Sunday’s clash with the Washington Commanders — the final international game of the 2025 NFL season — was an ugly affair in a beautiful stadium (Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain) for the Miami
Dolphins, yet as the dust settled, the scoreboard showed a narrow overtime victory for the boys in aqua and orange by a score of 16-13.
After defeating their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, in convincing fashion by a score of 30-13 last week, many fans of the Dolphins thought they were in for an easier bout against Washington, but if you’ve watched this season in its entirety, you understand that things don’t often come easy for Mike McDaniel’s club.
Still, a win is a win — and that now makes two in a row for Miami for the first time since weeks 16 and 17 of the 2024 NFL season.
GOOD
De’Von Achane continues to show he’s most explosive Dolphins weapon
After trampling the Bills to the tune of 225 yards from scrimmage last Sunday, Dolphins running back De’Von Achane continued his dominance over opposing defenses against the Commanders as the third-year player totaled 120 yards rushing on 21 carries (5.9 yards per carry), plus added five receptions for 45 yards receiving.
Achane did not find the endzone against Washington, as his running-mate — rookie back Ollie Gordon II — vultured one score, and was stuffed on multiple goal-to-go situations later in the contest. However, without the production from Miami’s electric ball-carrier, the Dolphins would have likely found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard in Madrid.
BAD
Jaylen Waddle’s case of the drops returns
Throughout his career as a member of the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has had an unfortunate propensity for dropping passes from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But, since fellow receiver Tyreek Hill was placed on injured reserve with a season ending knee injury, Waddle has stepped up big time in the Cheetah’s absence.
However, on Sunday against the Commanders, Waddle’s drop issues unfortunately returned, as the Penguin had two easy receptions bounce directly off of his hands and fall to the grass for incomplete passes in crucial situations.
The second dropped pass came on a short throw near the end of regulation that would have set the Dolphins up for a long game-winning field goal try as time expired. However, after Waddle was unable to reel in the reception, the Dolphins were forced to throw it short to Achane and the running back was tackled far short of the endzone as the clock hit all zeros.
Miami will need Waddle to regain his high level of production if they hope to continue to rattle off wins as they attempt to get back into the playoff hunt.
UGLY
Dolphins have multiple drives stall in goal-to-go situations
Prior to Sunday’s game against Washington, the Dolphins had been perfect in goal-to-go situations during the 2025 NFL season — scoring touchdowns on all 13 opportunities.
Against the Commanders, things changed quickly for Miami, as they were stopped on multiple drives just shy of the endzone.
The first missed opportunity came when a fourth down throw from Tagovailoa to Waddle was tipped by linebacker Bobby Wagner as the receiver was attempting a sliding catch in the endzone. Miami had tried to run it up the gut on a couple of plays prior to that unsuccessful try, yet were stuffed each time, even as stud defensive tackle Daron Payne was inactive for Washington due to a one-game suspension.
Miami’s second turnover on downs came as the team was trying for the go-ahead touchdown with less than two-minutes remaining in the game. After Achane was dinged up for a couple of plays, rookie back Ollie Gordon II was stuffed on 4th and goal from the one yard line to give the ball back to the Commanders. Luckily, kicker Matt Gay incurred his second missed field goal try of the game as time expired, and the Dolphins were able to come up with an interception on the second play of overtime as Jack Jones made a fantastic play on a Marcus Mariota pass intended for tight end Zach Ertz. The Dolphins would finally settle for a field goal — this time to ultimately win the game for the club.
___
The Dolphins head into their bye week with a record of 4-7 after winning their second game in a row against the Commanders. After returning from their off week, the Dolphins will get games against the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. If they can come away with victories in both of those games, they’ll have a chance to get back to an even .500 record when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football in week 14. Do you think this team can go on a run once they get back on American soil? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
