The Miami Dolphins vs Texans match player stats from the December 15, 2024 matchup at NRG Stadium offer a clear look at how individual performances shaped a 20‑12 Houston Texans win in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season. While Miami’s offense had more total yards, turnovers and efficiency ultimately swung the game in Houston’s favor.
Game Overview & Final Score
On December 15, 2024, the Texans defeated the Dolphins 20‑12 in a competitive regular‑season contest. Houston took advantage of key turnovers and effective short‑field offense to secure the victory despite Miami gaining more total offense.
Quarterback Performances
Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
-
Completions/Attempts: 29/40
-
Passing Yards: 196
-
Touchdowns: 1
-
Interceptions: 3
-
Sacks: 3 (24 yards lost)
The Dolphins’ starting QB had a mixed night — steady yardage but three costly interceptions and a fumble, stalling drives and giving Houston valuable field position.
C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
-
Completions/Attempts: 18/26
-
Passing Yards: 131
-
Touchdowns: 2
-
Interceptions: 0
-
Sacks: 4 (27 yards lost)
Stroud delivered an efficient outing with two touchdown passes to WR Nico Collins, taking advantage of Dolphins’ mistakes.
Running Game Stats
Miami Dolphins
-
Total Rushing Yards: 52
-
Rushing Attempts: 19
-
Avg. Per Rush: 2.7 yards
The Dolphins managed limited success on the ground, contributing to their second‑half struggles to sustain drives.
Houston Texans
-
Total Rushing Yards: 77
-
Rushing Attempts: 20
-
Avg. Per Rush: 3.9 yards
Houston’s balanced rushing attack helped control short downs and kept Miami’s pass rush honest.
Receiving Leaders
Texans – Nico Collins
-
Receiving Touchdowns: 2
Collins was the primary impact player for Houston’s passing game, hauling in both of Stroud’s touchdown passes and proving to be a focal target in the red zone.
Dolphins – Receiving Contributions
While detailed individual yardage breakdowns for Dolphins were not fully published in some sources, the team’s receiving corps had sporadic gains, including a scoring connection from Tagovailoa to Jonnu Smith late in the game.
Turnovers & Defense
Texans Defensive Standouts
-
Derek Stingley Jr.: 2 interceptions
-
Calen Bullock: 1 interception
The Texans’ defense was pivotal, forcing three interceptions and turning Miami’s mistakes into momentum‑shifting opportunities. Houston capitalized on these takeaways to secure point opportunities and maintain control.
Miami Dolphins Defense
The Dolphins defense performed well in limiting yardage overall but could not compensate for offensive turnovers, which proved decisive in the final outcome.
Scoring Summary Highlights
-
Texans: Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn opened scoring with a 44‑yard field goal before adding another later in the first half.
-
Texans: C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 6‑yard touchdown that gave Houston a lead they did not relinquish.
-
Dolphins: Jason Sanders connected on 55‑ and 36‑yard field goals to keep Miami competitive.
Team Offensive Comparisons
Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the Dolphins actually outgained the Texans in total offense:
-
Miami Total Yards: 224
-
Houston Total Yards: 181
This highlights how turnovers and efficiency (especially scoring off Houston’s takeaways) tipped the balance even when Miami generated more offense.
Key Takeaways from the Stats
-
Efficiency Over Volume: The Texans made the most of limited yardage, scoring efficiently when opportunities arose.
-
Turnovers Drumbeat: Miami’s four turnovers — including interceptions and a lost fumble — were the most significant factor in the result.
-
Quarterback Impact: Stroud’s accuracy and aggressive red‑zone play contrasted with Tagovailoa’s costly errors.
Conclusion
The Miami Dolphins vs Texans match player stats from December 15, 2024 tell a compelling story: despite generating more total yards, Miami’s turnovers and inefficiencies allowed the Texans to prevail 20‑12. C.J. Stroud’s two touchdown passes to Nico Collins and Houston’s opportunistic defense were key determinants, while the Dolphins’ missed chances underlined the importance of ball security and situational execution in the NFL.