However, the defense forced a three-and-out with another sack on Tagovailoa, this time from Jonathan Jones, and the offense marched 82 yards downfield with help from a 19-yard catch from Chris Moore and a 15-yarder from Zach Ertz. Deebo Samuel's 13-yard reception got Gay in range for a 30-yard field goal, tying it up 6-6 at halftime.
The Commanders got the ball to start the third quarter and took their first lead in a game since Week 6 by moving 59 yards in just six plays. Rodriguez converted a third-and-1 with a 12-yard gain, and Samuel capped off the drive by running through multiple Dolphins defenders at the goal line for the 20-yard score to make the score 13-6.
The Dolphins responded by moving all the way to inside the Commanders' 5-yard line but couldn't punch it in. Bobby Wagner, who tied London Fletcher for the most consecutive 100-tackle seasons all-time earlier in the game, dove to deflect a pass from Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle in the end zone to force a turnover on downs.
The Commanders didn't do much with the opportunity, though, and were forced to punt the ball back to Miami six plays later. This time, the Dolphins did find the end zone with a one-yard run from Ollie Gordon to tie the score.
Now it was Washington's turn to come up empty-handed in the red zone. Jeremy McNichols moved the Commanders to the 1-yard line on a three-yard run, but both of Washington's attempts at crossing the goal line were stalled by Miami. Mariota looked for Ertz in the end zone, but the tight end slipped before he could finish his route.