The Washington Commanders dropped to 3-8 on the season on Sunday, losing to the Miami Dolphins 16-13 in overtime. While it was a sixth straight loss, this one came down to the wire, and the Commanders didn’t tie the 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers by losing five games in a row by 20 or more points.
Sunday’s game was the first for head coach Dan Quinn as the defensive play-caller. Washington’s defense played much better, but you also must consider the opponent. While the Dolphins have several offensive playmakers, such as De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is streaky. Washington did a good job of getting defensive stops, including two goal-line stands.
The Commanders outgained the Dolphins 379-311. Unfortunately, Miami won the turnover battle, 2-0, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Here are six takeaways from Sunday’s game.
Dan Quinn did make a difference
This defense isn’t going to magically get better with a change at defensive coordinator. Personnel is a problem. Injuries are a problem. However, with some simple tweaks in coverages, pressure packages, and less man coverage, you can find ways to get off the field. The Commanders did that on Sunday. For instance, there was one play where Quinn sent cornerback Jonathan Jones on a blitz. Jones sacked Tagovailoa on third down. It was a well-timed call and executed to perfection. Joe Whitt Jr. either didn’t have the confidence to make those calls or trust the personnel.
You must also consider the opponent. The Dolphins aren’t one of the worst NFL offenses, but they are a step down from the Chiefs, Seahawks and Lions. Still, Washington got stops, something it had been unable to do pretty much all season. Would it have made a difference if Quinn had made the switch earlier? Perhaps, but the Commanders weren’t stopping the Lions. This defense has so many holes. Sunday’s game ended any chance of Whitt staying on in a different role next season. Look, it was doubtful anyway, but Sunday sealed it. Both sides need a fresh start. Can Quinn help Washington steal an unexpected win or two over the final six games? Probably, but we’ll see. Most of the injured defenders are done for the year.
Jordan Magee is the best linebacker
Bobby Wagner’s better days are behind him. That’s not a knock on him, but Father Time catches everyone. Wagner’s a liability in coverage. Frankie Luvu has majorly regressed from last season, like most of Washington’s defenders. Magee, in his second NFL season, has been playing extensively in recent weeks. He’s had some good moments, some bad moments, as is typical for young players learning on the fly. On Sunday, Magee had his best game. He gives the defense something it sorely lacks: speed. Magee made two open-field tackles on De’Von Achane that many NFL linebackers could never make. He’s playing outside right now, but Washington needs to know if he can play MIKE moving forward. It may be time for a tough conversation with Wagner. You don’t even need to bench him, but he should definitely be playing fewer snaps. The Commanders need to evaluate Magee in the middle. He’s one of the positive from Sunday.
Zach Ertz needs to sit for good
Zach Ertz’s final numbers were solid. He caught four passes for 42 yards, but let’s discuss his negative plays. Washington was driving at the end of the first half, and Ertz simply slid. Was he avoiding contact? Time was not an issue. He could’ve kept going. It made no sense in the moment.
Zach Ertz has had a nice half. I’m not sure why he automatically slid here. Not a clock situation.
There’s space to rumble for some yards and turn this into a big play. WSH so desperately needs some post-catch play making at TE and WR. pic.twitter.com/l7n1RTUxXK
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 16, 2025
Then, on a fourth-and-goal late, Kliff Kingsbury calls the perfect play, Marcus Mariota throws it to the right spot and Ertz slips. This probably wins the game.
Then, there was the weekly Zach Ertz false start. That’s too many mistakes for a veteran player. Ertz has had an incredible career. He was essential for Washington last season. But it’s time for the Commanders to bench him and go with Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff and John Bates exclusively at tight end. Dan Quinn needs to overrule Kingsbury.
Uneven game for OC Kliff Kingsbury
There were some posts on X that said, “Kliff is in his bag.” They’re usually from the same people who say “let AP (GM Adam Peters) cook.” Others said Kliff was horrible—the truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle. When Washington got into the red zone, Kingsbury was predictable. His third-down play-calling wasn’t great. There was the designed QB run with Mariota that was stopped for a loss. Everyone at home knew what was coming, don’t you think the Dolphins did? Washington’s offense stalled inside the five-yard line because it was predictable.
There’s also the case of Chris Rodriguez Jr. He carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards, but seemed to disappear late. He should’ve kept feeding Rodriguez, who churns out tough yards. If Rodriguez was injured late, then disregard. If he were healthy, why was he not getting the ball late?
And what was up with the time management on some of these drives? Go back and watch the last drive in regulation. Were they playing for a long field goal that Matt Gay would miss, instead of trying to score a touchdown?
Also, why can’t we see the quarterback line up under center and run the ball every once in a while? Last week, he said it was more for Jayden Daniels’s comfort. Daniels did not play, and Mariota was still in the pistol multiple times in short-yardage situations. There’s no right or wrong way to do something, but why not try something different?
Mike Sainristil’s bad day
It’s remarkable the difference between 2024 Sainristil and 2025 Sainristil. Some will attribute it to being more comfortable playing outside cornerback than in the slot. Sainristil loses at the line of scrimmage on almost every snap, and he’s immediately playing catch-up. By that point, it’s too late. On Sunday, Sainristil wasn’t beaten a lot, but two negative plays stood out in a major way.
First, he dropped an interception. Tagovailoa threw it deep, and it hit Sainristil right in the hands. He dropped it. Miami would score on that drive. But Sainristil’s most egregious mistake came in the fourth quarter after an impressive Washington defensive stop. Sainristil was back deep to return a punt after primary returner Jaylin Lane was injured earlier in the game. Sainristil ran up to the punt, immediately fumbling it and giving the Dolphins excellent field position. While the Commanders’ defense would get a big stop, the fumble may have prevented Washington from winning the game in regulation.
It’s fair to be concerned about Sainristil. But he didn’t just forget how to play. Over a year and a half ago, Nick Saban called Sainristil perhaps the best pound-for-pound player in the 2024 NFL draft. Six games are remaining this season. Of course, you’d like to see him turn things around in 2025. But time is winding down. The Commanders need Sainristil. Adam Peters has selected a cornerback in the second round in consecutive years. At times, it’s looked like he’s hit home runs, but even now, you have to wonder.
Don’t blame the defense
Was the defense perfect? No. But that side of the ball made multiple stops on Sunday. The Commanders even had two goal-line stands. It was impressive. They sacked Tagovailoa three times. Sure, they didn’t create a turnover and allowed some big Achane runs, but overall, this side of the ball played well enough to win.
Offensively, Ertz made mistakes, Chris Moore dropped a deep ball late, Mariota’s interception in overtime, and red-zone woes crushed the offense. On special teams, kicker Matt Gay missed two more kicks, including the potential game-winner. It’s time for him to go. How many 70% kickers do you see in the NFL? It’s not about leg strength for Gay. He pushes everything right. Then, you had Sainristil’s fumble. The offense and special teams lost this game.