Dolphins Secure NFL’s First-Ever Win in Spain with Overtime Finish

It wasn’t pretty, but it was historic. The Miami Dolphins secured the NFL’s first-ever victory in Spain, grinding out a 16–13 overtime win against the Washington Commanders. Cornerback Jack Jones played the role of hero, jumping Marcus Mariota’s first throw of overtime and returning the interception deep into scoring range. Miami needed only a few plays and a field goal to walk off with the international win.

Despite the victory, the Dolphins made the game far more stressful than it needed to be. Miami struggled mightily on third down, repeatedly stalling drives that looked promising early. The Dolphins were also stuffed twice on fourth-and-goal, leaving critical points off the board in a game that never should’ve reached overtime. Miami moved the ball well and, in many stretches, looked like the better team — but their inability to finish drives kept Washington hanging around.

The run game, though, was a bright spot and remains a growing identity. Ollie Gordon and De’Von Achane both ran effectively out of Miami’s jumbo looks, each averaging over 5.0 yards per carry. Achane in particular put together another breakout performance, piling up:

• 21 carries

• 120 rushing yards

• 5 receptions

• 45 receiving yards

Still, despite all that efficiency, Miami managed only 16 points, a reflection of poor situational play rather than offensive talent.

Defensively, the Dolphins played exactly the type of “bend but don’t break” football they needed. Miami was gashed on the ground at times, but the unit held strong in key moments, keeping Washington to just 13 points in regulation. They limited Mariota’s impact, tightened up in the red zone, and produced the game-deciding play in overtime.

As for the coaching — even with reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Miami’s head coach is “here to stay” the performance on the sideline was concerning. Questionable fourth-down decisions, curious timeout usage on Washington’s late drive, and repeated situational mismanagement continue to define close games. Miami escaped, but it should have been much smoother.

Dolphin’s fans should also be thanking Matt Gay, who missed two field goals that would’ve drastically reshaped the outcome.

Still, a win is a win, and the Dolphins have now taken three of their last four, heading into the bye with momentum. Coming out of the break, they’ll face the Saints, Jets, and Steelers with a real opportunity to climb back to .500, save some seats on the staff, and keep themselves alive in the playoff picture come December.