Rosen gets start in Dolphins' 16-14 loss to Buccaneers
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Miami coach Brian Flores gave second-year quarterback Josh Rosen a shot against Tampa Bay's first defensive unit and liked what he saw.
Rosen was a surprise starter and went 10 for 18 for 102 yards during the first half in the Dolphins' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Friday night.
"I thought he played well, made some good decisions out there," Flores said. "He was into the game. He was ready to go. I thought he did a good job in the huddle, getting the play calls in. I thought he played well from that standpoint."
Rosen, battling with 15-year veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for the Dolphins' starting job, helped Miami to a pair of field goals and a 6-3 halftime lead. He was sacked three times.
"I would like to not see him take as many sacks," Flores said. "But I thought he threw the ball well, had some drops. That didn't help him."
Fitzpatrick, who spent the previous two seasons with Tampa Bay, entered to start the second half and completed 3 of 9 passes for 20 yards before being replaced by Jake Rudock five minutes into the fourth quarter.
Fitzpatrick is expected to start next week's game against Jacksonville.
Tampa Bay rookie Matt Gay had two field goals, including a go-ahead 48-yarder with 6 seconds to play.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston played one series for the second consecutive week, completing 2 of 4 passes for 24 yards. He is in the final year of his rookie contract at a salary of nearly $21 million.
The Dolphins got within 13-12 on an 8-yard strike from Rudock to Patrick Laird with 34 seconds remaining in the fourth period. Rudock then put the Dolphins up 14-13 by hitting Trenton Irwin for the 2-point conversion.
"Most teams, when you give up that touchdown and 2-point conversion, you go in the tank," Bucs coach Bruce Arians said. "Offensive guys had a plan, they were ready to go. They went and won the game. Winning is fun in this league."
The Buccaneers had a no-pass-interference call overturned after a video review with 3:36 left in the fourth that led to a tiebreaking touchdown. After the penalty on Tyler Patmon for interfering Justin Watson put the ball on the Miami 4, Ryan Griffin connected with Tanner Hudson for a 13-6 lead on the next play.
Arians opted to have his regulars play less than they might normally in a second preseason game because of the work done during joint practices with the Dolphins on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Miami's Jason Sanders made second-period field goals from 45 and 49 yards, the final one coming with 1 second remaining.
Gay kicked a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter. Cairo Santos tied it at 6 with a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
GETTING THE "W''
Arians got his first win with the Buccaneers. He's back on the sideline after a year of retirement.
FLAGFEST
One week after having 14 penalties for 112 yards at Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay had eight more for 81 yards Friday night. "A continuation of the dumbest penalties by our second and third group," Arians said. "They're lucky we don't cut tomorrow."
The Dolphins lost 122 yards on 13 penalties.
ROOKIE REPORT
Dolphins WR Preston Williams was targeted six times but made just one catch for 7 yards. The undrafted player had four receptions for 97 yards in last week's game against Pittsburgh.
INJURIES
Dolphins: RB Kenyan Drake (right foot) didn't play.
Buccaneers: LB Lavonte David (knee) remains out.
NEXT UP
Dolphins: return home to play Jacksonville on Thursday night.
Buccaneers: host Cleveland next Friday night.
