Despite the Dolphins being eliminated from the playoffs and having a calf injury, Minkah Fitzpatrick wants to play in Week 18.

Breaking down the matchups in six key areas ahead of the Week 18 game between the Dolphins and Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Darren Waller has been productive when on the field for the Dolphins, but it remains to be seen if he will continue playing in 2026. More at PFR.

After the Dolphins' first drive was undone by a holding penalty on their second play, the Buccaneers cruised down the field on a 14-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. While Miami forced a couple negative plays and a fourth down, Tampa Bay finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin.

Miami Dolphins' quarterback Quinn Ewers connects with wide receiver Theo Wease for the team's longest play of the 2025-26 season.

The first touchdown pass of Quinn Ewers' NFL career gave the Miami Dolphins one of their best plays of the 2025 regular season.

Benching Tua Tagovailoa didn't work for the Miami Dolphins, who lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 45-21 in Sunday's AFC showdown at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami fell to 6-9, while Joe Burrow and Cincinnati improved to 5-10 and snapped a two-game losing streak.

Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has a six-tackle lead over the Raiders’ Devin White for the league lead, has a hamstring injury but will work this week with the hope of playing in Sunday’s finale at New England (4:25 p.m., Fox).