Dolphins kick December off with convincing win over Commanders as Tua, Hill connect on two long TDs

LANDOVER, Maryland — These don’t look like the same Miami Dolphins that have historically had December woes.

Behind two long scoring connections between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his top target, Tyreek Hill, plus a defensive touchdown, the Dolphins stormed past the Washington Commanders, 45-15, Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field.

Miami has won a third straight since its bye week and is 9-3 for the first time since 2001. With the win over Washington (4-9) and the Buffalo Bills on their bye, the Dolphins are a full three games up in the AFC East with five games remaining. Miami has also secured a fourth consecutive winning season.

At the time of their win Sunday, the Dolphins moved up to No. 1 in the AFC, but wins by the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night would bump those teams over Miami. The Dolphins are assured finish the week no lower than No. 3, however, as they jumped the Baltimore Ravens, who were on bye in Week 13, by virtue of conference record.

Tagovailoa, taken out for backup Mike White with 9:47 remaining, went 18 of 24 for 280 yards with the two touchdowns to Hill, who finished with five receptions for 157 yards.

The Dolphins entered Sunday 8-3 as they began December play, similar to last season. That thought also brings back memories of their winless December and eventual five-game losing streak that took them to the brink of missing the 2022 playoffs.

Not so much in 2023, and Miami can clinch the division in two weeks with wins over the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets and a Bills loss next week at the Chiefs.

“The history has nothing to do with this team,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “I think it says a lot about where this team has grown since last year.”

The Dolphins opened the scoring Sunday with Tagovailoa finding Hill deep on the opening drive. It was a third-and-2, and the Commanders gave Miami a press look with a single high safety. Hill put a move on cornerback Kendall Fuller at the line of scrimmage and stormed past him to get open deep for the 60-yard touchdown. Safety Kam Curl could not catch up to the speedy Hill.

“It was just one of those looks that it was a favorable matchup,” said Hill, who noted fellow speedster, running back De’Von Achane had a linebacker on him and Tagovailoa could’ve gone to either playmaker for the score.

After Miami added a 49-yard field goal from Jason Sanders on its second series, the Dolphins then scored on defense late in the opening quarter.

Andrew Van Ginkel, who is playing for the injured Jaelan Phillips at left outside linebacker, intercepted a pass from Washington quarterback Sam Howell behind the line of scrimmage. With no one in front of him, he returned it 33 yards for the touchdown that gave the Dolphins a 17-0 lead before the end of the first quarter.

In the second period, the Commanders put together a long scoring drive that put them into the end zone on a Howell quarterback sneak, one of two rushing touchdowns for Commanders signal-caller who was sacked three times.

But shortly thereafter, Hill was there to haul in his second deep touchdown, a 60-yarder over the top of the Washington defense where he initially turned over his inside shoulder looking for the ball and then realized it was to his outside and made the adjustment for the catch.

Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert scored late in the first half to send Miami into halftime leading, 31-7. De’Von Achane added rushing touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler had 1 ½ sacks, splitting one with outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. Emmanuel Ogbah, also seeing an increase in snaps with Phillips out, had a first-half sack and flashed the numbers 1 and 5 with his hands to honor his injured teammate, whose jersey number is 15.

The Dolphins are back at home for four of their last five games, including their next three, starting with a Monday night game at Hard Rock Stadium, Dec. 11 against the Tennessee Titans.

This story will be updated.