MIAMI GARDENS — It took a stop on a 2-point conversion and another stop after an onside kick against the lowly New Orleans Saints, but the Miami Dolphins stacked another win to keep miniscule playoff hopes alive.
Running back De’Von Achane rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went the other way on an interception of a late 2-point conversion and the Dolphins stood tall on a fourth-and-1 sneak in an ugly 21-17 win over the Saints on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
If the Dolphins had a college football playoff committee to impress, they wouldn’t have earned any style points, but in the NFL, all that matters is to come away victorious.
“You try not to get caught up in the style of victory, because the idea is to end the game with more points than the opponent,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “When you’re able to win, you learn form the negative, the positive, and the bottom line is we have more reason, more conviction to stay together.”
Miami (5-7), coming back from its bye week, extended its winning streak to three as the team entered the Week 13 slate of games three games out of an AFC wild-card playoff spot.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was just 12 of 23 for 157 yards and an interception, as his team, which once led by 16 points, did not score a touchdown after the opening offensive series to nearly blow the advantage.
“It definitely starts with me, starts with my performance with how I distribute the ball, how I operate the guys,” Tagovailoa said of the offensive effort that wasn’t prolific through the air.
Saints rookie Tyler Shough was 26 of 38 for 239 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a fumble lost.
Miami’s defense forced the two takeaways, plus an additional one on Fitzpatrick’s interception of Shough that he took all the way back to the Saints’ end zone for 2 points for Miami.
As New Orleans trailed, 19-11, Shough threw a 15-yard touchdown to the back of the end zone to wide receiver Devaughn Vele with 1:17 remaining before the pivotal 2-point try. Instead of 19-19 or 19-17, it was 21-17 after Fitzpatrick’s key return as the Saints executed an onside kick. A Dolphins player was said to have touched the kick, allowing New Orleans to retain possession before the ball traveled 10 yards.
But Shough was stuffed by Chop Robinson on a sneak attempt on fourth-and-1 that sealed the outcome. Had Fitzpatrick not picked up the 2 points, New Orleans could’ve lined up for a long game-winning field goal.
“That’s just the name of the game, the name of playing defense,” Fitzpatrick said about having to go back out for one final stop. “No matter how many times that we’re called upon, we’ve got to go out there and make stops. I think really good defenses, whenever there’s a change in possession or a turnover, they play really good defense during those next plays.”
After the Dolphins built a 16-0 halftime lead, the Saints got back into it with a touchdown to start the second half.
Shough threw to Chris Olave, who beat cornerback Rasul Douglas with a double move, for a 17-yard touchdown. The Saints made it a one-possession game, 16-8, when Shough ran in a 2-point conversion.
After the teams exchanged field goals earlier in the fourth quarter, the Saints got the ball back with 3:01 remaining once Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon was stopped for a loss on fourth-and-1.
The Dolphins started the scoring on their opening possession Sunday with Achane, who eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season, taking a carry down the right sideline 29 yards for a touchdown where he had blocks set up for him off pre-snap motion going in that direction.
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Early in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick forced a fumble on a strip-sack on Shough and defensive tackle Zach Sieler recovered it.
But Tagovailoa gave it right back on the following play, throwing to Jaylen Waddle in the end zone and intercepted by Saints defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The swap of turnovers occurred between a pair of Dolphins field goals from kicker Riley Patterson, of 39 and 25 yards.
Before the end of the half, Patterson booted a 48-yarder to make the Miami lead 16-0 at halftime.
“We got to capitalize on third down and, down in the red zone, we got to score points,” Achane said. “I feel like as an offense, we have to do better. We don’t want to put our defense in that position even though they played a great game. I feel like down the line, if we want to win big games, on offense we’ve got to step up.”
It was set up by Douglas intercepting Shough as, out on the boundary, he undercut an out pattern by Olave coming from the slot.
Douglas’ return of 38 yards put Miami in New Orleans territory before running a few plays to then run the clock down and spike before Patterson’s kick.
Along with Fitzpatrick’s sack that resulted in a turnover, Robinson had 1 1/2 sacks as he had his first start of the season and second of his career. He split one sack with defensive tackle Zeek Biggers. Veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb also recorded a sack.
The Dolphins next go on the road against the New York Jets (3-9).
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) lines up a play pre-snap against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) celebrates a sack against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field after the win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and GM Champ Kelly celebrate the win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (9) and Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) celebrate Fitzpatrick’s interception at the end of the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel congratulates Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) after his interception of a two-point conversion attempt by the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field after the win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, left, and CEO Tom Garfinkel celebrate a interception in the closing minute against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) runs back an interception on a New Orleans Saints two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel takes the field for the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs in a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller indicates a first down against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) intercepts a pass against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zeek Biggers (93) celebrates a sack of New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller catches a pass for a first down against New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defense celebrates a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs in a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) celebrates a second quarter interception against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is seen before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel meets with officials before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (31) signs for fans before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins fans in rain gear ask for autographs before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller stretches in the rain before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) works out in the rain before the game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) lines up a play pre-snap against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)