Dolphins Outlast Saints in Week 13 Shootout, Win 41–34 at Hard Rock Stadium

MIAMI, FL - The Miami Dolphins shook off the rust of a bye week and survived a late push from the New Orleans Saints, pulling out a 41-34 win in a back-and-forth Week 13 battle at Hard Rock Stadium.

Miami entered the game at 9-2 and showed why they remain one of the league's most dangerous offenses, answering nearly every Saints score with one of their own. New Orleans, coming in at 6-5 and fresh off a win last week, refused to fold, cutting into the deficit late before Miami sealed the outcome.

Early Fireworks Set the Tone

The opening quarter hinted at the chaos to come. New Orleans struck first on an 8-yard rushing touchdown, but Miami quickly answered with a 47-yard field goal before ripping off a 97-yard touchdown run that electrified the crowd and swung momentum.

The Saints responded with another short rushing score late in the quarter, sending the teams into the second tied and setting the stage for a high-scoring affair.

"We knew this wasn't going to be a slow game," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. "Both teams were aggressive, and it turned into a possession-by-possession fight."

Dolphins Gain Control Before Halftime

Miami leaned on efficiency in the second quarter, finding the end zone on a one-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa before adding another short rushing score just before halftime. New Orleans countered with a long field goal, keeping things within reach but heading to the locker room trailing.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen praised his team's resilience. "We took some punches early and kept answering," Allen said. "That's the type of effort we expect, especially this time of year."

Explosive Third Quarter Turns the Game

The third quarter delivered some of the game's biggest swings. New Orleans briefly pulled even with a passing touchdown, but Miami responded with a two-point conversion and then blew the game open on a 58-yard touchdown run that brought the stadium to its feet.

"That was the moment," Dolphins running back De'Von Achane said. "Once we hit that run, the sideline felt it."

Saints Rally Falls Just Short

New Orleans refused to go quietly in the fourth. A deep touchdown pass narrowed the gap, and a late field goal brought the Saints within striking distance with under four minutes to play.

Miami answered with a clutch field goal to extend the lead back to seven, forcing New Orleans into desperation mode. The Saints drove into scoring range once more but were unable to find the end zone, allowing Miami to escape with the win.

"Proud of how we fought," Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler said. "But against a team like that, you can't leave points out there."

Up Next

The Dolphins hit the road in Week 14 for a divisional matchup against the New York Jets. The Saints also travel in Week 14, heading to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers.