The Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders played the first NFL game in Madrid, Spain, with both teams looking to improve on a 3-7 record.
The Dolphins pulled out a 16-13 win in overtime. Riley Patterson kicked a 29-yard field goal to win it at the 7:33 mark of OT.
Miami cornerback Jack Jones intercepted Marcus Mariota on Washington’s first possession of overtime to set up the winning drive.
Washington nearly won the game at the end of regulation, but kicker Matt Gay missed a 56-yard field goal.
The Dolphins could have taken a lead with a field goal or touchdown with less than two minutes to play. Mike McDaniel passed on a field goal try with the score tied at 13. But Ollie Gordon II was then stopped on fourth-and-goal from the Commanders’ 1-yard line.
Tua Tagovailoa and Mariota were the quarterbacks, two Polynesians who were born in Hawaii.
The pressure on Miami coach McDaniel and Tagovailoa has been mounting. But suddenly, Miami has won two straight.
Miami is 4-7 and will enjoy a bye week before a home game with the Saints and a road game at the Jets. Washington is 3-8.
Here are our instant takeaways:
Extend De’Von Achane, like, yesterday, please
De’Von Achane is the Dolphins’ best player and 2025 team MVP.
A weapon on the ground and in the air – he totaled 165 yards vs. Washington – Miami must extend him the day after the team hires a full-time general manager.
The Dolphins’ offense is at its best when the run sets up the pass. And Miami’s run game should be very effective.
Oh, Achane and his team may want $13 million or more for four seasons, but how about something around $12.5 million for four years?
All in favor say, “Aye.”
The “Aye’s” have it.
Subpar run defense for Miami Dolphins
In the fourth quarter, the Dolphins allowed Marcus Mariota to run 44 yards on a third-and-9 from the Commanders’ 41-yard line.
Miami needed to make Mariota and the Commanders beat it through the air.
But Washington running back Chris Rodriguez – a sixth-round draft pick with 620 career yards in 2.5 seasons – also excelled in this one as a lead back.
It did not help when massive nose tackle Benito Jones suffered an ankle injury. He did return. But Miami also leaned heavily on rookies Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers.
Phillips did have a key third-and-goal stop at the 1-yard line. Grant had an impressive run stop earlier in the game.
But overall, Miami’s run defense just hasn’t been consistent enough in 2025.
Malik Washington, Greg Dulcich contribute
For Tua Tagovailoa, it can’t be just Jaylen Waddle and Achane that he trusts.
In this one, he turned at times to receiver Malik Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich.
Malik converted a key 3rd-and-7 for 13 yards to help fuel a fourth-quarter touchdown drive. Malik converted another 3rd-and-3 for 18 yards.
Dulcich had a 14-yard catch. Later it appeared he had a miscommunication on a red zone route that could have resulted in a touchdown.
McDaniel continued to utilize Daniel Brunskill as a sixth offensive lineman. He continued to mix in rookie running back Ollie Gordon II.
Gordon scored a touchdown. Gordon has earned the trust of McDaniel and the Dolphins as he was carrying the ball late in the game.
Late in game, McDaniel and Tua unveiled a few ball tricks they clearly have been working on. McDaniel’s creativity has not been stunted, despite Miami’s poor start.
Applause for Jake Bailey and Riley Patterson
The Dolphins’ special teams have improved under newcomer Craig Aukerman.
And former All Pro punter Jake Bailey has re-emerged as a stud.
Bailey had a 55-yard punt – thrilling the futbol aficionados in Madrid – that went down to the Commanders’ 6-yard line following a penalty.
Patterson has done a splendid job filling in for injured Jason Sanders.
In the first half, Patterson made field goals of 46 and 39 yards, while the Commanders missed a field goal.
What a lousy call on Jack Jones
Jack Jones was the subject of a phantom pass interference call. The ball was uncatchable. Jones hardly made any contact at all the with the Washington receiver.
NFL rules expert Dean Blandino said on NFL Network it was “just not a foul.”
Miami has been a bit unlucky a few times on officiating decisions this season.
Here is something that may be even more important regarding the cornerback position though: JuJu Brents (ankle) left with an injury and did not return.
Rookie Jason Marshall, Jr. had a pass breakup with less than a minute to play after entering the game for Brents.
Perhaps Rasul Douglas (ankle/foot) will be ready to return after a bye week.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins takeaways after defeating Washington Commanders in OT in Spain | Schad
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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