Hogs Haven
Washington Post (paywall)
Washington’s losing streak is six following Miami’s 16-13 victory in Madrid set up by several Commanders mistakes.
The Washington Commanders touched down in Madrid with hopes this time would be different — that a new environment and some team bonding over dinner would help start to turn their terrible season around.
Instead, the misery simply followed them to a new continent, just as it had followed them from Landover; to Arlington, Texas; to Kansas City, Missouri; and back again over the past six weeks.
In the first NFL regular season game played in Spain, Washington suffered a devastating 16-13 loss in overtime against the Miami Dolphins. Along the way, they introduced the soccer-first fans at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to some of the woeful lapses that have defined their ongoing skid: missed field goals by Matt Gay, including one that would have won the game in regulation. A muffed punt by Mike Sainristil beforehand. And, ultimately, a wayward throw by Marcus Mariota on the first play of scrimmage in overtime.
The Athletic (paywall)
Now 3-8 and headed into their bye week, Washington’s chances of making the playoffs remain at less than 1 percent while its odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft are up to 2 percent, according to The Athletic’s NFL Playoff Simulator. Even if it wins all six of its remaining games, Washington’s chances of a playoff berth increase to only 16 percent.
Six consecutive losses will do that. The Commanders didn’t get it done.
But this time, it wasn’t because of the defense.
Complementary football has eluded the Commanders for much of the season, including Sunday. When one unit scores or comes up with a stop, the others can never seem to match and carry on the momentum. Rarely have all three phases — offense, defense and special teams — played well in one game for Washington. Instead, the mistakes of one usually bring down the collective.
This loss was squarely on the special teams and offense, whose mistakes proved insurmountable.
The Athletic (paywall)
Before Sunday, NFL teams were 1-65 this season in games when they finished with negative EPA on both offense and defense. Minnesota’s Week 9 victory over Detroit had been the only exception.
The Dolphins joined those exclusive (?) ranks with their 16-13 victory over Washington. They had been 0-11 in those games under McDaniel previously and 6-89 (.063) in them overall since 2000, per TruMedia.
Jack Jones’ interception of backup Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota to open overtime was the pivotal play in the end, but Washington might have lost this game on special teams. Commanders returner Mike Sainristil muffed a punt in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, and kicker Matt Gay missed...
