Fans in Madrid were treated to overtime for its first-ever NFL game, one that saw the Miami Dolphins secure the victory over the Washington Commanders.
While it wasn’t the prettiest matchup, or the highest scoring, or the most thrilling, it was overtime nonetheless, and it resulted in the Dolphins’ second-straight win and the Commanders’ sixth-straight loss.
It almost wasn’t meant to be: Miami failed to convert a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 1:44 left and the game tied at 13. Mike McDaniel opted for the touchdown try rather than the short kick; the turnover on downs led to a Washington drive that resulted in a Matt Gay kick sailing wide of the uprights to head to overtime.
Both passers played well in the matchup: Tua Tagovailoa finished 14-of-20 for 171 yards, while Marcus Mariota finished 20-of-30 passing for 213 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
That Mariota interception proved costly: It was the first play from scrimmage in overtime, directly leading to Miami’s kick to win it.
Now, Washington will look to play for pride moving forward, as the playoffs are all but out of reach. Miami climbs to 4-7 and looks to get hot as the weather gets colder.
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Dolphins-Commanders game below. All times are Eastern.
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Dolphins-Commanders Madrid game takeaways
Who’s calling the plays, anyway? Dan Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr., and it may have made a bit of a difference: It was Washington’s best defensive performance since Week 5, when they held the Los Angeles Chargers to just 10 points. It was also the second-fewest yards allowed to an offense all season (311). It would have been nice if it resulted in a win, however.
Swimming with sharks? A week after the Dolphins dominated the Buffalo Bills in a surprising result, they put together their second-straight win in unfamiliar territory. Miami is still a lot of wins away from even being discussed in the playoff picture, but their feisty nature in a down and tumultuous year is worthy of respect.
NFC Least: The Commanders have endured a nightmare season, a puzzling, disappointing follow-up to their NFC championship Cinderfella run in 2024. What’s next for Washington is crucial. They’re going to need Jayden Daniels to get – and stay – healthy. But eyes are starting to turn to the offseason, when the team will have to figure out its aging roster and fast if they want to return to Daniels’ rookie-year highs.
Commanders-Dolphins Madrid game highlights
Riley Patterson kicks field goal for Dolphins win
The leg of Riley Patterson sent Washington packing – and to their sixth-straight loss – with the Marcus Mariota INT proving to be particularly costly.
Miami’s interception led to a fold of the Washington defense and a short kick for Patterson, giving the Dolphins their second-straight win.
Marcus Mariota’s first pass intercepted in overtime
Marcus Mariota had a respectable game filling in for Jayden Daniels, but the passer’s first pass in overtime lands in the hands of Miami defender Jack Jones.
That means Miami can end the game with a score of any type on this drive.
NFL overtime rules 2025
Overtime rules during the regular season changed for 2025 to match what’s been used in the postseason since 2022. The overtime period will be 10 minutes long with each team getting two timeouts and all reviews initiated by the booth.
Both teams have a chance to possess the football in overtime. A coin toss is used to determine who chooses to get the ball first. The only exception for both teams getting to possess the ball is in the case of the kicking team scoring a safety on the receiving team’s first possession.
After each team possesses the ball, the team with more points wins. If it is still tied after one possession each, the team that scores next wins. If the score is still tied after those 10 minutes, the game will end in a tie.
Dolphins, Commanders head to overtime
The Dolphins had 10 seconds left to try and take the lead but it was all for naught. Madrid gets a taste of overtime in its first matchup.
Matt Gay misses 56-yard attempt
This one might be headed to overtime: With 10 seconds left in the matchup, Commanders kicker Matt Gay pushed a 56-yard kick wide of the uprights.
Dolphins-Commanders score: Dolphins stopped on fourth-and-goal
Rather than kick a go-ahead field goal with 1:44 left and the Commanders having no time outs, the Dolphins opted to go for it on fourth down. The rushing attempt was stuffed, giving the Commanders an opportunity to take the lead – and the win – with a field goal.
Mike Sainristil muffs punt, Dolphins recover
The Commanders got the exact result they’d hoped: A quick stop and a punt to give Washington good field goal position. But cornerback and returner Mike Sainristil muffed the punt, and the Dolphins recovered with 4:11 left in the game.
Dolphins get fourth down stop – with some help
The Commanders decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from inside the Dolphins’ 5-yard line. Washington had the perfect play call, but Zach Ertz slipped and Marcus Mariota’s pass sailed past him and fell incomplete.
Miami takes over deep in its own territory with 6:03 remaining in the game.
Commanders-Dolphins score: Ollie Gordon hits pay dirt
We are all tied up at 13 after an Ollie Gordon 1-yard touchdown run and a successful extra point. The Dolphins finally find the end zone after moving the ball all morning vs. the Commanders defense.
Score: Dolphins 13, Commanders 13
Dolphins stopped on fourth-and-goal situation
A diving Bobby Wagner broke up a pass intended for Jaylen Waddle, leaving the Dolphins to come up empty on their trip to the Commanders’ red zone. Wagner’s effort ensures that the Commanders maintain their 13-6 lead with 6:06 left in the third quarter.
Marcus Mariota injury update: Commanders QB shaken up after hit
It’s unclear what Mariota injured or how, but the passer took a seat on the field after a second-down incompletion that nearly resulted in a sack. Instead, Josh Johnson took a snap, and following that, the Commanders punted.
Mariota was seen on the sideline with his helmet and then later entered the medical tent for an evaluation.
Dolphins-Commanders score: Deebo Samuel scores on catch-and-run
Madrid has its first touchdown: Marcus Mariota found Deebo Samuel on screen pass, and the wide out did the rest on a 20-yard catch and run.
The extra point puts the Commanders up by seven with 11:24 left in the quarter.
Score: Commanders 13, Dolphins 7
Commanders receive second-half kickoff
Who will be the first to get in the end zone? The Commanders are hoping its them as they take the second-half kickoff back to the Washington 41-yard line to get the third quarter underway.
Madrid halftime show: Daddy Yankee, Bizarrap take stage
It’s been 21 years since ‘Gasolina’ released, but the tank is clearly not empty for Daddy Yankee. The Puerto Rican rapper took the stage during the Madrid game alongside Argentine DJ Bizarrap on Sunday.
Commanders-Dolphins score: Matt Gay’s 30-yarder ties up game at half
Those looking for touchdowns need not apply: Matt Gay’s third field goal attempt of the day split the uprights, tying the game at 6-6 with the half expiring.
Score: Dolphins 6, Commanders 6
Matt Gay misses 51-yarder; Dolphins maintain lead
Mariota’s hot start came to an end in the second quarter. After going 7-for-7 passing, Mariota escaped pressure and misfired on his next two passes, leading to a Matt Gay 51-yard field goal attempt. It sailed wide of the uprights, keeping Miami in the lead midway through the second quarter.
Commanders-Dolphins score: Riley Patterson hits second FG for lead
The Dolphins again moved the ball against the Commanders defense, but a Jacob Martin third-down sack of Tua Tagovailoa forced the Dolphins into a second field goal of the day.
Score: Dolphins 6, Commanders 3
Tua Tagovailoa throws first incompletion of game
It came with 12:12 left in the second quarter, but Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw his first incompletion of the game after going 6-for-6 passing against the Commanders defense.
End of first quarter: Dolphins, Commanders tied
Miami moved the ball well against Washington’s defense in the first quarter, but it only resulted in 3 points after a few penalties doomed them. The Commanders tied it late with a field goal of their own. It’s all tied up entering the second quarter.
Dolphins-Commanders score: Matt Gay hits 26-yard field goal to tie
After the false start pushed the Commanders back five yards, Dan Quinn instead opted for a chip-shot field goal for the tie. It’s 3-3 with time winding down in the first.
Score: Dolphins 3, Commanders 3
Referee Shawn Smith calls false start in Spanish
Not only is the game in Madrid international, but it’s also multilingual. Referee Shawn Smith found an opportunity to call a Commanders false start in Spanish, and he did just that. We’d grade his delivery a C+, but definitely an A+ for effort.
Commanders convert fourth down early
Marcus Mariota found tight end Colson Yankoff for a short gain on fourth down to push them to midfield. An interesting gamble in the early goings for Dan Quinn and Co.
Marcus Mariota takes field for injured Jayden Daniels
Mariota, the veteran passer, is again stepping in to start for the injured Daniels. Daniels isn’t on IR, meaning he could return as soon as Week 12.
Dolphins-Commanders score: Riley Patterson hits 46-yard FG
The Dolphins were aiming to convert a fourth-and-short opportunity, but were flagged for a delay of game. Instead, they settled for a Patterson field goal to put them up 3-0 early in the first quarter.
Score: Dolphins 3, Commanders 0
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins take the field in Madrid
The first-ever game in Spain is underway as the Dolphins receive the opening kickoff. They will start from their own 20-yard line.
NFL Madrid game starts with moment of silence for Paul Tagliabue
The former NFL commissioner died on Nov. 9 at the age of 84. Tagliabue is widely credited for his help to expand the NFL into a global enterprise.
What time is the Dolphins vs. Commanders game today?
Start time: 9:30 a.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. local
The Dolphins-Commanders game is scheduled for kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET, the customary start time for international matchups. The game will take place in Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.
Who are the announcers for the NFL Madrid game?
Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma, part of Fox’s usual NFL rotation, are calling the game in Madrid.
Has the NFL ever had a game in Spain?
The NFL has never played a game in Spain prior to the 2025 season. It’s the fifth NFL game to be played in a Spanish-speaking country; the prior four were held in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, most recently in 2022.
How to watch the Dolphins vs. Commanders game
TV channel: NFL Network
NFL Network will carry the Dolphins-Commanders Week 11 matchup.
Where is the Dolphins-Commanders game today?
Location: Madrid, Spain
Venue: Bernabeu Stadium (home of Real Madrid F.C.)
For the NFL’s foray into Espana, the league couldn’t have picked a better venue. Bernabeu Stadium, home of iconic soccer club Real Madrid, plays host to the game.
The venue underwent significant upgrades in 2024, allowing for the game to take place here.
Dolphins vs. Commanders stream
Live stream: Fubo | NFL+
For viewers looking to live stream the event, Fubo carries NFL Network and will broadcast the game. NFL+, the league’s proprietary streaming service, will also carry the game.
Watch the Dolphins vs. Commanders Madrid game with Fubo (free trial)
Dolphins inactives vs. Commanders
No surprises on the Dolphins inactives list today vs. Washington. Those hoping for a QB change in Miami will have to wait, as Quinn Ewers is the team’s emergency third quarterback:
Commanders inactives today vs. Dolphins
The Commanders will again be without Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Here’s the rest of the list for their international tilt:
Dolphins vs. Commanders prediction
A neutral site makes this game as near a toss-up as it can be without it being a toss-up in the books. The Dolphins get the benefit of having their starting quarterback healthy, but these teams are about as evenly matched as it gets. Give the Dolphins the lean in this matchup if only for that reason.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Commanders 20
When will Jayden Daniels return?
Daniels remains out for the Commanders’ Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins. The two teams will face off in Madrid, and two Hawaiian quarterbacks will start against each other for the second time this season – Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins and Mariota for the Commanders.
Washington’s former No. 2 overall pick suffered a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow in the final moments of the team’s Week 9 ‘Sunday Night Football’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks. According to reporting from Glazer of Fox Sports and Rapoport of NFL Network, Daniels avoided major ligament damage in his elbow and will avoid both surgery and a stint on injured reserve.
What happened to Tyreek Hill?
Hill suffered a gruesome knee injury in the Dolphins’ Week 4 win over the New York Jets. Hill caught a 10-yard pass during the second half and his leg was twisted up while being tackled going out of bounds.
Hill was later diagnosed with a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL. He underwent successful surgery on the knee on Sept. 30.