The Miami Dolphins are heading to the nation’s capital this weekend to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
This will be Miami’s first trip to FedEx Field since 2015, as a victory on Sunday will move their record to 9-3 this season, something the Dolphins haven’t accomplished since 2001.
Miami leads the all-time series 8-5 in the regular season and each franchise beat the other in the Super Bowl.
Here are some more news and notes heading into the matchup with the Commanders:
What else a win could do
- A victory would assure Miami of a winning record for the fourth consecutive season.
- Second-year head coach Mike McDaniel would become the third coach in Dolphins history to have a winning record in his first two seasons, joining Don Shula and Dave Wannstedt.
- The last time the Dolphins put together four straight winning seasons was a seven-year run from 1997-2003.
Dolphins Offense continues to roll
- The Dolphins have outscored their opponents 339-251 this season. That’s an 88-point differential, which is fifth in the NFL entering Week 13.
- Miami has gained 4,735 yards and allowed 3,357 yards in 11 games this season. The 1,378-yard margin is the best in the NFL.
- Their 4,735 yards gained in 11 games is 15th in NFL history since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. They’ve also totaled 339 points. Both marks are second-best in franchise history through 11 games (1984 was No. 1).
- Miami’s single-game record for receptions against Washington is 10 set by fullback legend Rob Konrad in January of 2000.
- The Dolphins are first in the NFL in total offense, first in passing, second in rushing, second in scoring, third in sacks allowed and 12th in third-down offense.
Vic Fangio's defense entering elite status
- Since Week 5, the Dolphins’ defense has led the NFL in total defense (265.6 yards) and yards per play (4.4) and is tied for first in offensive points allowed (15.0).
- Miami had seven sacks against the New York Jets last week which marked the second game the Dolphins have had at least seven sacks this season. They also had seven sacks against the New York Giants in Week 5. That’s the first time since 1998 that a Dolphins defense has had multiple games of at least seven sacks in the same season.
- With six games remaining, Miami has allowed less than 110 rushing yards in each of their past 10 contests, which is tied for the longest such streak in franchise history.
- Bradley Chubb has a quarterback hit in nine of Miami’s 11 games this season. He has five sacks since Week 6 and a total of six this season.
- Xavien Howard’s 29 career interceptions are tied for fourth in Dolphins history, and his 90 career passes defensed are the most in team history since passes defensed began being tracked in 1991. If you’re curious, Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain each had 77 as Dolphins.
- Fangio’s unit is seventh in total defense, 11th in passing, sixth in rushing and third in sacks.
- Miami hasn’t finished in the top 10 in offense and defense since 1992 – a season, in which, they went to the AFC Championship game.
