The Dolphins and Commanders will make NFL history Sunday as the league continues to widen its reach around the globe with Miami and Washington competing in the first-ever regular season game played in Spain.
Both teams spent the week abroad ahead of Sunday's showdown, which will take place at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Spanish soccer team Real Madrid C.F.
"This is my third international game but being able to travel internationally and visit different cultures I think is a cool thing," quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. "Not just with the food, with the language, with the people as well."
The Dolphins enter this game playing their best football of the season. Winners of two of the last three games, Miami is finding balance on offense and the same rhythm discovered by the 2024 defense right around the mid-point of the season.
Since Week 7, the Dolphins are first in EPA (expected points added) per rush attempt, eighth in success rate, and 12th in EPA per play.
"There's been continued belief throughout and there's been a steady climb," Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver said. "I think from Game 1 until now, we've gotten better every week. The results haven't been there, certainly not what we wanted, but I think last week was just the culmination of hard work of so many. We were able to go out there and put four strong quarters together."
The Commanders made the trek to Spain in a different swing of their season. They've lost three straight games by a combined score of 110-43. This is a team, however, that played in the NFC Championship Game 10 months ago.
The biggest weakness for the Commanders over the last three games has been perhaps their performance against opposing running backs. Enter De'Von Achane.
No defense has allowed more receiving yards by running backs this year than Washington. Among running backs, Achane is second in receptions (49), fourth in receiving yards (326), and tied for first with four receiving touchdowns.
"He's a fantastic player," left tackle Patrick Paul said of Achane. "Dynamic and he can make a lot of people miss. His speed is lightning fast, so if you give him any space, he'll score. That's what we got to keep doing. Give him some space, he'll score – great player."
The Commanders will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive tackle Daron Payne. The Dolphins will get outside linebacker Chop Robinson back – he missed last week's game against Buffalo with a concussion. Fellow linebacker Bradley Chubb was added to the injury report Friday with a foot injury and is listed as questionable.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network and locally on CBS Miami. You can also listen live on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
