Dolphins vs. Commanders Preview (11-15-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Image
MADRID, SPAIN— The Washington Commanders head overseas to face the Miami Dolphins in an overseas clash between the historic NFC and AFC franchises. Washington (3-7) is enduring a rough stretch, falling to the Detroit Lions 44-22 last Sunday at home and marking its fifth-straight loss. Miami (3-7), which shares Washington’s record, played spoiler the previous weekend, defeating their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, 30-13, one of the more shocking finishes on Sunday.
It’s been disappointing seasons, thus far, for both teams. Washington has endured the injury bug, which has affected both sides of the ball, and inconsistent play from the defense. Miami has been in the headlines for cultural issues, questioning the leadership of head coach Mike McDaniel and franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has publicly called out his team at one point in the season.
Even so, there’s still a game to play on Sunday.
Betting Odds
Miami enters the overseas matchup as the favorite to win with a 2.5 point spread.
Injury Report
Miami
● LB Bradley Chubb: Foot (Questionable)
● CB Rasul Douglas: Foot (Questionable)
● WR Dee Eskridge: Shoulder (Questionable)
Washington
● LB Jordan Magee: Knee (Questionable)
● TE Ben Sinnott: Ankle (Questionable)
Offensive injuries for Washington: Terry McLaurin (Quad), Jayen Daniels (Elbow), & Treylon Burks (Finger) are all out. Daron Payne is missing Sunday’s game, serving a one-game suspension after punching Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in last week’s game.
How to watch the game?
Location: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain
Start time: 9:30 a.m. U.S. Time
Where can I watch: NFL Network
Quinn Calling Plays on Defense
Washington head coach Dan Quinn announced Monday that he’ll be taking over the playcalling on defense, which demotes defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to the back. I’m not saying that way to be brutal, but it’s the hard truth. Have the players on defense been playing well? No. But when you are constantly having communication issues, blown coverages, matchup issues, mistackling, and more, you need answers. That’s where people start to ask, are the coaches putting their players in the best situation to succeed, and what is the scheming looking like?
We will see what Sunday brings for Quinn’s playcalling and how aggressive he is in calling the game for his defense, dialing up more blitzes to relieve pressure on the secondary, and utilizing different players on the roster to create favorable matchups.
Players to watch
● Seattle: Jaylen Waddle: The Commanders are down cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore & Trey Amos, with safety Will Harris still on IR. Mike Sainristil has still struggled to capture the success he had in his rookie season a year ago. Waddle is a fast route technician and big-catch receiver who has been somewhat forgotten since the addition of Tyreek Hill. But with Hill out for the season since the beginning of the year, he’s reminded people of his ability to be the WR1 for Miami.
● Washington Jer’Zhan Newton: Newton has seen inconsistent playing time in his second season in D.C. He’s had games where he’s featured more than others, depending on the matchup. However, with Payne out Sunday, Newton is sure to receive way more snaps on the field. Can the young defensive tackle have a breakout performance using his speed and versatile power moves to get after the quarterback and live in the backfield?
History vs. Seattle Seahawks
I. This will be the 17th meeting between the Dolphins and Commanders. Miami leads the series 10-6 all-time, including a 14-7 victory in Super Bowl VII; however, Washington defeated Miami in Super Bowl XVII 27-17.
II. Miami won the previous matchup back in 2023, 45-15.
Final Take
We are not looking at the schedule ahead or playoff odds that are certainly nonexistent at this point. It’s simple: can Washington play a complete game on both sides, keep the game from getting out of hand, and come out victorious? This game will show who loves the game and keeps fighting for their teammates & coaches, playing hard every down, no matter where their record sits at the moment. Establish the run on offense, which has been missing for nearly a month now, protect Mariota, and, defensively, stay efficient and on the positive side of plays.
