Monday night football was a rollercoaster today, in this article I will break down drive by drive how the game went for both squads. Let’s get into it.
The Dolphins started off with the ball. There were fireworks right away for the Dolphins. The opening drive started with a play action pass, Tua hit Jaylen Waddle over the middle for 19 yards. The Rams had the Dolphins in a 3rd and long situation, Tua made a play inside the pocket, extended, and hit a wide open Waddle for another gain. One play later the Dolphins ran an end around, where rookie Malik Washington scored the touchdown from 18 yards out. The speed of Miami was on full display, the Dolphins went up 7-0.
The Rams took over but went three and out. The play of the drive was on the defensive side for the Dolphins, where Zach Sieler blew up the screen pass to Kyren Williams and brought him down for a loss of 10. The Rams punted and Miami took over on their own 19.
The Dolphins went three and out, three incompletions in a row. The first ball was intended for Waddle, next two intended for Jonnu Smith.
The Rams took over on their 48 yard line due to an unnecessary roughness call on Siran Neal of the Dolphins. The Dolphins held their own, and rookie Chop Robinson recorded his second sack of his NFL career.
The Dolphins punted and the Rams took over. The Rams were in a big 3rd and 7, Stafford dropped back to pass and was intercepted by Anthony Walker Jr. Walker Jr dove for the ball in front of him that was tipped at the line by a Dolphins defensive lineman.
The Dolphins moved the chains a few times the following drive, but had to settle for three when Waddle dropped the ball on 3rd and 2. Jason Sanders drained the 50 yard field goal and the Dolphins went up 10-0.
The Dolphins at this point had Matthew Stafford’s head spinning, as they brought pressure on the drives 3rd and 8 and Calais Campbell got in for the sack.
However, Tua Tagovailoa gave the ball back to Los Angeles. He threw an interception to Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom. Roseboom brought the ball back to the Miami 15, but it was called back to around the 40 due to an illegal blindside block. Kyren Williams gave the ball right back with him fumbling. Kendall Fuller recovered, but the nonsense continued in this game.
Now the Rams forced a fumble, due to Jared Verse. Verse stripped the ball from Tua Tagovailoa and the Rams took over. The Rams moved the chains a few times, Cooper Kupp caught a tough ball on a nice designed fake screen. Joshua Cardy made the 34 yard field goal to get his team back within one score.
Miami was forced to punt, and it was a beauty. Jake Bailey pinned the Rams inside their 10. Now the Rams were in the two minute drill. Checkdowns and open guys in the flat due to zone coverage got LA into Miami territory. A huge sack and forced fumble by Quinton Bell of Miami helped stop some Rams momentum. Joshua Karty attempted a 55 yard field goal and nailed it to end the half 10-6.
The Rams got the ball at half and were driving, they were feeding running back Kyren Williams for multiple first downs. The Rams once again shot themselves in the foot with a hot snap from center Beaux Limmer to Matthew Stafford. The snap was fast and high for Stafford, he had to pick the ball up and take a big loss. The Rams attempted a field goal, but had a false start. They then attempted a 57 yard field goal and Joshua Karty missed. Nightmare scenario for Los Angeles.
Miami’s next drive resulted in a big touchdown for Miami. This is thanks to the former FIU Panther Jonnu Smith. Smith had a 10 yard reception for a first down. He also had a 33 yard reception on a drag route, he broke multiple tackles and showed off his speed. The Dolphins went play action on the 1 yard line and found a wide open Tyreek Hill for 6. 17-6
The Rams bounced back to get the game back within 8 points with a field goal. The drive was promising. Cooper Kupp moved the chains early on, he made a great one handed catch on pretty good defense from Cam Smith. Tyler Johnson moved the chains with a 10 yard gain. Later in the drive, Jevon Holland and Chop Robinson got in for a massive 3rd down sack. That was the story of the day for LA, they were getting confused from the Dolphins front. Joshua Karty made the 53 yard field goal to cut the Dolphins lead for 8.
Miami got those 3 points right back though, and took a good amount of time off the clock to make it a 2 score game. On a crucial 3rd down Devon Achane caught the ball out of the backfield on a Texas route to move the chains. Achanes pass catching ability this whole year has been impressive. Tua got sacked on 2nd and 10 later in the drive, but he made up for it with a nice 3rd down play finding Raheem Mostert for a gain of 25. Jason Sanders made an easy chip shot 37 yard field goal.
The Rams moved the ball with some urgency this upcoming drive, but once again couldn’t put the ball in the endzone. They used a bit of tempo and were dropping back and passing every play. They found success finding Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp over the middle. The Dolphins defense tighten up however once their backs were against the wall. They bent but didn’t break, and Karty once again made a field goal, this time from 22 yards out.
The Dolphins put the game out of reach on the next drive taking off 4 minutes of clock and putting points on the board. The drive started with the run game, but to no success. Jaylen Wright was stuffed at the line. Odell Beckham had a gain of 10 on a big 3rd down, it was a massive first down conversion. Miami was not shying away from the pass, they went downfield to Malik Washington and it was successful. They went back to the run, but ended their offensive drive with a screen to Tyreek Hill for only a gain of 2. Jason Sanders made the 50 yard field goal, and it would take a miracle at this point for the Rams to even tie the game up.
The Rams kicked a field goal on 3rd down to get the game back within one score. They needed an onside kick to keep the game alive. They were not successful, Duke Riley covered and the Dolphins won the football game 23-15.
It was a good team win for Miami, a much needed one for the team that lost 3 in a row. It was not Tua and the offense’s best game, but it was a sufficient one against a solid defense. The most important thing for them though, was that they played complimentary football. The special teams and defense were significantly improved from previous weeks.
This Miami win moves their record to 3-6, and gives them a fighting chance to get a wildcard spot should they continue to win. This loss for Los Angeles moves their record to 4-5, and makes their chances of winning the NFC West much harder. The good news for them is no one has run away with that division, but losing one at home is definitely a tough pill to swallow for them.