Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans: A Statistical Deep Dive into the Match and Player Performance 2026

In the NFL, individual matchups between teams are defined not just by the final score, but by the performances of the players who take the field. When the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans faced off in Week 15 of the 2024 season at NRG Stadium in Houston, it was more than just another late-season game — it was a key contest with playoff implications and a showcase of how critical player performance can shape a game.

The final result saw the Texans come out on top with a 20-12 victory over the Dolphins. But beyond the scoreboard is a world of statistics that tell a deeper story of strategy, turnovers, momentum shifts, and individual achievements.

Final Score Summary

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Dolphins	0	6	6	0	12
Texans	3	10	7	0	20

The Texans led the game from start to finish, but the Dolphins stayed within striking distance until late. Despite Miami’s balanced offensive efforts, turnovers and a dominant Texans defense ultimately made the difference.

Team Performance Overview

To understand how the game unfolded, it’s critical to examine some of the key statistical areas that influenced the outcome:

✔ Total Yards & Possession

• Total Net Yards:
  • Dolphins: 224
  • Texans: 181
• Time of Possession:
  • Dolphins: 33:24
  • Texans: 26:36

Although the Dolphins controlled the clock and outgained the Texans in total yardage, Houston made more efficient use of its opportunities — particularly capitalizing on turnovers.

Passing Game Breakdown

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ passing attack was hampered by turnovers, finishing with 196 passing yards and 3 interceptions thrown by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His performance reflected a tough day against a physical Texans secondary that pressured Miami’s offense into multiple mistakes.

Houston Texans

The Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud managed the offense well, helping Houston sustain drives and deliver timely plays. Stroud effectively spread the ball to his receiving targets — particularly Nico Collins, who scored twice. While Stroud’s individual passing yardage wasn’t eye-popping, his execution in the red zone was critical.

Rushing Attack Analysis

The rushing performances for both teams were modest by NFL standards, but efficiency was key:

• Dolphins Rushing: 52 yards
• Texans Rushing: 77 yards

Miami’s ground game was led by De’Von Achane, whose explosive running style provided short bursts of yardage when needed. On the Texans’ side, contributions came from multiple runners, including Dare Ogunbowale, with a 35-yard run being one of the highlights of Houston’s day.

Receiving Leaders & Key Contributors

🌟 Nico Collins — Houston Texans

• Receiving TDs: 2
• Collins proved to be the primary downfield threat in the Texans’ offense. His ability to find space in the end zone was the difference in both touchdowns scored in the matchup.

🔥 Top Miami Dolphins Receivers

• Tyreek Hill had limited production with just 36 receiving yards — a testament to how well Houston’s defense played against Miami’s most explosive offensive weapon.

Other Dolphins contributors included Malik Washington, who chipped in with five receptions for meaningful yardage, showcasing Miami’s depth despite the turnovers suffered on offense.

Turnover Battle: The Game Changer

Turnovers can shift momentum like almost nothing else in football — and this game was no exception.

• Dolphins Turnovers: 4
• Texans Turnovers: 1

Houston’s defense capitalized on Miami’s mistakes, generating multiple interceptions — two of them by star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. — and forcing a fumble. Miami’s quarterback play was greatly affected by these changes in possession, swinging the momentum firmly in Houston’s favor.

Red Zone and Efficiency Metrics

In football, efficiency — especially in scoring positions — often dictates the final result.

Metric	Dolphins	Texans
Red Zone Opportunities	2	3
Red Zone Touchdowns	1	2
Third Down Conversion	5/13	4/13
Turnover Margin	−3	+3

The Texans made the most of their scoring opportunities, turning drives into points when it mattered most. Meanwhile, the Dolphins struggled to convert yardage into touchdowns, often settling for field goals or stalling after turnovers.

Defensive Impact Plays

While offense often gets the spotlight in NFL games, defense wins championships — or at least critical divisional games.

🛡 Houston’s Defense

• Turnovers Generated: 3 interceptions + forced fumble
• Key Interceptor: Derek Stingley Jr. (2 interceptions)
• The Texans defense made big plays that directly led to points or prevented Miami scoring opportunities.

🚫 Miami’s Defense

• Miami’s defensive unit did show resilience, holding Houston out of the end zone in the fourth quarter and forcing a field goal near halftime.
• However, key breakdowns in coverage on touchdown plays ultimately cost them momentum.

Historical Context: Dolphins vs. Texans Rivalry

Looking at the broader history between these two franchises offers valuable insight into the competitive nature of these matchups:

• The head-to-head all-time record favors Houston overall, with a 66.7% win rate against Miami.

Despite Miami’s recent success in some seasons, Houston has traditionally been a challenging matchup — particularly at home.

Player Notes and Game Highlights

📌 Tua Tagovailoa — Miami Dolphins

Tagovailoa’s three interceptions were uncharacteristic of his usual output and highlighted the Texans’ defensive scheme designed to pressure and confuse the Dolphins’ quarterback.

📌 De’Von Achane — Dolphins Running Back

Achane’s explosive running style provided Miami with its biggest rushing threat, though the overall rushing numbers were limited due to Houston’s strong front seven pressure.

📌 Nico Collins — Texans Wide Receiver

Collins stepped up emphatically with two game-deciding touchdowns, proving once again his role as one of Houston’s most reliable offensive weapons.

What the Stats Tell Us About Team Trends

🔍 Miami Dolphins

• Possession-oriented: Miami controlled the clock more often than not — a strategy built around patience and efficiency.
• Turnovers hurting results: Too many giveaways ultimately shortened possessions and prevented scoring drives.
• Passing struggles: While yardage was respectable, ball security was the biggest issue.

📊 Houston Texans

• Defensive dominance: Turnovers plus red-zone efficiency was the difference.
• Balanced offense: Though not explosive in yardage, Houston’s offense scored at key moments — especially in the red zone.
• Home advantage: Playing at NRG Stadium, the Texans showed a strong home performance advantage.

Looking Ahead: What Stats Mean for Future Matchups

Both teams will take plenty of lessons from this game:

➤ Miami Dolphins

• Needs to tighten ball security and improve quarterback protection.
• Defensive pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been effective at times — building on that strength could yield better outcomes.
• Improving red zone touchdown conversions, rather than settling for field goals, remains critical.

➤ Houston Texans

• Turnover creation needs to remain a priority — games can turn quickly at the NFL level.
• Continue developing reliable offensive weapons around Stroud for consistency.
• Defensive schemes that generated interceptions should be used as a blueprint for future matchups.

Conclusion

The Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans matchup in December 2024 was a compelling blend of strategy, athleticism, and pivotal moments decided by statistics. Houston’s ability to create turnovers and score in key situations offset the Dolphins’ yardage and possession control, resulting in a 20-12 victory for the Texans.

By looking at player stats, team trends, and historical context, it’s clear that while Miami has offensive firepower, Houston’s disciplined defense and opportunistic playmaking were the keys to victory. This game exemplifies how in the NFL, fundamentals and turnovers can outweigh raw yardage when it comes to deciding a winner.

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