Miami Dolphins Break Franchise Records: Tua Tagovailoa & Tyreek Hill Ignite Super Bowl Dreams

Subhead: Dolphins Land in Madrid for NFL’s First Regular-Season Game in Spain The Miami Dolphins wake up this Sunday under Spanish skies, ready to script league history against the Washington Commanders at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Kickoff for the Week 11 clash is set for 9:30 a.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local), marking the NFL’s inaugural regular-season appearance in Spain and the sixth different country to host a game outside the United States. Subhead: Why Madrid Matters to Miami For head coach Mike McDaniel’s 3-7 Dolphins, the international stage offers more than novelty; it provides a clean slate after an uneven first half of the season. Miami spent the week partnering with local club Madrid Bravos to grow grassroots American football, painting the city aqua and showcasing the franchise’s global brand ambitions. The NFL’s broader strategy aligns perfectly with owner Stephen Ross’s vision of turning the Dolphins into a worldwide name. Subhead: Tagovailoa vs. Mariota Headlines Quarterback Duel Tua Tagovailoa, fresh off a 300-yard outing in Week 10, faces fellow 2020 draftee Marcus Mariota, who’s replacing injured Sam Howell for Washington. Tagovailoa’s quick-strike accuracy will test a Commanders defense surrendering 27.6 points per game, while Miami’s secondary must account for Terry McLaurin’s deep threat. Expect the Dolphins to lean on electric back De’Von Achane and wideout Jaylen Waddle to stretch the field horizontally and vertically. Subhead: Key Storylines to Watch 1. Home-Field Neutral? Real Madrid’s soccer cathedral seats 80,000; organizers report a sell-out heavy on turquoise jerseys. Noise levels could mimic a South Florida Sunday, handing Miami an edge despite 4,400 miles of travel. 2. Defensive Reset Coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit is 25th in yards allowed but flashes promise when linebacker Brooks and rookie pass-rusher Trader Jr. force early pressure. Washington’s rebuilt offensive line has surrendered 34 sacks; Miami needs takeaways to flip field position. 3. Playoff Math At 3-7, the Dolphins remain two games back of the final AFC wild-card spot. A win in Madrid keeps slim postseason hopes alive ahead of a brutal three-game stretch versus Buffalo, Baltimore and Kansas City. Subhead: What a Win Would Mean A victory abroad fuels locker-room belief and cements the Dolphins as pioneers of the NFL’s latest expansion push. It also delivers a global marketing bump: merchandise sales spiked 41 percent week-over-week after tickets went on sale, according to team officials. With Hard Rock Stadium renovations tying Miami to future international bids, today’s result could influence whether the franchise returns to Europe in 2026. Subhead: How to Watch in the U.S. and Spain • TV: NFL Network, CBS Miami • Streaming: NFL+ and DAZN (international) • Radio: Dolphins Radio Network, 560 WQAM Subhead: Bottom Line History favors bold offenses, and McDaniel’s creative play-calling should thrive on Bernabéu’s fast hybrid turf. If Tagovailoa protects the football and Miami’s front four rattles Mariota early, the Dolphins can fly home 4-7 with momentum—and a page in the record books.