MADRID — Jack Jones delivered a highlight-worthy finish to the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Spain — and celebrated it in iconic Madrid fashion.
Moments after snatching an overtime interception, the Miami Dolphins cornerback sprinted toward the sideline, leapt, twisted, and spread his arms wide in a move instantly recognizable to fans at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was Jones’ nod to Cristiano Ronaldo, who made the celebration famous during his Real Madrid years.
“I had to do it,” Jones said. “I told my friend before the game, ‘If I make a play, watch for the celebration.’”
His pick came on Washington’s first snap of overtime, stepping in front of tight end Zach Ertz to intercept Marcus Mariota. That turnover set up Riley Patterson’s 29-yard field goal, sealing a 16–13 win for Miami.
Mariota said the Dolphins defense forced him into the throw.
“They covered our first reads well,” he said. “I tried to work back to Zach, but the defender jumped it. Credit to him — it was a good play.”
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks revealed Jones predicted the moment just seconds before it happened.
“He told us, ‘Y’all stop the run. He’s going to throw me the ball — he can’t throw,’” Brooks said. “Made it even cooler when it happened.”
Washington (3–8) nearly prevented overtime altogether. With 15 seconds left in regulation, kicker Matt Gay had a chance to end the team’s five-game skid, but his 56-yard attempt drifted wide right — his second miss of the day.
“It hurts,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. “The guys battled and we had our shot to win. We didn’t finish.”
Miami (4–7) also faltered in short-yardage situations, getting stuffed twice on fourth-and-goal in the closing minutes — including after Washington muffed a punt deep in its own territory.
Sunday’s matchup capped the NFL’s largest-ever slate of international games, seven in total, in a season marked by the league’s push for global expansion. A crowd of 78,610 packed the revamped Bernabéu, and halftime featured performances from Puerto Rican star Daddy Yankee and Argentine producer Bizarrap.
Washington, still missing injured rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, has now dropped six straight after last week’s 44–22 home loss to Detroit. Miami entered the game riding momentum from a 30–13 win over Buffalo.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel praised his team’s perseverance.
“They believed, and now they’ve earned real belief through performance,” McDaniel said. “We’re excited for the next one. We need the time off, but honestly, our guys would probably play again tomorrow.”
Quarterbacks and key performances
Tua Tagovailoa completed 14 of 20 passes for 171 yards, avoiding turnovers in a steady outing for Miami.
“Great team win,” Tagovailoa said. “We want to carry this into the bye week and beyond.”
Mariota finished 20 of 30 for 213 yards with one touchdown and the overtime interception. He also added 49 rushing yards, including a 44-yard burst immediately after clearing concussion protocol.
De’Von Achane fueled Miami’s offense with 120 rushing yards on 21 carries plus 45 receiving yards. Brooks anchored the defense with 20 tackles. For Washington, Chris Rodríguez ran for 49 yards, and Deebo Samuel led the receivers with 74 yards.
How the game unfolded
After two field goals apiece in the first half, Washington opened the third quarter with a crisp scoring drive. Samuel caught a screen from Mariota, followed excellent blocking, and sprinted 20 yards for the game’s first touchdown.
Miami quickly marched back to Washington’s 2-yard line on the next drive but failed to convert on fourth-and-goal when Tagovailoa’s pass to Jaylen Waddle fell incomplete.
The Dolphins tied the game on their next possession with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ollie Gordon.
Mariota later pushed Washington to Miami’s 1-yard line — helped by his 44-yard breakaway run — but misfired on fourth-and-goal after Ertz stumbled on his route.
The Commanders forced a punt, but returner Mike Sainristil muffed it, and Miami recovered with four minutes left. The Dolphins again reached the 1 but were stuffed on fourth down, leaving Washington a final chance to drive for the win that ultimately ended with Gay’s miss.
Injury updates
- Dolphins: DB JuJu Brents exited with an ankle injury. Achane briefly left with a back issue but returned. S Jordan Colbert was ruled out early with a concussion.
- Commanders: G Sam Cosmi was banged up in the fourth quarter but came back. WR Jaylin Lane was listed as questionable after a third-quarter injury.
What’s next
Both teams head into a bye:
Dolphins: Host New Orleans on Nov. 30.
Commanders: Host Denver on Nov. 30.
