In the first-ever NFL game in Spain, the Miami Dolphins handed the Washington Commanders their sixth straight loss, dropping to 3-8 after overtime at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Sunday.
For the first quarter, number 47, Riley Patterson gave the Dolphins a successful 46-yard field goal. However, Commanders’ number 36, Matt Gay, came in and tied the game at 3-3 with his 26-yard field goal. With penalties controlling this first quarter and the Commanders’ struggling offense, neither team saw the end zone until the third quarter.
With little action in the second quarter, Patterson secured a 39-yard field goal, taking the lead for the Dolphins (6-3). The Commanders' drive is stalled due to self-inflicted errors, but they manage to get into rhythm and score a field goal, with Gay tying the game once again at six.
In the third quarter, a short pass right by Marcus Mariota to Deebo Samuel Sr. places the Commanders in the lead with their first and only touchdown for this game.
The Dolphins' quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, flipped the ball and had a second and goal, with a pass being caught and taken down to the one, and Commanders’ linebacker Frankie Luvu coming into play, but the Dolphins eventually scored a touchdown with Ollie Gordon, tying the game once again.
The game went into overtime, where Mariota was intercepted by Dolphins’ Jack Jones on the first play from scrimmage, and the Dolphins took over, with Achane gaining more yards and setting up a 29-yard field goal attempt for Patterson. The game goes into overtime, where Jones intercepts a pass from Mariota, and Patterson kicks a 29-yard field goal to win the game.
The Commanders’ defense came alive in this game, putting Miami on high alert and allowing head coach Mike McDaniel to reevaluate both sides of the ball to secure the first NFL win on Spanish soil.
For the Commanders, their next game is on November 30th, where they will play the Denver Broncos at Northwest Stadium. As for the Dolphins, their next game is also on the 30th, where they will be playing the New Orleans Saints at Hard Rock Stadium, in hopes of continuing their winning streak.
