The NFL's 2025 international series finale in Madrid, Spain pitted two 3-7 teams against each other, and that's exactly what it looked like. After a sloppy first half, the Miami Dolphins played a cleaner game in the second half and overtime to survive with a 16-13 victory to improve to 4-7 and send the Washington Commanders to a 3-8 record after their sixth consecutive defeat.
False start penalties, delay of game penalties and ill-timed sacks were regular occurrences in the first half for both teams, which is why the game was tied at six apiece at the half.
Both teams found the end zone in the second half with Washington scoring first on a 20-yard catch-and-run score by wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Miami countered with a one-yard rushing touchdown from rookie running back Ollie Gordon after a steady, 10-play scoring drive.
Late in the fourth quarter is when the Commanders' miscues began to pile up. On Washington's fourth-and-goal play from the 1, they got the look they wanted, but they failed to convert. The Commanders sent veteran tight end Zach Ertz in motion, but he tripped on his route off the snap. That led to quarterback Marcus Mariota's goal line pass whizzing by him for an incompletion and turnover on downs with 6:03 left to play.
Fast forward to just over four minutes remaining, and second-year corner and punt returner Mike Sainristil muffed the punt. Miami recovered, but then they were stonewalled on a fourth-and-goal run up the middle from the 1. However, they couldn't capitalize on the clutch defense since kicker Matt Gay's potential game-winning field goal attempt from 56 yards out sailed wide to the right.
In overtime, Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota made his worst decision of the day at the worst possible time. He threw both late and into a crowd of Dolphins defenders while targeting tight end Zach Ertz, which allowed Miami defensive back Jack Jones to easily pick off the throw. Kicker Riley Patterson's 29-yard field goal, his third make of the day, sent the Dolphins back to the United States a winner.
Here are three takeaways from Sunday morning's overtime action.
The Miami Dolphins looked primed to blow up their entire operation after firing general manager Chris Grier in-season after the team started 1-6. However, Miami has begun to right the ship with victories in three of their last four games including the stunning 30-13 Week 10 home win over the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins' longtime bully. Looking ahead to the Dolphins' next four games, there's certainly a chance Miami could continue to go on a run of sorts after their Week 12 bye. Perhaps McDaniel could use a late season push to keep his job in Year 1 with a new general manager.
| Miami Dolphins (4-7) next four games | Opponent | Opponent record entering Week 11 |
|---|---|---|
Week 13 | vs. Saints | 2-8 |
Week 14 | at Jets | 2-8 |
Week 15 | at Steelers | 5-4 |
Week 16 | vs. Bengals | 3-6 |
Achane followed up his 225 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10 with another 165 yards from scrimmage, 120 rushing on 21 carries (5.7 yards per carry) in the win against the Commanders. For his first few years in the league, Miami made sure to make sure he had a near 50-50 split with a bigger, more physical running back. The Dolphins can now take the training wheels off and make him their bell cow back going forward given how much of a weapon he is every time the ball is in his hands.
Injuries have devoured the Commanders' offense this season, which can certainly lead to a worn out defense. However, Washington entered Week 11 with the NFL's 29th-ranked scoring defense (28.0 points per game allowed) with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt calling the defense. That's why head coach Dan Quinn took over defensive play calling duties in Week 12, and that yielded much better results with Miami finding the end zone just once in a game that went to overtime. He should remain Washington's defensive play caller the rest of the season.
Mariota threw the ball late and into a crowd around tight end Zach Ertz, which allowed Dolphins defensive back Jack Jones to intercept the throw on the first play from scrimmage in overtime. Miami can now win the game with a field goal.
With the NFL's new overtime rules, both teams are guaranteed a possession. That's why the Dolphins opted to kick off. That way they know what they need when their offense takes the field.
Gay missed wide to the right for the second time today. It's a 13-13 game with 10 seconds left in regulation.
Miami's sole touchdown of the game came on a one-yard rushing touchdown by rookie running back Ollie Gordon. They tried that again on fourth-and-goal from the one, and they were absolutely stonewalled for a turnover on downs. Commanders get the ball back in a 13-13 game with under two minutes left to play.
The Commanders got a quick stop to get the football back in good field position after getting stopped themselves near the goal line, but second-year corner and punt returner Mike Sainristil muffed the punt. Miami recovered the loose football at the Commanders' 42 to put the Dolphins in position to take the lead in 13-13 game with 4:11 left to play.
On Washington's fourth-and-goal play from the one, they got the look they wanted, but they failed to execute. The Commanders sent veteran tight end Zach Ertz in motion, but he tripped on his route off the snap. That caused quarterback Marcus Mariota's goal line pass to whiz past him for an incompletion and turnover on downs. The game remains tied at 13 with 6:03 left to play.
Miami brought a heavy blitz off the left side of the line of scrimmage, but he sensed it and took off with a scramble to the right. Not only did he pick up the first down on third-and-9, but he exploded all the way into the red zone for a 44-yard gain down to the 15. The 32-year-old turned back the clock and looked like his Oregon self that won the 2014 Heisman Trophy.
Mariota missed just one play.
Miami running back Ollie Gordon wasn't touched until he stepped foot in the end zone on his one-yard rushing score. The Dolphins' offensive line dominated the Commanders off the ball for the score. We have a tie game, 13-13, with 12:36 left to play.
Journeyman backup quarterback Josh Johnson subbed in for Mariota.
On fourth-and-goal at the two, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked for his top target in Jaylen Waddle, but he didn't throw the ball far enough out in front of Waddle. That enabled 35-year-old, 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner to close in and knock the football away for an incompletion and a turnover on downs. Washington's offense takes the field at their own two with a 13-7 lead with 6:06 left in the third quarter.
Washington dialed up a screen pass for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the Commanders' top wideout with Terry McLaurin sidelined, and he exploded for a 20-yard into the end zone after bulldozing a couple Dolphins defenders at the goal line. The Commanders lead 13-7 to begin the second half.
On the Commanders' second possession, quarterback Marcus Mariota had almost no time to thrown. He had to escape the pocket to just get the football out of his hands multiple times, his six-yard sack on third-and-10 pushed Washington back into a 51-yard field goal try. Matt Gay's boot went wide right, and the Dolphins retain a 6-3 lead with 7:31 left in the half.
The Dolphins may have considered going for it on fourth down from the 10, but Tagovailoa's careless, 11-yard sack takes them out of that frame of mind. Riley Patterson's 39-yard field goal is good, and they now lead 6-3 with 11:27 left in the first half.
Washington was primed to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the three, but running Chris Rodriguez got a head start, resulting in a false start. Penalties by both teams ruined fourth-and-short conversion attempts. It's 3-3 with 2:37 left to play in the first quarter after one drive each.
Miami nearly take a delay of game penalty early in the drive before the Dolphins had to burn their first timeout. Then, they did take a delay of game penalty on fourth-and-1 at the 23. It ended with points, a 46-yard fiedl goal, but some clunky operation by the Dolphins early as they now lead 3-0 after the opening drive.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins will start with the football
Achane exploded for a season-high 225 yards from scrimmage to go along with two touchdowns in Miami's Week 10 win against the Buffalo Bills. He's fourth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage this season (1,105) and tied for fourth in the league in scrimmage touchdowns (9) this season. Achane's six yards per touch are the third-highest in the NFL in a player's first three seasons since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.
Highest Yards/Touch in first three seasons, Since 1970
Alvin Kamara 6.1
Roger Craig 6.0
De'Von Achane 6.0
>> Min. 600 touches
Since Tyreek Hill went down for the year, Jaylen Waddle has picked up the slack and nearly doubled his receiving yards per game average this season.
Jaylen Waddle this season, Since Tyreek Hill Injury
Games 6
Rec/Game 4.8
Rec Yards/Game 80.8 <<
Rec TD 3
>> Averaging 46.3 yds/gm in 4 games prior
Washington wide receiver Deebo Samuel's production has dipped without quarterback Jayden Daniels the last few weeks, averaging over four fewer yards per touch across the last four games.
Deebo Samuel, This Season
First 5 Games Last 4 Games
Scrimmage Yards 346 99
Yards/Touch 9.4 5.2
Touchdowns 4 1
Marcus Mariota as starter for Commanders, This Season
W-L 1-3
Comp Pct 68.0%
Pass Yards/Game 197.3
Total TD-INT 7-3
Today's matchup between the Dolphins and Commanders is the NFL's first in Spain, and it's being played in the home of 15-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
