Dolphins May Make Bucs Defense Look Good
December 26th, 2025
Every little bit helps.
This game just might be exactly what the doctor ordered for Bucs coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Even when Tua was the Dolphins’ quarterback and even before the Dolphins decided to tank the season and possibly try to trade up in the draft for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Dolphins have been poor at converting third downs, according to Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis.
Miami has converted a league-worst 25.7% (18 of 70) of third downs since Week 9.
The Bucs defense can use all the help it can get.
While the defense, specifically the pass defense, has been downright sad (again), the Bucs aren’t horrible on third-down defense and rank No. 23 in preventing conversions.
No, that’s not good but it could be a whole lot worse.