Madrid Mess: Dolphins Escape After OT Gift from Washington
November 17, 2025
The Sunday slate featured the final international game of the 2025 season – With the ending taking place in Madrid, Spain. These international games have been a bit of a snoozer and this one was no exception. Some could say they’ve been almost as bad as the TNF matchups where the offenses can’t seem to get going. Unfortunately, it hasn’t meant that we’ve seen great defense, it has just been super sloppy.
Sloppy is somewhat to be expected of the Commanders as they’ve been the team selected by the NFL Gods to have the worst injury luck this season. With Daniels out, Mariota is the one to fill in at starting quarterback against his old friend Tua. The two not only share the home state of Hawaii, but also attended the same high school. Tagovailoa reportedly looked up to Mariota as what he wanted to aspire to be not only as a quarterback, but as a person. This matchup marked the first time that the two would play against one another and Tua’s first chance to take on his childhood idol.
Neither were necessarily spectacular as we didn’t have a touchdown scored until the second half. In fact, only Mariota would throw the lone touchdown pass when he connected with Deebo Samuel in the third quarter. The Miami offense went the predictable route of feed De’Von Achane. While he’s an electric playmaker, the repeat playcalling becomes more and more predictable as the games goes on. Despite Achane racking up 165 total yards, the Commanders defense was able to contain him when it mattered and keep him out of the endzone. There just continues to be this lack of creativity with playcalling to scheme someone else open. It’s at the point, and has been for a while now, where you’re just yelling at the television for him to do ANYTHING else.
It really showed when the Dolphins had the opportunity to secure the victory and pounded it up the middle 4 straight times. Yep, four. Instead of electing for a field goal to take a 16-13 lead late in the game, McDaniel chose to go for it and they were stopped. Washington took over and Mariota led his offense all the way into field goal possession for an attempt to win it. Matt Gay’s field goal attempt went wide but that’s not the point! Instead of either losing on that kick, or heading to overtime and rolling the dice, Miami should have won on that missed attempt by the Commanders.
Mariota threw an interception deep in their own territory on the first play of overtime and that was it. Despite playing a relatively clean game, the one mistake cost them and Miami kicked a field goal and stole a win. The Dolphins should feel fortunate to escape Madrid with the victory. The coaching and playcalling realistically cost them, but both teams couldn’t get much going and Miami sort of fell into the win column by accident. The Phins now find themselves on a two game win streak with two very winnable games against the Saints and Jets ahead. If they can clean some things up, there might be a chance to make some late season noise.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
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