Los Angeles Rams (4-5) – Miami Dolphins (3-6): 15-23
The Dolphins were able to tighten the game in important moments, whether on defense or offense, to beat the Rams on Monday night.
Did they concede a lot more yards than they gained? Yes, but they prevented the Rams from scoring a single touchdown. Meanwhile, they converted some important third down attempts and scored on all of their second half possessions.
Tua Tagovailoa (20/28, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) was sometimes in difficulty. He lost two balls. But he was there to find Tyreek Hill (3 rec, 16 yards, 1 TD) for the touchdown which put his team away in the third quarter (17-6). And then the defense held up the result.
A festival of awkwardness
If Miami scored on its first possession thanks to rookie Malik Washington (1 race, 18 yards, 1 TD), the rest quickly became complicated. Six punts, two interceptions and two fumbles combined for the first half. A rather terrible festival of awkwardness. In the middle of this mush, the two teams score a field goal.
At the break, the score was 10-3 in favor of Miami.
Dolphins control Rams
Returning from the locker room, Los Angeles continues to stall on opposing territory. They miss a field goal. This is where Tagovailoa finds Jonnu Smith (3 rec, 45 yards) for 10 yards, then 33 lengths. And it's Tyreek Hill who finds the end zone on a reception from a short yard (17-6).
Despite Puka Nacua (9 rec, 98 yards) and Cooper Kupp (7 rec, 80 yards), the Rams cannot come back. Matthew Stafford (32/46, 293 yards, 1 int) takes sacks on third attempts. They still settle for field goals. And Miami also responds with the foot every time. The score therefore changes little: 17-9, 20-9, 20-12, 23-12, 23-15…
Once the onside kick was covered, the Rams ran out of time. And anyway, they didn't seem to have the energy or creativity.
The playoffs seem far away for these two teams.
