Dolphins Seek to Build On Breakout Bills Win as Madrid Hosts Commanders Clash

The Miami Dolphins’ journey through the 2025 NFL season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, but last week’s 30-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills may have marked a much-needed turning point.

After seven straight losses to their AFC East rivals, Miami strung together its most complete performance of the year—a spark they are determined to turn into a streak as they arrive in Madrid for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.

Head coach Mike McDaniel described last week’s win as a showcase in “complete execution of a three-phase football game,” according to the Associated Press.

From offense, to defense, to special teams, Miami’s confidence seemed to blossom as Tua Tagovailoa threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, while De’Von Achane electrified the ground game with a pair of rushing scores. The defense came up big with three takeaways and three sacks, stamping out any doubts about their fight.

“We needed to see what it felt like to put together a total team win,” McDaniel told reporters as the team acclimated to the sights—and the time zone—of Spain’s capital. “What matters now is proving that wasn’t a one-off. Flying across the ocean, we want to keep the formula right, focus on our process, and bring that same energy against Washington.”

This week’s opponent, the Commanders, arrive in Madrid on a five-game skid, but McDaniel dismissed the notion of any easy outs in today’s NFL. “You run yourself into trouble if you look past anyone in this league. Every win has to be earned, no matter where you play,” McDaniel cautioned.

International games have become familiar territory for the Dolphins—this will be the franchise’s eighth regular-season game abroad, trailing only Jacksonville in overseas experience.

Tua Tagovailoa Ready for War

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, now in his third international appearance, took some time to soak in Madrid’s culture before getting down to business.

“Traveling internationally is always special,” Tagovailoa said. “Exploring the city, its cathedrals, the local food—those are unique memories off the field. The real adjustment is the jet lag and time zone, but spending all this time together builds team chemistry.”

Fullback Alec Ingold highlighted the squad’s focus on maintaining routines despite the shifted schedule. “Jet lag is a real challenge for prep, but there’s an upside: the constant time together brings us closer, strengthens communication, and sharpens us mentally.”

The Dolphins’ win against Buffalo wasn’t just a momentary high. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler stressed that sustaining momentum hinges on consistency and laser focus: “You can’t just make corrections and move on. You’ve got to lock in and repeat the formula. This week—and only this week—matters.”

With Miami now at 3-7 and fighting to claw their way back into relevance, Madrid’s spotlight offers a unique stage to show that last week’s dominant performance wasn’t a fluke. As the NFL pushes its global expansion, the Dolphins are ready to put on a show in Europe—hungry to “copy, paste, repeat,” and take a step forward together.