Printable Page
11/16 16:05 CST Jones celebrates in Cristiano Ronaldo style as Dolphins beat
Commanders 16-13 in overtime in Spain
Jones celebrates in Cristiano Ronaldo style as Dolphins beat Commanders 16-13
in overtime in Spain
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Jack Jones had a fitting celebration after his overtime
interception in the first NFL regular-season game in Spain.
The Miami Dolphins cornerback ran toward the sideline and stretched his arms
wide after a twisting jump in front of his teammates. Jones was imitating
Cristiano Ronaldo, the soccer great who used to celebrate like that at the
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when he played for Real Madrid.
"I had to bring that out," he said. "I was talking to my friend and I'm like,
?When I make a play, be ready for that celebration.'"
Jones intercepted Marcus Mariota on the first offensive play of overtime and
Riley Patterson kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 16-13
victory over the Washington Commanders.
Jones cut in front of Commanders tight end Zach Ertz and came away with the
ball.
"They covered our first couple of options well," Mariota said. "I tried to get
back side to Zach. Guy undercut it and made a play. Unfortunate there, and give
credit to him. He made a good play."
Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks said Jones told him moments earlier that he
was going to come up with the interception, making "that moment a lot cooler."
"His exact words: Y'all stop the run. He's going to throw me the ball, because
he can't throw," Brooks said.
The Commanders (3-8) had a chance to win and end a five-game losing streak with
15 seconds left in regulation, but Matt Gay's 56-yard field goal attempt sailed
wide right. Gay, who said ahead of the game he was thrilled to have the chance
to play at the Bernabeu, missed two of his four field goal attempts.
"It's tough," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. "This one stings. Guys are
definitely hurting, and I thought in a lot of spaces they battled, and we had
our opportunity to go win it. We didn't get that done."
The Dolphins (4-7) were twice stopped on fourth-and-goal, including inside the
final two minutes after recovering the ball on an earlier muffed punt return by
the Commanders. The muff came after the Commanders were stopped on
fourth-and-goal the other way.
It was the seventh --- and final --- international game this season, the most
in one year for the NFL as it continues to expand globally.
The game in Madrid saw Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee and Argentine
producer Bizarrap perform at halftime in front of a crowd of 78,610 at the
Bernabeu.
The Commanders, still without injured quarterback Jayden Daniels, have lost six
straight, including 44-22 to the Detroit Lions at home last week, while the
Dolphins were coming off a commanding 30-13 victory over the Bills.
"They fought for belief, and now they've been awarded real belief based on
performance and results," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said "So, I think we'll
be excited to play our next game. We need the time off. We definitely wish we
could play, our locker room would probably want to play tomorrow even though
they're a little beat up."
Miami's Tua Tagovailoa went 14 for 20 for 171 yards passing without any
touchdowns or interceptions.
"Great team victory," Tagovailoa said. "All wins are good and we are going to
carry this momentum along throughout the bye week and hopefully take it into
our next game."
Mariota went 20 for 30 for 213 yards with a touchdown and the interception in
overtime. He also had 49 yards rushing, including 44 on a run not long after he
was taken to the blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion.
Chris Rodrguez rushed for 49 yards for the Commanders, and Deebo Samuel had 74
yards receiving.
De'Von Achane had another big game for the Dolphins with 120 yards on 21
carries, plus 45 yards on five receptions. Brooks led the Dolphins with 20
total tackles.
After both teams exchanged a pair of field goals in the first half, the
Commanders put together a strong drive to begin the third quarter. Washington
scored the first touchdown of the game on a 20-yard reception by Samuel, who
took advantage of some good blocking up front after a screen pass by Mariota.
The Dolphins tried to respond quickly and drove to the Commanders 2-yard line,
but failed to score after an incomplete pass by Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle on
fourth down.
After the Commanders were held, Miami put together another strong possession
and Ollie Gordon scored on a 1-yard run.
Mariota led the Commanders to the 1 after temporarily leaving the game and
clearing concussion protocol, helped by a 44-yard run on which he sped through
the right side with seven Dolphins trying to catch him. But the Commanders
quarterback couldn't close out the drive with a score, throwing an incomplete
pass after Ertz tripped near the end of his route on fourth-and-goal.
The Dolphins were held on the next drive, but Mike Sainristil muffed the punt
and Ethan Bonner recovered for Miami at the Commanders 42 with about four
minutes left. After Achane couldn't get in from the 1 on third down, McDaniel
went for it on fourth down but the Commanders made another big stop as Gordon
also failed to get in.
Washington took over with 1:41 left in the game at the 3 and Mariota led the
team into field goal range, but Gay couldn't convert what would have likely
been a game-winner.
Injuries Dolphins: DB JuJu Brents left with an ankle injury. ... Achane injured his back in the fourth quarter, but returned. ... S Jordan Colbert was sidelined in the first half with a concussion. Commanders: G Sam Cosmi was injured in the fourth quarter, but returned. ... WR Jaylin Lane was listed as questionable in the third quarter. Up next Dolphins: Bye week before hosting New Orleans on Nov. 30. Commanders: Bye week before hosting Denver on Nov. 30. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl |
