The Miami Dolphins stayed on their winning roll to improve to 5-7, staving off a comeback attempt by the New Orleans Saints in a 21-17 win.
The Dolphins have now won three straight and four of their past five. With five games left to play, Miami needs to win out and get help in order to truly be a part of the playoff picture. But, after a 1-6 start to the 2025 season, it's at least a bit of a conversation.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith another win in the books, let's dive into three postgame overreactions:
The Dolphins' defense is now its best side of the football
Nov 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) carries the ball after making an interception as New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Dillon Radunz (77) attempts to make the tackle during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesIt's honestly a little wild to even write or say it in a serious manner, but are the Dolphins now a better defensive football team than they are offensively? Outside of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, it hasn't been a murderer's row of opposing quarterbacks during this successful five-game stretch.
The Dolphins have been fortunate to run into Falcons backup Kirk Cousins, Commanders backup Marcus Mariota, and Saints rookie Tyler Shough, but give Miami credit where credit's due. Against that list of quarterbacks, the Dolphins should have enjoyed strong defensive performances. And Miami has.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, the Dolphins' defense again set the tone by forcing four first-half Saints punts and coming away with two takeaways. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick helped put the game away by intercepting a Saints two-point conversion try and racing it back the other way for two points for the Dolphins. New Orleans had just 63 yards of total offense in the first half, which was a historic low for the Saints.
And, of course, Miami had the final turnover on downs to put the win away.
Early this season, the Dolphins' defense was an embarrassment. It's been a nice turnaround on the defensive side of the football for Miami.
Miami needs to keep embracing who it is
Nov 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) hands off to running back De'Von Achane (28) against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn ImagesLike every NFL head coach, the Dolphins' Mike McDaniel wants to lead an explosive, take-the-top off offensive outfit that can also turn and find chunks in the ground game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSunday was another reminder that the Dolphins just aren't that team with its current collection of pass-catchers and a starting quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa who continues to author a disappointing 2025 season. After Tagovailoa's interception on Sunday, the Dolphins' sixth-year signal-caller now has 14 interceptions this season, which has Tagovailoa neck-and-neck with the Raiders' Geno Smith for the league-lead in that dubious category.
Tagovailoa finished 12-of-23 passing for 157 yards with an interception.
If the Dolphins are going to keep winning football games to close 2025, Miami will need to do something that it might not necessarily want to do: they have to take the football out of Tagovailoa's hands and lean on the run game, defense and special teams.
De'Von Achane topped the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the first time in his NFL career after rushing for 134 yards and a score on 22 carries against the Saints.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Dolphins' first offseason priorities should be Jordyn Brooks and De'Von Achane extensions
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Jordyn Brooks #20 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a tackle against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)Even after a rough start to this 2025 campaign, there's been some key storylines unfolding for the Miami organization. This late-season defensive resurgence has been important. Achane's season has been huge as well.
Miami linebacker Jordyn Brooks is leading the NFL in tackles and Achane is enjoying his finest professional campaign. The Dolphins need to make extending both Brooks and Achane its first order of offseason business.
After this season, Brooks will have one year remaining on his current deal which carries a $10.8 million cap hit for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Achane will be entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Don't overthink it. Get the deals done and extend arguably your two best players.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 3 overreactions after Dolphins escape with win vs. Saints
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