five of the first seven plays. Shough threw one pass during the initial attack, finding wide receiver Devaughn Vele for 14 yards. After a run from running back Evan Hall for two yards, Shough threw to Vele for another 14 yards, with Miami challenging the catch but the call on the field standing. After a false start, Shough found Olave for a 17-yard touchdown, with Shough running it in on the two-point conversion.

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The Saints made an adjustment, using the tempo to keep the Miami defense from making substitutions, and the ground game to attack. The Dolphins will need to make an adjustment quickly.

Dolphins 16-8.

Dolphins eighth possession

Miami opened their second half with a nine-yard run from Achane. But then a run for no yards and an incomplete pass led to a punt. Tagovailoa rolled out on the third-down play, finding an open tight end Julian Hill on a crossing route, but threw the ball behind his target and leading to a three-and-out.

Tagovailoa’s accuracy is off today – and for a quarterback who makes his money based on his anticipation and accuracy, this is not a good game. He is 7-for-15 for 93 yards with an interception at this point, giving him a 39.0 passer rating. Miami’s offense is working on the ground, but Tagovailoa needs to figure something out if they are going to hold on to this lead.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSaints eighth possession

The Saints returned to their up-tempo attack, starting with the ball at their 10-yard line. Back-to-back passes to Vele for 14 and and 12 yards on the second- and third-plays of the drive moved New Orleans away from the goalline. After a run of one yard, Shough threw to tight end Juwan Johnson for 11 yards, getting New Orleans out to the 45-yard line. An incomplete pass, a false start, a sack by Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson, and a pass for four yards led to a Saints punt.

The defense started to look questionable, but then stepped up and shut down everything New Orleans wanted to do. Hopefully, that is the wake-up call they needed after struggling on the first drive.

Dolphins ninth possession

Miami shook up its play calling on its second drive of the half, attacking with both passes and runs. Wright opened the drive with a three-yard run, then Tagovailoa scrambled for three yards. On 3rd-and-4 from the 10-yard line, Tagovailoa threw to tight end Greg Dulcich for 21 yards. After a 14-yard pass to Waddle from Tagovailoa, Achane gained two yards on a run, with Washington then taking a backwards pass for a three-yard rush. Miami looked to pass on the 3rd-and-5 play, but Tagovailoa was sacked and the Dolphins were forced to punt.

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That looked like a great start to a long, time-consuming drive, only to have it fall apart and the Dolphins having to punt again. Miami cannot afford to continue to give away drives, relying on the defense to do all the heavy work. The Saints are a two-win team and the Dolphins are playing down to the competition right now.

Saints ninth possession

Neal picked up six yards on first down, leading to the end of the quarter.

Fourth QuarterSaints ninth possession (continued)

After the break, New Orleans picked up two yards on a Taysom Hill run, but Shough was sacked for a 10-yard loss by linebacker Bradley Chubb. The Saints punted.

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The defense again keeping the pressure on the Saints. Chubb’s sack was the fourth from Miami’s defense on the day. Now the offense needs to do something.

Dolphins tenth possession

The Dolphins opened with a near pick as Tagovailoa threw toward Waddle, but coming up short on the toss and New Orleans cornerback Quincy Riley trying to scoop the ball off the ground. After a Saints challenge and the play standing as an incomplete pass, Tagovailoa was able to throw a completion to Waddle for a 22-yard gain. Achane picked up 20 yards on three runs, but from the 10-yard line, Miami tried three-straight passes, with two incompletions and a sack, leading to a field goal.

The run is working, but McDaniel abandons it for the pass in the redzone. Why? Tagovailoa continues to struggle with accuracy today and Achane can power through the Saints defense. They need to get back to running the ball. Achane went over 100 yards rushing on the day and 1,000 yards rushing on the year during the drive, his first 1,000 yard season.

Saints tenth possession

The Saints started at their 26-yard line, then jumped out to the 50-yard line in six plays, converting first downs twice, including a six-yard pass from Shough to Johnson. Shough then threw to wide receiver Mason Tipton for 11 yards to move down to the Miami 39-yard line, with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick injured on the play. After an incomplete pass, a screen to Neal gained two yards. On 3rd-and-8, with Fitzpatrick back on the field, Shough overthrew Tipton, leading to a 56-yard field goal.

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The defense at least made a stop, but the Saints are having too much success right now. Miami’s offense needs to control the ball on this next drive, running the clock and ending this game.

Dolphins 19-11.

Dolphins 11th possession

Miami came out looking to run the ball, picking up six yards on first down and seven yards on second down with Achane. Tagovailoa threw to Dulcich for three yards on the subsequent first down, then turned back to Achane for three yards. Tagovailoa scrambled for three yards on third down, setting up 4th-and-1. Miami handed the ball to Gordon on the play, but the running back tried to cut back and was tackled for a loss.

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Gordon should have just tried to power through; he is the “power” back for a reason. Miami went away from Achane for some reason – not sure if he needs a breather or what, but they missed him on those last three plays.

Saints 11th possession

Taking over after the turnover on downs, New Orleans started at their 45-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Shough threw to Vele for 12 yards, only to have a holding penalty on the next play. On 1st-and-20, Shough threw to Vele for four yards before throwing a check-down to Neal for 10 yards. After the two-minute warning, facing 3rd-and-6, the Saints converted as Olave found space in the zone for a 16-yard gain. A quick slant to Vele gained eight yards before Shough threw a prayer into the endzone and Vele came down with the ball for the score. A false start on the Saints on the two-point conversion attempt pushed it back to the seven-yard line, with New Orleans throwing for the endzone, but Fitzpatrick intercepting the pass and returning it for the score.

The defense gave up the touchdown, which sucks, but the return from Fitzpatrick on the two-point attempt was fun.

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Dolphins 21-17.

Saints 12th possession

The Saints attempted the onside kick, with the referees ruling Miami touched the ball and New Orleans recovering the loose ball. New Orleans opened with a 10-yard pass to Olave, then another nine-yard pass, this one to Neal. After two incomplete passes, New Orleans attempted a quarterback sneak for the first down, with the Dolphins defense stuffing the run and taking over on downs.

I still have no idea how Miami was ruled to have touched the ball. It clearly skipped through the Dolphins – they should have grabbed it, but no one ever touched it – and there is no change of direction from the ball. That was a miserably bad call.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDolphins 12th possession

Tagovailoa knelt to kill the clock.

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