Washington Commanders @ Miami Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 16, Commanders 13 (OT)
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
We had our first game in Madrid and it turned into an absolute battle. Essentially, this game came down to two things: How many times the defense could hold inside the 5-yard line (which happened often), and who would win the turnover battle. In the end, that edge went to the Dolphins.
Miami came up with a huge special-teams fumble recovery and a clutch interception in overtime to seal it. Offensively, the Dolphins leaned heavily on their ground game, using it to control the clock and keep pressure off their quarterback.
Washington spread the ball around well and kept pace all afternoon, but two missed field goals from Matt Gay ultimately proved costly. In a tight, back-and-forth matchup overseas, those missed opportunities were the difference between a win and a heartbreaking loss.
Three Up
- Deebo Samuel — The veteran came to play in Madrid, leading the team in most receiving categories and achieving his highest receiving total since Week 5.
- De’Von Achane — Can you say workhorse running back? It feels like Miami’s total offense was Achane, and he dominated once again.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. — He was the clear starter in this game and led the team in touches. Rodriquez also looked good and should hold the job throughout the bye week.
Three Down
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt — The rookie running back lost his starting job and didn’t get a touch until late in the second quarter, and didn’t look all that great for most of the game.
- Jaylen Wright — After getting some use last week, he returned to just one touch as he is the clear third-string running back with a healthy Ollie Gordon.
- Tua Tagovialoa — The Dolphins’ QB was just average in this game. He didn’t really make a favorable matchup. At times, he hurt this offense with a few sacks that he shouldn’t have taken in the game.
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota: 20/30, 213 Yards, TD, INT | 4 Carries, 49 Yards
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota played well overall against the Dolphins. He did a solid job early on spreading the ball around to different receivers, keeping the offense balanced. As the game progressed, he began to lean more on his veterans — Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz — using short, efficient throws to let his playmakers create yards after the catch. Mariota approached this matchup like a true game manager, taking what the defense gave him and keeping the offense on schedule.
However, whenever he attempted to push the ball downfield, the results were mostly unsuccessful. Despite that, he delivered one of the biggest highlights of the game with a 44-yard run in the fourth quarter — a crucial spark for Washington.
Unfortunately, Mariota’s day ended on a sour note. In overtime, he forced a throw into tight coverage that resulted in a costly interception. It was one of his few poor decisions all game, but it ultimately swung the outcome.
Running Back
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 15 Carries, 79 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Chris Rodriguez Jr. drew the start in Week 11 against the Dolphins, and he made the most of the opportunity. Rodriguez led the Commanders in carries and operated as the clear lead back for most of the first half. He looked strong throughout the game, showing good burst, twitchiness, and the power to break through Dolphin defenders.
In the second half, Washington rotated the backfield more, but Rodriguez still handled several of the key touches — including 2-minute offense work and red-zone snaps. His involvement in the passing game remained minimal, with just one target, which continues to cap his overall fantasy upside.
His biggest mistake was a costly false-start penalty that stalled a promising drive and forced the Commanders to settle for a field goal. Still, in what has become a full-blown committee backfield, Rodriguez may have done enough to keep the starting job when the team returns in Week 13.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 9 Carries, 28 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt appears to have lost his grip on the starting job in the Commanders’ offense. He didn’t record a touch until late in the second quarter, and while he worked through that series, he struggled to make an impact. His runs lacked decisiveness, and he didn’t show the vision needed to recognize developing lanes in front of him.
Croskey-Merritt received another opportunity in the fourth quarter, and he did break off a nice 10-yard run — but that was the highlight of an otherwise quiet day. With his role shrinking and other backs outplaying him, the rookie may find himself watching more than contributing unless he can impress during practice over the bye week.
Jermey McNichols: 4 Carries, 13 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Deebo Samuel: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 74 Yards, TD | 1 Carry, 3 Yards
The most productive player for the Commanders in Week 11 was Deebo Samuel. The veteran showcased exactly what he’s known for — elite yards after the catch. Most of Samuel’s targets came in the short areas of the field, giving him opportunities to create with the ball in his hands. He broke off two 20-yard catch-and-run plays and consistently turned routine throws into chunk gains.
His touchdown came on a simple curl route that he exploded out of, cutting across the entire field and weaving through defenders to find the end zone. Samuel looked sharp and explosive — a much-needed performance after a stretch of below-average outings over his last four games.
Zach Ertz: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 42 Yards
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz delivered a solid performance in a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. After a quiet first quarter, Ertz started to get more involved in the second, becoming a reliable option for Mariota over the middle of the field. He picked up multiple 15-yard gains on quick-hitting throws, helping Washington move the chains with efficient chunk plays.
Ertz made the most of his eight targets, showing steady hands and dependable route running throughout the game. Unfortunately, his final target came in overtime on the throw Mariota forced into tight coverage — the pass that ultimately resulted in the game-deciding interception. Despite that ending, Ertz performed well and was one of the more consistent pieces of the Commanders’ offense in Week 11.
Chris Moore: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards
Jacoby Jones: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 25 Yards
Jaylin Lane: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Colson Yankoff: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Robbie Chosen: 1 Target
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 14/20, 171 Yards
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a very game-manager performance against the Commanders. He attempted only 20 passes, finished without a touchdown, and — importantly — avoided throwing an interception, which has been a problem for him this season. He did have a few plays that came close to being picked off, but overall, he kept the ball out of harm’s way.
Tagovailoa had plenty of time in the pocket throughout the game, allowing him to hit his receivers on rhythm throws and stay within the structure of the offense. He rarely pushed the ball deep, instead leaning heavily on short throws — nearly a quarter of his targets went to De’Von Achane on checkdowns and swing passes.
One of Tua’s biggest mistakes came on a poor sack that stalled a promising drive and forced Miami to settle for a field goal instead of having a chance at a touchdown. Still, Miami has clearly shifted to a run-first identity, and Tagovailoa played his role effectively. He did what was needed to help secure the win.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: 21 Carries, 120 Yards | 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 45 Yards
The star of the Dolphins’ offense, De’Von Achane, delivered another elite performance, finishing with 165 total yards and dominating the game from start to finish. In the first half, the offense revolved almost entirely around him. If he wasn’t ripping off runs, he was turning short passes into big gains. Achane consistently produced chunk plays, carving through the Commanders’ run defense with ease. He even had a 20-yard run called back due to a penalty that would have padded his already impressive stat line.
In the second half, Miami mixed in Ollie Gordon more often as they shifted to a conservative, mistake-avoiding approach. Even so, Achane continued to break off explosive runs and was instrumental in helping the Dolphins tie the game late. There was a brief scare when he stayed down after a big hit — it looked like he simply had the wind knocked out of him — but he quickly returned.
Fantasy managers got a bonus when he caught a 22-yard pass on the final play of regulation against a prevent defense. Achane completely controlled this game and clearly remains the centerpiece of the Dolphins’ backfield for the foreseeable future.
Ollie Gordon: 9 Carries, 45 Yards, TD
Rookie running back Ollie Gordon appeared to settle back into his backup role — or perhaps the Dolphins simply eased his workload in this game. Gordon did manage to steal a touchdown in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on multiple red-zone opportunities, though he was only able to convert one of them.
Miami primarily used Gordon in goal-line and short-yardage situations, where his size and power are most effective. He also delivered a highlight moment with a 20-yard run while the Dolphins were backed up near their own 5-yard line. Outside of that, his usage was limited compared to Achane’s.
Gordon profiles more as a traditional backup than a true complement to Achane, but he fills an important role. His big-bodied, physical running style gives the Dolphins a hammer in their offense when they need tough yards.
Jaylen Wright: 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 52 Yards
Dolphins top pass catcher Jaylen Waddle had one of his quieter outings in the post-Tyreek Hill era, though he still managed to lead the team with seven targets. When he did connect with Tua, Waddle flashed the dynamic separation ability and route quickness that make him such a valuable weapon.
Drops were the biggest issue for him in this game. He had two catchable passes slip through his hands — one clearly on him, and another late in the game on a slightly off-target throw where he was wide open in the flat. Had he secured both, Waddle likely finishes with around five receptions and close to 75 yards.
He also nearly had a touchdown on a tightly contested play, but the defender was able to get just enough contact on the ball as Waddle was extending for the catch. In a game where Miami played conservatively and leaned run-heavy, the opportunities weren’t ideal. Waddle should have much stronger weeks ahead in higher-scoring matchups.
Malik Washington: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards
Dolphins No. 2 receiver Malik Washington made a few solid catches in this game, flashing the speed that helps him create separation on his routes. His biggest play came on an 18-yard gain where he cleanly beat his defender and turned upfield.
Miami didn’t feature him in the gadget or designed touches we’ve seen in other weeks — instead, he played a more traditional receiver role. Washington doesn’t offer much fantasy upside, but he remains a steady complementary option who can see three to five targets in most games.
Greg Dulcich: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 18 Yards
Tight end Greg Dulcich continues to bring some life to the Dolphins’ tight end room, even if his opportunities were limited in this one. With Miami attempting only 20 passes, the journeyman tight end didn’t have many chances to make an impact. Still, he made two impressive catches, showing his ability to separate and break tackles after the catch.
Dulcich has flashed enough to suggest that bigger games are possible, especially when the Dolphins aren’t operating such a conservative, run-heavy game plan. He remains a name to watch as Miami’s passing volume inevitably increases in future matchups.
Julian Hill: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 14 Yards