The Commanders fall to the Dolphins in Spain because of costly mistakes by key players, and one returning problem
The Commanders lose another in a way that summerizes the season.
The Washington Commanders have just lost their sixth straight game after a disappointing loss to the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain, and now they head into a much-needed bye week.
This was as ugly a game as could be, but there were some positives, such as the defense finally playing better with head coach Dan Quinn taking over as defensive coordinator. The main takeaways, however, are how the Commanders made too many mistakes at the wrong time.
Special teams mistakes and an uncharacteristic turnover by quarterback Marcus Mariota gave the Dolphins every chance to win the game, and they did.
Special teams errors are at an all-time high for the season
The Commanders have been so bad over the last two months that people forgot that the kicking situation has been on thin ice since the season started. It couldn’t be ignored today, however, as Matt Gay went two of four in field goals and missed both attempts over 50 yards, including the 56-yard attempt that would’ve won the game.
Gay is now kicking 73% of the season and is now four of nine on kicks 50+ yards, which isn’t good enough to keep your job, especially when you’re missing a game-winning kick. The field goals weren’t the only special teams errors, though, as Mike Sainristil muffed a punt late in the game that erased what could’ve been a huge drive for the Commanders.
Rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane is the usual punt returner, but he left the game earlier with an injury, which meant Sainristil had to come in. It turned out to be a costly injury when he gave the ball right back to the Dolphins late in the fourth quarter.
Even after the numerous mistakes on special teams, the Commanders still had a chance to win in overtime, but it didn’t last long once overtime started.
Marcus Mariota throws a costly interception
The Commanders got the ball to start overtime, and it only lasted one play when Mariota threw a costly interception on the first play of overtime.
This ended up being Mariota’s fifth interception of the season, and it came at the worst time possible. The offense struggled overall for the majority of the game, and the game ended in the only way it could’ve, summarizing the Commanders’ season.
The Commanders leave Spain with a 3-8 record with a better draft pick after jumping the Dolphins in the order, and that’s about the only positive news as they head into their Week 12 bye week and the season over.
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