The Miami Dolphins visited the Washington Commanders on Friday, the first preseason game for both teams in 2026. Miami opened the game with some starters hitting the field, while others were in street clothes on the sideline – using the opportunity to get some players developmental reps while others were protected.
The night opened with Miami striking first with an opening-drive touchdown. By the end of the night, the Commanders had repeatedly smacked Miami, taking complete control of the game and the scoring.
It is just the first preseason game, but it was not pretty for the Dolphins.
Final Score
Dolphins 7 – 20 Commanders
Immediate Recap and Reactions
First Half
- Great opening drive for the Dolphins. They took it straight at the Commanders, running it straight ahead and working the sidelines in the passing game for the 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive. Running back De’Von Achane ran hard, quarterback Malik Willis used his arm and his legs, wide receiver Malik Washington caught three passes for 15 yards, and rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas made up for a mental error stepping out of bounds as he tried to make a catch on his first target by making a one-handed catch through defensive pass interference for a 28-yard gain. Great first drive, even if it was against the Commanders’ second-team defense. Now it is time to sit the starters for the rest of the game. Dolphins 7-0.
- Willie Gay, Jr., is absolutely flying around the defense. He is listed behind rookie Trey Moore on the depth chart, but his speed and instincts are on display early tonight. Defense held the Commanders to just 27 yards on six plays before a punt.
- The Dolphins pull their starters for the second offensive series, including Willis taking a seat for Quinn Ewers at quarterback. Of note, guards Jonah Savaiinaea and rookie Kadyn Proctor stayed in the game. A solid 13-yard run from running back Jaylen Wright, a 27-yard pass to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, and a nine-yard run from running back Ollie Gordon III highlight the drive, but a couple of penalties led to a 4th-and-3 attempt, with Ewers coming up short on a scramble attempt.
- Miami ends the Commanders’ next drive with a pick by Marco Wilson right at the end of the first quarter, but then return the favor three plays later with Ewers throwing a pass that was probably intended for Tolbert but really was not close to anyone except Washington’s Quan Martin.
- Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson nearly came away with a pick on a pass thrown behind the receiver. Johnson slid in the endzone as he reacted to the pass, but he could not secure it. Defensive tackle Matthew Butler and rookie edge rusher Max Llewellyn combined for a sack on the next play to force a field goal – that bounced off the upright but somehow curled through. Miami’s rookies are making an impact early tonight – and the team will need that to be a theme all season if they are going to find any success this year. Dolphins 7-3.
- After a three-and-out from Miami, which ended with an awkward 25-yard punt, the Commanders began attacking the Dolphins’ defense, including a final three plays of a 15-yard run, an 11-yard pass, and a 22-yard touchdown run. Robert Henry, Jr., bounced outside and just ran away from the Miami defense for the score. Commanders 10-7.
- Miami answered with a drive that included a sack, a two-yard run, and an incomplete pass. Not exactly the answer the team needed. Ewers is out of rhythm and the offense is struggling. The offensive line is not giving him any time out there, as well. Just not executing across the board.
- Rookie running back Kaytron Allen crushed the Miami defense on Washington’s next drive, gaining 29 yards on the drive, including the one-yard score to end the possession. Just punched the Dolphins in the mouth. They will have to find a way to respond in the second half. Commanders 17-7.
The first half looked a lot like a preseason game. Some highlights, some moments that just cause you to shake your head. Miami’s offense looked good in the opening drive – albeit against the second-team Washington defense – but the second-team struggled the rest of the half. Ewers looks out of sync with the rest of the team. The offensive line, especially second-team center Andrew Meyer, is not protecting Ewers, he is rushing his throws, and he and the receivers do not seem to always be on the same page.
It is the first half of the first preseason game, so there are no major judgments that can be made at this point, but the depth needs to play better, quickly, if the Dolphins are going to be able to trust that things will not fall apart when injuries occur.
Second Half
- Dolphins defense steps up on the opening possession of the second half, coming away with a three-and-out, giving up just five yards. Miami’s offense returns with Ewers still at quarterback, hoping they can find a better rhythm than the first half. Instead, they match the three-and-out and the two runs for five yards with an incomplete pass of Washington’s drive. Miami was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for Gordon shoving a Commanders player’s helmet after Gordon had his leg pulled an extra time after the play. Tough call. But, so far, the second half has turned into a punt fest.
- Washington ended the three-and-out streak with a six-play drive that ended with…a punt. Miami answered with another three-and-out after replacing Ewers with Cam Miller at quarterback, only to see the first snap to him rolling on the ground. The good thing was punter Bradley Pinion finally fully connected on the kick, pushing it 52 yards down the field – though it was nearly blocked.
- Another pair of three-and-outs followed.
- Hey, Washington put together a drive, gaining 46 yards on six plays, but they still finished with a punt.
- Miami put together a drive to end the third quarter and start the fourth, going 35 yards on eight plays, but it ended with another punt. Great coverage from wide receiver Tahj Washington, who downed the ball at the two-yard line.
- Washington: 6 plays, 9 yards, punt. It is simply what the game has become in the second half. Rookie edge rusher Mason Reiger recorded a sack during the drive, providing a highlight for the Dolphins’ defense.
- Miller felt immediate pressure on the first play of Miami’s next possession, throwing an ugly pass that was intercepted. It did end the streak of punts ending drives.
- The Commanders only gained nine yards on three plays for the drive, but the interception set them up deep enough in Miami territory for a 41-yard field goal. Commanders 20-7.
- Miami’s drive started with a one-yard loss, then a one-yard gain, setting up 3rd-and-10. Miller attempted a deep pass to rookie tight end Jeremiah Franklin, but was hit as he released the pass, it floated, and was intercepted.
- Washington turned to their ground attack to keep the clock moving, and Miami could not stop them. They eventually ran the clock down to zeroes, ending the contest and taking away the victory.
Final immediate thoughts
This was obviously a preseason game, and the first preseason game at that. The Dolphins had some good plays, but they looked out of rhythm for much of the game. The rookies had some flashes, but the team’s depth is definitely concerning. There will be plenty of overreaction and determinations based on tonight’s game – though none of them will be valid.
The biggest discussion point this week will likely be Quinn Ewers and his role as Malik Willis’s backup quarterback. He did not seem to be playing with any confidence tonight but he was also not put in a position to succeed, with the offensive line struggling to protect him and the receivers really did not do him any favors.
Punter Bradley Pinion is a concern, with some of his kicks tonight seeming off. He may work off the rust and be ready by the regular season, but his performance tonight didn’t instill confidence.
It was the first preseason game and it felt like it. While we should not overreact, with just two contests remaining before the regular season, there is not a lot of time to fix some of the issues we all saw tonight.
