Commanders vs. Dolphins in Madrid: Mariota vs. Tagovailoa, Week 11 live updates

Lead The NFL International Series continued on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid as the 3-7 Washington Commanders faced the 3-7 Miami Dolphins. Washington started on a five-game losing streak and was missing several starters, while Miami arrived off a Week 10 upset of the Buffalo Bills. Marcus Mariota started for Washington in place of injured Jayden Daniels; Tua Tagovailoa led Miami after a strong rushing performance by De’Von Achane the previous week. Early action saw Miami take a 3-0 lead on a 46-yard field goal by Riley Patterson.

Key Takeaways

• Game: Kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET, November 16, 2025, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain; aired on NFL Network and streamed on NFL+.
• Records: Both teams entered Week 11 at 3-7; neither team realistically positioned for the playoffs at this point in the season.
• Washington status: Commanders on a five-game losing streak; QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) and WR Terry McLaurin (quad) listed inactive; Marcus Mariota is starting and is 1-3 on the season with 852 passing yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTs.
• Miami momentum: Dolphins defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-13 in Week 10; RB De’Von Achane rushed for 174 yards and 2 TDs in that game.
• Early game events: Miami opened with three straight first downs and took an early 3-0 lead after a 46-yard FG; Washington converted a fourth-and-1 with Mariota to TE Colson Yankoff to keep a drive alive.
• Coaching moves: Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced he would assume defensive coordinator duties and play-calling responsibilities following the loss to Detroit.
• Roster notes: Commanders DT Daron Payne was suspended one game and did not travel to Madrid; Dolphins had multiple inactives including QB Quinn Ewers and CB Rasul Douglas.
• Roster and cap context: Tyreek Hill drew attention off-field after changing his Instagram bio to ‘Unemployed’ while remaining under a restructured three-year, $90 million contract; cutting him in 2026 could save the Dolphins projected cap space, per cap analysis sites.

Background

The NFL International Series has expanded the league’s footprint and this Week 11 matchup continued that experiment by staging a meeting between two struggling franchises in Madrid. Both Washington and Miami entered the season with higher expectations than their current 3-7 records, leaving both organizations and fan bases searching for answers. Injuries compounded Washington’s problems; starter Jayden Daniels is sidelined with an elbow issue and key receiver Terry McLaurin is inactive with a quad problem, so veteran Marcus Mariota was pressed into action again. Miami, meanwhile, has shown flashes on offense — most notably De’Von Achane’s breakout rushing performance in Week 10 — but inconsistency and questions about coaching have shadowed the franchise.

Organizational pressure is part of the backdrop. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel has reportedly faced internal scrutiny, though owner Stephen Ross has been reported as inclined to retain McDaniel depending on how the team finishes the season. Contract and cap considerations add another layer of complexity for Miami, particularly regarding high-profile players recovering from injury. For Washington, changes on the defensive staff — Dan Quinn taking play-calling duties — reflect an attempt to alter the team’s recent downward trajectory after a lopsided loss to Detroit.

Main Event

The pregame sequence was routine: Washington won the coin toss and deferred, giving Miami the opening possession. The Santiago Bernabéu surface was reported in excellent condition and both clubs executed cleanly in the early minutes. Miami drove effectively on its first series, stringing together runs by De’Von Achane and a completion from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle before stalling in the red zone and settling for a 46-yard field goal by Riley Patterson to go up 3-0.

Washington’s opening drive nearly ended on fourth-and-1 at their own 46, but the Commanders elected to go for it rather than punt. Marcus Mariota hit tight end Colson Yankoff for a critical four-yard pickup, keeping the drive alive and demonstrating Washington’s willingness to be aggressive in short-yardage spots. The conversion briefly steadied the Commanders, who are trying to establish rhythm with a backup quarterback under center.

Injuries and absences were a clear factor on both sidelines. Washington traveled without several starters, and Miami listed multiple inactives that limited depth in certain positions. Washington’s defensive tackle Daron Payne did not make the trip after receiving a one-game suspension following an altercation in the previous week, a loss that removed a veteran presence from the interior line. Miami’s personnel decisions were influenced by earlier roster changes and the aftermath of injuries to key playmakers.

Analysis & Implications

Short term, this game is about momentum and evaluation. For Miami, back-to-back wins would be a rare positive in an otherwise disappointing season and could influence front-office decisions about coaching and quarterback continuity. A strong showing by Tagovailoa and the offense would bolster the argument for retaining the current staff and keeping Tua as the centerpiece in 2026 given his cap obligation. Conversely, inconsistent play would increase speculation about changes after the season.

For Washington, the matchup in Madrid is an opportunity to test personnel and schemes under duress. Dan Quinn’s decision to assume defensive play-calling signals a hands-on approach to try to stop the bleeding; how the defense performs without Daron Payne is a concrete measure of depth and coaching impact. Marcus Mariota’s performance over the next few games will inform whether Washington pursues quarterback continuity or evaluates other options in the offseason.

From a roster-construction angle, Miami’s salary-cap picture complicates decisions. Public reporting indicates Tyreek Hill carries a large cap hit next year, and while cutting him would yield immediate savings, such a move would also have clear on-field ramifications. Washington’s injuries suggest the team may prioritize finding affordable reinforcements and protecting draft flexibility. Both franchises are balancing short-term competitive choices against medium-term roster planning.

Comparison & Data

The table above summarizes immediate context: both teams share identical records but enter the Madrid game in different psychological places — Washington amid a losing skid and Miami buoyed by a convincing win. Comparing last-week outcomes highlights why Miami entered with more offensive confidence while Washington made a structural coaching adjustment on defense.

Reactions & Quotes

Before kickoff, Washington wide receiver Deebo Samuel set expectations for his own approach to the matchup and emphasized the team’s physical intent.

a lot of energy, a lot of physical ball

Deebo Samuel

In Miami’s camp, attention briefly turned off the field when Tyreek Hill altered his public profile, drawing commentary about his status while he remains under contract.

Unemployed

Tyreek Hill (Instagram bio)

League reporting also addressed the Daron Payne disciplinary decision; the suspension removed a starter from Washington’s trip to Spain, and the league fined the opposing player involved in the earlier on-field altercation according to NFL reporting.

Unconfirmed

• Reports linking Tyreek Hill’s Instagram change to imminent roster moves are speculative and not confirmed by the Dolphins organization.
• Any final decision on Mike McDaniel’s job status depends on internal discussions; public reports reflect sources but not an official team announcement.
• Details about private communications between players and front offices related to offseason cap planning remain unverified in public reporting.

Bottom Line

This Madrid matchup is less about playoff implications and more about immediate evaluation and narrative control for both franchises. Miami hopes to build momentum and validate a change in offensive form after the upset of Buffalo, while Washington is searching for signs that personnel and coaching adjustments can halt a five-game slide. Individual performances by quarterbacks and running backs, particularly Mariota and Tagovailoa and Miami’s De’Von Achane, will strongly influence short-term perceptions of each team’s direction.

Beyond the scoreboard, roster and cap questions will continue to shape headlines as the season progresses; how each front office responds over the next month will determine whether this game is a footnote or a turning point. Fans and decision-makers will watch not just the result but the tape, which will inform offseason choices about coaching, quarterback continuity, and roster construction.

Sources

• Yahoo Sports — media coverage and live updates (news outlet).
• NFL — official league reporting on suspensions, fines and game coverage (official).
• OverTheCap — salary cap analysis and projections (cap analysis site).