Commanders 20 Dolphins 7

(This story has been updated with quotes from players and coaches)

Welcome to the 2026 NFL season.

The Washington Commanders (1-0) started the exhibition portion of the campaign with a 20-7 win against the Miami Dolphins (0-1).

The prevailing theory through out the first part of training camp is that this year’s roster is more talented than the past two seasons, that many players cut in three weeks are NFL roster caliber players. That thinking was partially validated by the play of several players projected as valuable backups this year.

Miami scored on the first possession, a 14 play, 93 yard drive that ended with a one yard De’von Achane touchdown run. That drive will be graded on a curve by the coaching staff as Miami played its starters against backups and rookies for Washington.

“I wasn’t pleased defensively on the first drive,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “I just felt like it was slow
going there. And then I thought they got their feet underneath them and got going. But on both sides,
we started a little slower than I would've liked. And then I thought the teams got rolling from there and there was a lot of battling back and forth.”

Once the Dolphins pulled their starters, Washington took control.

Rookie running backs Kaytron Allen and and Robert Henry Jr. both had strong outings.

Trailing 7-3 late in the second quarter, Henry Jr. broke free on a 22 yard run over the right side of the line to score his first NFL touchdown to put Washington into the lead 10-7.

After holding Miami’s offense to a three and out series, it was Allen’s turn. The rookie from Penn State touched the ball on six of the 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by a one yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 17-7 at halftime.

Henry Jr. finished the game with 12 rushes for 78 yards. Allen rushed for 85 yards on 23 carries. Both scored and both proved capable of getting tough yards on important plays.

“I’m just excited. I gotta thank God, man, just to be here,” Allen said after the game. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but
here. I’m just grateful, man. I just love that I am a Washington Commander. I’m gonna enjoy it, man.
Enjoy every last moment. Like I said, I can be better, but I’m just blessed that I even got to play in the game, so I know I will be better.”

On the defensive side of the ball, projected starter and first round draft pick Sonny Stiles started the game and played one series, recording 3 tackles including one solo.

A number of back ups and players fighting for roster spots played well, making roster decisions that much harder.

Linebacker Ale Kaho and safeties Quan Martin and Malik Spencer each had interceptions. Martin picked off Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers in the first half and Kaho and Spencer got to Cam Miller in the second half.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for Washington was quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The rookie from Rutgers has been quiet in training camp but displayed a live arm, good decision making and poise, out playing incumbent third string QB Sam Hartman.

Kaliakmanis completed 6 of 10 passes for 87 yards and finished the game with a quarterback rating of 88.3. Hardly elite, but almost double Hartman’s number.

“Oh man, right now the thing I’m thinking about is how appreciative I am of [QBs] Sam [Hartman], Marcus [Mariota], and Jayden [Daniels] because I went in there and they didn’t have to help me,” Kaliakmanis said. “They didn’t have to stay with me. They didn’t have to do extra walk-throughs with me. They didn’t have to sit in meetings and answer my questions. [QBs] Sam [Hatman] did that, Marcus [Mariota] did that, and Jayden [Daniels] did that, so it speaks a lot. It speaks a lot about the team and the veterans from the top down. Because I feel like this is home for me and I felt like that the second I walked in. And the QB room I can’t say enough about it. They’ve been nothing but helpful towards me they’ve helped everything when I needed it even during practice, so I really appreciate that.”

Post Game Notes:

Marcus Mariota left the game in the first quarter after taking a hit in the first quarter. Quinn said he would be re-evaluated over the weekend….. Second year receiver Jaylin Lane led the team in receptions with three for 31 yards…. Punter Matt Hack, filling in for an injured Tress Way averaged 44.7 yards on 6 kicks. Way was able to hold on field goals and extra points and is expected to be back by the beginning of the regular season.