Quick Read
- The Commanders lost 16-13 to the Dolphins in overtime in Madrid—the NFL’s first regular-season game in Spain.
- Marcus Mariota threw a game-deciding interception on the first play of overtime.
- Matt Gay missed two crucial field goals for Washington, including a potential game-winner from 56 yards.
- Both teams failed to score on key fourth-and-goal attempts late in regulation.
- The Commanders have now lost six straight games and sit at 3-8 for the season.
Madrid Hosts NFL’s First Regular-Season Game in Spain
History was made at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Sunday as the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins clashed in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game on Spanish soil. With the world watching, both teams delivered a performance packed with tension, missed opportunities, and a finish that left fans breathless.
The Commanders, desperate to snap a five-game losing streak, started strong but ultimately fell 16-13 in overtime, handing the Dolphins their third win in four games. While the spectacle was a win for international football, the result deepened Washington’s woes and sent Miami home with renewed playoff hopes.
How the Drama Unfolded: Missed Chances and Game-Changing Moments
The first half gave little hint of the drama to come. Both offenses sputtered, trading field goals as nerves and defensive grit dominated. By halftime, the score sat at a modest 6-6. Missed field goals were already haunting Washington: kicker Matt Gay’s 51-yard attempt sailed wide, foreshadowing troubles ahead (Yahoo Sports).
The Commanders gained momentum in the third quarter. Quarterback Marcus Mariota found Deebo Samuel for a 20-yard touchdown—the first ever scored by an NFL team in Spain. With the extra point, Washington took a 13-6 lead, momentarily flipping the narrative.
But Miami refused to fold. Running back De’Von Achane, who battled through a late injury scare, helped the Dolphins march downfield. Rookie Ollie Gordon II powered in from a yard out, leveling the score at 13-13 early in the fourth quarter. From there, the tension ratcheted up with each snap.
Fourth Quarter Tension: Risk, Reward, and Painful Errors
Both coaches made gutsy calls in the final period. When faced with fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, Commanders coach Ron Rivera chose aggression, leaving the field goal unit on the sideline. Mariota’s pass to Zach Ertz slipped away—literally, as Ertz lost his footing, and the ball went incomplete. The gamble backfired, giving Miami possession deep in their own territory.
Miami’s own risk-taking nearly cost them. After a long drive, coach Mike McDaniel opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal rather than kick a go-ahead field goal. Ollie Gordon was stuffed at the line, and the game stayed tied. The Commanders forced a punt, only to muff the return and hand Miami the ball back in field-goal range. Yet the Dolphins themselves were stopped at the 1-yard line on their next series, turning the ball over once again.
The Commanders seized their chance. Mariota orchestrated a late drive, connecting with Deebo Samuel and Jacoby Jones to set up Gay for a 56-yard field goal attempt with 15 seconds left. The kick missed right—his second miss of the day—sending the contest into overtime.
Overtime: One Play, One Mistake, One Winner
Overtime arrived with Washington winning the coin toss and getting the ball first. But the moment was short-lived. On the very first play, Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones picked off Mariota, returning the ball seven yards and setting up Miami deep in Commanders territory. A pair of runs by Achane put the Dolphins within easy field-goal range.
Riley Patterson’s 29-yard kick split the uprights, ending the game 16-13 and sending the Dolphins into celebration. For the Commanders, the result was a sixth consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 3-8 and intensifying scrutiny on both coaching and quarterback play (ESPN).
Statistical Notes and Standouts
- Marcus Mariota finished with a rushing highlight—a 44-yard dash in the fourth quarter—but his overtime interception proved decisive.
- Matt Gay missed two critical field goals (51 and 56 yards), directly impacting the outcome.
- De’Von Achane led Miami’s ground attack with key late-game runs, overcoming a minor injury scare.
- Ollie Gordon II scored his third career touchdown, tying the game in the fourth.
- Both teams failed to convert crucial fourth downs, underscoring the game’s razor-thin margin.
Implications: What Does This Loss Mean for the Commanders?
For the Commanders, the sixth straight defeat signals deeper issues. The quarterback position remains unsettled, with Jayden Daniels still sidelined and Mariota unable to deliver in crunch time. The coaching staff’s aggressive decisions—going for touchdowns instead of field goals—may spark debate, but also reflect a team searching for a spark in a lost season.
Miami, meanwhile, emerges with momentum and a coach who continues to take calculated risks. The Dolphins’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and special teams errors could prove vital as the playoff race intensifies.
In the end, the NFL’s Madrid experiment delivered drama but also exposed the Commanders’ fragility in tight contests. Their inability to seize late-game opportunities, paired with costly mistakes, leaves Washington searching for answers as the season slips away. The Dolphins’ resilience and opportunism, by contrast, may be the edge they need as December approaches.