Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted a two-point conversion pass and recorded a sack and forced fumble in a win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Juanjo Martin/EPAAlex ButlerSun, November 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM UTC·3 min readMIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Minkah Fitzpatrick prowled the end zone paint, pounced for an interception and ran 98 yards the other way to deny game-tying points, helping the Miami Dolphins hold off the New Orleans Saints on Sunday for their fourth win in five games.
The Dolphins, who held a 16-0 lead in the first half, scored just one touchdown, but forced two turnovers -- not including Fitzpatrick's interception of a two-point conversion attempt -- in the gritty 21-17 triumph in Miami Gardens, Fla.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I really appreciate how much this defense has been fighting," said Fitzpatrick, who logged a forced fumble and a sack "We obviously had a really rough start to the season, but what I appreciate is that, through our downs and low period, we were sticking together.
"We weren't pointing fingers. .. We've been seeing a gradual incline."
Dolphins defenders swarmed the Saints throughout the first half, silencing their attack, but neither team ever found a groove offensively. Constant pressure led to four Dolphins sacks and a long day for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, but a hectic fourth quarter made home fans sweat.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"You try not to get caught up in the style of victory," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.
Running back De'Von Achane, who totaled 134 rushing yards, ripped off a 29-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the day to give the Dolphins a lead they never lost. Kicker Riley Patterson added nine more points through three second quarter field goals for a 16-0 lead at halftime.
The Saints, who totaled just 63 yards through the first two quarters, opened the second half with a 65-yard touchdown drive. The score -- a 17-yard pass from Shough to Chris Olave -- paired with a two-point conversion, cut their deficit in half.
Patterson added another field goal with 9:39 remaining to recreate a two-possession advantage. But Saints kicker Charlie Smyth drilled a 56-yarder -- the first field goal of his career -- on the next possession.
The Saints defense prevented a fourth-down conversion by the Dolphins on the next possession. Shough followed with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele about five minutes later, making the score 19-17.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFitzpatrick snatched Shough's next pass for his game-breaking interception before running the other way to give two points to the Dolphins.
Seconds later, Smyth completed a successful onside kick. But the Dolphins' defense stopped Shough short on a fourth-down conversion attempt in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 12 of 23 passes for 157 yards and an interception. He also failed to throw a touchdown pass for the fourth time in seven games.
Chop Robinson totaled 1.5 sacks for the Dolphins. Fellow linebacker Bradley Chubb and defensive tackle Zeek Biggers logged a sack and half sack, respectively. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks totaled a dozen tackles.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShough completed 26 of 38 passes for 239 yards and two scores. He also threw an interception to Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas and lost a fumble through a Fitzpatrick strip-sack.
The Dolphins (5-7) will look for their fourth consecutive win when they take on the New York Jets in an AFC East matchup at 1 p.m. EST Dec. 7 in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Saints (2-10), who have lost six of their last seven games, will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 in Tampa, Fla.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
