The Washington Commanders opened the 2026 preseason with a convincing 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on August 14 at Northwest Stadium. The Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats tell a story of two very different performances: Miami started efficiently, while Washington became stronger as the game progressed and dominated the second half.
After Miami scored a touchdown on its opening drive, Washington’s reserve defense shut down the Dolphins for the remainder of the contest. The Commanders also established control on the ground, with rookies Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. combining for 160 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Four takeaways from Washington’s defense further separated the teams.
Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats at a Glance
| Category | Washington Commanders | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 20 | 7 |
| Record after game | 1-0 preseason | 0-1 preseason |
| Leading rusher | Kaytron Allen, 85 yards | De’Von Achane, 39 yards |
| Top rushing production | Allen and Henry: 160 yards | Achane and Gordon: 78 yards |
| Passing leader | Sam Hartman, 80 yards | Malik Willis, 43 yards |
| Defensive takeaways | 4 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 3 | 1 |
| Sacks recorded | Ricky Barber, 1.0 | Multiple defenders |
| Key momentum play | Quan Martin interception | Opening-drive touchdown |
Commanders Take Control After Miami’s Fast Start
Miami looked comfortable during the opening possession, with De’Von Achane helping establish the running game and the Dolphins reaching the end zone. That early success, however, did not continue once Miami moved deeper into its quarterback rotation.
Washington responded by leaning heavily on its running backs and allowing its reserve defense to attack Miami’s less experienced offensive units. The Commanders ultimately held the Dolphins scoreless across the final three quarters.
That defensive turnaround was one of the clearest themes in the Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats. Four Washington takeaways repeatedly disrupted Miami’s offense and prevented the Dolphins from building sustained drives.
Quarterback Statistics Reveal Miami’s Second-Half Struggles
The quarterback numbers were especially revealing because both teams used multiple passers.
Miami Dolphins Passing
| Player | C/ATT | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Willis | 4/5 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 102.5 |
| Cam Miller | 3/11 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.3 |
| Quinn Ewers | 1/8 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.6 |
Malik Willis produced Miami’s most efficient passing performance, completing four of five attempts for 43 yards without a turnover. The picture changed dramatically after his appearance.
Cam Miller completed only three of 11 passes and threw two interceptions, while Quinn Ewers completed one of eight attempts and also threw an interception. The combined struggles from the latter quarterbacks made it difficult for Miami to maintain offensive momentum.
Washington Commanders Passing
| Player | Completions | Passing Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hartman | 8 | 80 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41.0 |
| Athan Kaliakmanis | — | 87 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 88.3 |
| Marcus Mariota | — | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89.6 |
Sam Hartman completed eight passes for 80 yards, although his performance included an interception and a sack. Athan Kaliakmanis finished with 87 passing yards and avoided an interception, while Marcus Mariota contributed 22 yards before leaving the game with an injury.
The quarterback statistics need to be viewed in the context of preseason rotations. Coaches are evaluating players across different combinations of teammates, making raw passing totals less meaningful than they might be during the regular season.
Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. Lead Washington’s Ground Attack
Washington’s biggest offensive advantage came from its running game.
Kaytron Allen carried 23 times for 85 yards and scored a touchdown. Robert Henry Jr. added 75 yards on 12 carries and another touchdown. Together, the two young backs produced 160 rushing yards.
Washington Rushing and Receiving
| Player | Carries | Rush Yards | Rush TD | Receptions | Rec. Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaytron Allen | 23 | 85 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Robert Henry Jr. | 12 | 75 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sam Hartman | 3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacoby Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 33 |
| Jaylin Lane | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 31 |
| Colson Yankoff | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
| Dyami Brown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22 |
Allen’s 23 carries were particularly significant because they demonstrated Washington’s willingness to test its young backfield extensively. Henry provided an equally impressive change of pace, averaging more than six yards per carry.
The receiving numbers also showed contributions from Jacoby Jones, Jaylin Lane and Colson Yankoff, giving Washington several players opportunities to compete for larger roles.
De’Von Achane Provides Miami’s Main Offensive Spark
Miami’s rushing attack was led by De’Von Achane, who carried seven times for 39 yards and scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown.
Ollie Gordon II also gained 39 yards on seven carries, while Jaylen Wright added 22 yards on six attempts.
| Miami Player | Carries | Rush Yards | Rush TD | Receptions | Rec. Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De’Von Achane | 7 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 7 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaylen Wright | 6 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Caleb Douglas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 28 |
| Jalen Tolbert | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 27 |
| A. J. Henning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
| Malik Washington | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
Achane’s early production gave Miami a strong start, but the Dolphins struggled to replicate that effectiveness later in the game.
Washington’s Defense Creates the Decisive Difference
The defensive side of the Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats was arguably the most important part of the result.
Washington recorded four takeaways, including three interceptions. Quan Martin intercepted Quinn Ewers in the second quarter, creating a major momentum shift. Malik Spencer and Ale Kaho also recorded interceptions.
Ricky Barber added Washington’s listed sack, while the secondary consistently limited Miami’s quarterbacks after the opening drive.
Miami managed one interception through Marco Wilson and generated significant pressure of its own. Cameron Goode and Mason Reiger each recorded a sack, while David Ojabo and Max Llewellyn were credited with half a sack apiece.
What the Game Revealed About Both Teams
Preseason results do not determine regular-season success, but individual performances can provide useful clues.
For Washington, the strongest positives included:
- A productive young rushing duo.
- Four defensive takeaways.
- Strong depth in the secondary.
- Contributions from several young receivers.
- A defense that improved after Miami’s opening possession.
For Miami, the most encouraging signs included Achane’s early rushing impact and Malik Willis’ efficient passing. The major concern was the dramatic drop in offensive efficiency among the backup quarterbacks.
Marcus Mariota’s Injury Adds Another Storyline
Marcus Mariota’s early departure was one of the notable developments surrounding Washington. He completed his limited work without an interception and finished with 22 passing yards, but his injury prevented him from playing a larger role in the preseason opener.
His status will therefore be important as Washington continues its preseason evaluation. The team can use the next games to assess its quarterback depth and determine how the rotation develops behind its primary options.
Final Assessment of the Match Player Stats
The 20-7 score does not fully explain how the game unfolded. Miami showed early offensive life, but Washington gradually seized control through rushing production, defensive pressure and turnovers.
Kaytron Allen’s 85 rushing yards, Robert Henry Jr.’s 75 yards and the Commanders’ four takeaways were among the most significant statistical highlights. On Miami’s side, De’Von Achane’s 39 rushing yards and touchdown represented the clearest offensive bright spot.
Ultimately, the Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats point to a preseason game defined by depth evaluation. Washington’s young running backs and reserve defenders made the biggest impact, while Miami’s quarterback depth struggled to sustain the momentum created during the opening drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Commanders and Dolphins?
The Washington Commanders defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-7 in their 2026 preseason opener.
Who led Washington in rushing?
Kaytron Allen led Washington with 85 rushing yards on 23 carries and scored one touchdown.
How many rushing yards did Robert Henry Jr. have?
Robert Henry Jr. rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown.
Who led Miami in rushing?
De’Von Achane led Miami with 39 rushing yards on seven carries and scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown.
How many turnovers did Washington force?
Washington recorded four takeaways, including three interceptions.
Who recorded interceptions for Washington?
Quan Martin, Malik Spencer and Ale Kaho each recorded an interception.
What happened to Marcus Mariota?
Mariota left the preseason opener early because of an injury after contributing 22 passing yards.
Conclusion
The Washington Commanders opened the 2026 preseason with a 20-7 win that highlighted their young running backs and defensive depth. Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. supplied 160 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Washington’s defense produced four takeaways and shut Miami out after the first quarter.
The Miami Dolphins showed early promise through De’Von Achane and Malik Willis, but their offensive production declined sharply as the quarterback rotation progressed. For both teams, the next preseason games will provide additional opportunities to evaluate depth, young players and roster competition.
