Riley Patterson’s 29-yard field goal with 7:37 remaining in overtime lifted the Miami Dolphins to a 16-13 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Madrid, Spain.
The winning score was set up when Jack Jones intercepted Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota on the first play of the extra period and returned it to the Commanders’ 33-yard line.
De’Von Achane, who led the Dolphins with 120 rushing yards on 21 carries and 165 all-purpose yards, got Miami 22 yards closer on three carries to set up Patterson’s game-winner.
It was Achane’s third consecutive 100-yard rushing game as Miami (4-7) won back-to-back contests for the first time this season.
Mariota, who made his second consecutive start for the Commanders at quarterback for an injured Jayden Daniels (elbow), completed 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. But his lone interception set Washington (3-8) on the path to its sixth consecutive defeat.
Each team had chances to take the lead in regulation.
Washington’s Mike Sainristil muffed a punt and Dolphins’ defensive back Ethan Bonner recovered at the Washington 42 with 4:11 left.
The Dolphins drove to Washington’s 1 before Achane was stopped cold by Javon Kinlaw for no gain on third and goal. Miami went for it on 4th and goal instead of kicking a go-ahead field goal, and Ollie Gordon II was stuffed for a 1-yard loss, turning the ball over on downs with 1:41 left.
Washington’s push into Miami territory ended with Matt Gay missing a 56-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Earlier in the fourth, the Commanders also went for it on fourth and goal from Miami’s 2 instead of trying a go-ahead field goal. Mariota slipped as he threw and the throw sailed out of the reach of Zach Ertz, ending the drive with 6:03 left.
The Commanders broke a 6-6 tie in the third quarter with the game’s first touchdown when Mariota found Deebo Samuel on a quick screen. The 20-yard score put Washington ahead 13-6. Samuel finished the game with seven receptions for 74 yards.
The Dolphins tied the game 13-13 with 12:36 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by Gordon, which capped a 10-play, 53-yard drive.
