Key Highlights
- The Washington Commanders will face the Miami Dolphins in their second international game in team history at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.
- This is the first regular-season NFL game played in Spain and marks the Dolphins’ eighth international game with a 2-5 record abroad.
- Legendary quarterback matchups of Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa from Honolulu will face off for the first time in their careers.
- Dolphins running back De’Von Achane had an impressive performance against the Bills, generating 225 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.
A Unique Chapter in NFL History
The Washington Commanders face the Miami Dolphins at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday. This game marks a significant milestone for the NFL as it represents the first regular-season matchup played in Spain and the third international venue used by the league this season.
First International Game in Spain
The Miami Dolphins will make history as they step onto the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium field, becoming the first team to play a regular-season NFL game in Spain. The stadium, known for hosting the world-famous Real Madrid soccer club since 1947, has undergone renovations and is now equipped with a retractable roof, making it an ideal venue for football.
Commanders-Dolphins Rivalry
This game between the Commanders (3-7) and Dolphins (3-7) will be their second international game in team history. The Commanders won their first international game against the Cincinnati Bengals in London during the 2016 season, while the Dolphins have not had as much success abroad with a 2-5 record.
Quarterback Showdown: Mariota vs. Tagovailoa
The game features a unique matchup of quarterbacks from Honolulu, Hawaii—Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa. Mariota, 32, will be making his fifth start this season for the Commanders after injuries to Jayden Daniels. While Tagovailoa, 27, is experiencing a challenging season with 13 interceptions, he has shown improved performance in recent starts.
Mariota and Tagovailoa first crossed paths at Saint Louis School in Honolulu, where both won Gatorade State Player of the Year awards and helped their teams to state titles. Mariota was drafted second overall in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans, while Tagovailoa entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2020.
Quinn’s Defensive Takeover
With the Commanders defense struggling, head coach Dan Quinn has taken over play-calling duties. This move comes after allowing 82 total points in the last two games and aims to turn around a defense that is yielding 394.6 yards and 28.0 points per game.
Quinn’s aggressive nature as a play-caller could lead to some schematic changes or position adjustments, though details are being kept confidential until Sunday. The Commanders will be without key players such as Daron Payne (suspended) and Trey Amos (injured reserve), while the Dolphins have several injured players of their own.
Achieving Turnaround in Miami
The Dolphins come into this game off a dominant 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills, which could be the start of a surprising turnaround. Running back De’Von Achane had an outstanding performance with 225 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns last Sunday.
Achane’s strong showing ranks him fourth in the league in scrimmage yards (1,105) while scoring nine times. His ability to break big plays could pose a significant challenge for the Commanders’ defense, which is allowing an average of 394.6 yards per game.
Upcoming Schedule and Potential Turnaround
A win on Sunday would position the Dolphins well for a potential turnaround. Following their Week 12 bye, they face a favorable schedule with matchups against the Saints, Jets, Steelers, and Bengals.
The Commanders will have to focus on disrupting Miami’s high-paced offense at the line of scrimmage, given that Quinn is known for his aggressive play-calling. The outcome of this game could significantly impact both teams’ seasons as they aim to improve their records.
