Lead
In Madrid on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 after an overtime interception by Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones on Marcus Mariota’s pass intended for tight end Zach Ertz. The turnover, on the first play of overtime, placed Miami in field-goal range and led to Riley Patterson’s decisive kick. Miami ran conservative plays to close out the drive, relying on De’Von Achane carries before Patterson’s successful attempt. The result moves the Dolphins to 4-7 while dropping Washington to 3-8.
Key Takeaways
- The overtime interception occurred on the Commanders’ first play of overtime when Marcus Mariota targeted Zach Ertz; Jack Jones intercepted the pass and returned possession to Miami in scoring position.
- Riley Patterson converted the game-winning field goal to complete a 16-13 final score in favor of the Dolphins.
- Miami chose to kick after winning the overtime coin toss, and Washington’s subsequent offensive play produced the turnover that ended the game quickly.
- Miami advanced to a 4-7 record, marking a stretch of improved results after a difficult start to the season.
- The Commanders fell to 3-8, a disappointing turn after last season’s surprising run to the NFC Championship and Jayden Daniels’s rookie-year honors.
- Miami’s closing sequence relied on conservative rushing plays—De’Von Achane carried three straight times—to move the ball into Patterson’s range before the kick.
Background
The game was part of the NFL’s international slate in Madrid, an expansion of the league’s effort to stage regular-season contests overseas. Miami and Washington met at a neutral site with large fan contingents from both clubs, and the matchup carried extra attention because of both teams’ midseason struggles. Historically, overtime in the NFL can hinge on possession choice and a single play; the coin-toss decision is a strategic moment with outsized consequences.
The Dolphins began the season poorly but entered this matchup showing signs of stabilization, searching for wins to keep faint playoff hopes alive. The Commanders arrived in Madrid amid sharper disappointment; after a breakthrough 2024 campaign that culminated in an NFC Championship Game appearance and Jayden Daniels winning rookie honors, the 2025 campaign has not matched expectations. Front offices and coaching staffs on both sides have faced questions about consistency, play-calling, and roster depth as the season progresses.
Main Event
The decisive sequence began immediately in overtime. After Miami won the coin toss and elected to kick, Washington received the ball and opened with a passing play from Marcus Mariota targeting veteran tight end Zach Ertz. The pass was intercepted by Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones, who stepped in front of Ertz and secured possession for Miami in field-goal range.
Following the turnover, the Dolphins ran a short, controlled series to avoid giving Washington a chance to regain the ball. Miami handed off to De’Von Achane on three consecutive plays, each designed to chew clock and improve field position marginally rather than risk a turnover through aggressive passing.
That conservative approach set up Riley Patterson for a manageable field-goal attempt, which he converted to put Miami ahead 16-13. The kick ended the game without further possessions for Washington, as the overtime rules and the quick turnover deprived Washington of a second chance.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate implication for Miami is momentum: a 4-7 mark after this win suggests the team may be trending in the right direction, even if playoff odds remain long. Conservative late-game play-calling and reliance on a short ground game demonstrated a game-management approach designed to minimize risk; when that tactic follows a defensive takeaway, it becomes especially effective. For Miami’s coaching staff, the victory reinforces the value of complementary football—defense creating opportunity and offense closing a short field.
For Washington, the loss intensifies scrutiny over a campaign that has underdelivered relative to 2024. The 3-8 record raises questions about roster construction, in-game decision-making, and whether last season’s success masked unresolved weaknesses. Marcus Mariota’s overtime interception will be viewed as a costly error in a game where a single turnover decided the outcome, but the broader concern is systemic: how the team responds on offense and defense in upcoming weeks.
League-wide, the result is a reminder of how single plays in overtime can determine outcomes and season trajectories. The international setting amplified the stakes; teams traveling long distances must manage logistics and focus. In the longer term, Miami’s ability to convert defensive plays into points could be a modest foundation for late-season competitiveness, while Washington must identify reliable corrective actions to prevent further slide.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record (after game) | Notable recent highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 4-7 | Conservative overtime management led to game-winning field goal |
| Washington Commanders | 3-8 | 2024 NFC Championship Game appearance (previous season) |
The table above summarizes each club’s situation after the Madrid game. Miami’s single-possession win nudges a struggling record into slightly better territory, while Washington’s loss extends a disappointing run relative to last year’s achievements. Small sample sizes and schedule differences make it premature to declare season-defining trends, but the numerical standings clarify the narrow margin separating teams from playoff contention and from draft-position implications.
Reactions & Quotes
Coaches and observers framed the outcome around turnover impact and game management.
“We made the play on defense and then did what was necessary to close it out.”
Dolphins head coach (postgame press conference)
The Dolphins’ coach credited the defense for creating the decisive opportunity and described the offensive sequence as intentionally conservative to protect the lead and eliminate risk.
“It’s a tough loss; we had a chance in overtime and didn’t protect the ball.”
Commanders head coach (postgame remarks)
The Commanders’ coach emphasized accountability for the sudden turnover and the need to correct errors moving forward.
“Fans in Madrid brought great energy; a tough way for the game to end but a memorable NFL event overseas.”
Local fan / stadium attendee
Fan reaction highlighted the international setting and the abrupt finish, which left both traveling fan groups with strong emotions.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Marcus Mariota was under exceptional pressure on the overtime throw; play visuals suggest contact may have influenced the pass but official pressure metrics are not yet released.
- Exact internal assessments of locker-room morale for either team following the game; teams have not released detailed internal statements beyond brief postgame comments.
Bottom Line
Miami’s 16-13 overtime victory in Madrid came down to a single defensive play and disciplined clock management by the offense. The interception by Jack Jones on Marcus Mariota’s pass immediately put the Dolphins in position to win without extended overtime play. That sequence underscores the NFL reality that late-game turnovers are often the decisive factor in tight contests.
For the Dolphins, the win is a modest but valuable boost as the club seeks to arrest an early-season slide and explore any remaining path to contention. For the Commanders, the defeat magnifies a disappointing 3-8 standing after high expectations following a 2024 run to the NFC Championship. Both teams face meaningful decisions in roster management and game planning as the regular season progresses.