Game story
In Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-13, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with +0.65 total EPA, and +2.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Cameron (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.92 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-23.8% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (12:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at WAS 35 for -13 yards (94-P.Smith). FUMBLES (94-P.Smith) [94-P.Smith], RECOVERED by WAS-94-P.Smith at MIA 40. 94-P.Smith to MIA 40 for no gain (17-R.Tannehill
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Cameron · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
- 2 P. Garcon · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 3 A. Roberts · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4 R. Matthews · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 5 G. Jennings · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.40 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 6 L. Miller · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.58 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
- 7 J. Landry · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.56 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
- 8 K. Stills · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +0.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Cameron — MIA · Receiving
J. Cameron posted the highest total EPA (+4.92) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Miami Dolphins's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.70 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.32 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (12:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at WAS 35 for -13 yards (94-P.Smith). FUMBLES (94-P.Smith) [94-P.Smith], RECOVERED by WAS-94-P.Smith at MIA 40. 94-P.Smith to MIA 40 for no gain (17-R.Tannehill).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — J. Reed (K. Cousins pass)
- Miami Dolphins — R. Matthews (R. Tannehill pass)
- Miami Dolphins — J. Landry
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — K. Forbath
- Miami Dolphins — A. Franks
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 3–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the MIA 27 (Q1 52:45) — (7:45) 2-K.Forbath 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the MIA 4 (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 86-J.Reed for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q2 31:49) — 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the WAS 3 (Q2 30:32) — (:32) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 18-R.Matthews for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q2 30:27) — 3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr..
The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the WAS 4 (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) 3-A.Franks 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIA 85 (Q4 10:38) — (10:38) 5-T.Way punts 54 yards to MIA 31, Center-57-N.Sundberg. 14-J.Landry for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q4 10:22) — 3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 27:34) — (12:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at WAS 35 for -13 yards (94-P.Smith). FUMBLES (94-P.Smith) [94-P.Smith], RECOVERED by WAS-94-P.Smith at MIA 40. 94-P.Smith to MIA 40 for no gain (17-R.Tannehill
- Washington Commanders (Q4 10:38) — (10:38) 5-T.Way punts 54 yards to MIA 31, Center-57-N.Sundberg. 14-J.Landry for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 28:34) — (13:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep right to 84-J.Cameron to WAS 28 for 27 yards (34-T.Robinson).
- Washington Commanders (Q4 2:22) — (2:22) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete short middle to 86-J.Reed.
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 40:44) — (10:44) 72-J.Linkenbach reported in as eligible. 34-D.Williams left end to WAS 12 for no gain (91-R.Kerrigan).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 27:34) — (12:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at WAS 35 for -13 yards (94-P.Smith). FUMBLES (94-P.Smith) [94-P.Smith], RECOVERED by WAS-94-P.Smith at MIA 40. 94-P.Smith to MIA 40 for no gain (17-R.Tannehill
- Washington Commanders (Q4 10:38) — (10:38) 5-T.Way punts 54 yards to MIA 31, Center-57-N.Sundberg. 14-J.Landry for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 40:44) — (10:44) 72-J.Linkenbach reported in as eligible. 34-D.Williams left end to WAS 12 for no gain (91-R.Kerrigan).
- Washington Commanders (Q1 45:32) — (:32) 2-K.Forbath 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
Quarterback report card
R.Tannehill led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · +2.1% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.65 total EPA
- K.Cousins (Washington Commanders) · 37 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +4.8% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -0.98 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.091 | -0.173 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.9% | 42.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.017 | -0.027 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.328 | -0.130 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.173 | +0.091 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.3% | 57.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Miami Dolphins generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.09 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Miami Dolphins: 10 drives, -6.40 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 10 drives, -15.43 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- J. Cameron (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- K. Cousins (WAS) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 52:45 · MIA 27 · Score 0-3
(7:45) 2-K.Forbath 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 31:54 · MIA 4 · Score 0-9
(1:54) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 86-J.Reed for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 31:49 · MIA 15 · Score 0-10
2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 30:32 · WAS 3 · Score 6-10
(:32) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 18-R.Matthews for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 30:27 · WAS 15 · Score 7-10
3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 12:10 · WAS 4 · Score 10-10
(12:10) 3-A.Franks 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 10:38 · MIA 85 · Score 16-10
(10:38) 5-T.Way punts 54 yards to MIA 31, Center-57-N.Sundberg. 14-J.Landry for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 10:22 · WAS 15 · Score 17-10
3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 17-10 in Week 1, 2015 on 2015-09-13.
What was the final score of Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Miami Dolphins 17, Washington Commanders 10 (MIA 17-10 WAS) in Week 1, 2015 on 2015-09-13.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 0, Washington Commanders 3; Q2: Miami Dolphins 7, Washington Commanders 7; Q4: Miami Dolphins 10, Washington Commanders 0; Final: Miami Dolphins 17, Washington Commanders 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
Washington Commanders touchdown — J. Reed (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 31:54) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Matthews (R. Tannehill pass) (Q2 30:32) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. Landry (Q4 10:38) Washington Commanders field goal — K. Forbath (Q1 52:45, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — A. Franks (Q4 12:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), 57.9% completion, +2.1% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.65 total passing EPA. K. Cousins (Washington Commanders), 56.8% completion, +4.8% CPOE, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -0.98 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders?
J. Cameron (Miami Dolphins) led the game in total EPA with +4.92 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.32 EPA): (12:34) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked at WAS 35 for -13 yards (94-P.Smith). FUMBLES (94-P.Smith) [94-P.Smith], RECOVERED by WAS-94-P.Smith at MIA 40. 94-P.Smith to MIA 40 for no . The biggest win-probability swing was -23.8%.
Was Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Miami Dolphins won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Now 1-0 W
Washington Commanders
Now 0-1 L