On “Monday Night Football,” the Miami Dolphins defeated Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 23–15 to snap their three-game losing run and maintain their postseason aspirations.
Throughout the evening, the Rams’ offense struggled. L.A. failed to score any touchdowns, went 0 for 3 in the red zone, and only converted 3 of 12 third downs. Puka Nacua was his highest receiver with nine receptions for 98 yards, while Stafford, who is at 12-21 in primetime games, completed 32 of 46 throws for 293 yards with one interception.
On Monday night, Tua Tagovailoa was not very good; he completed 20 of 28 passes for 207 yards, one score, one interception, and one fumble. Tyreek Hill only caught three catches for 16 yards and a score, and Miami’s running backs were limited to an only 40 rushing yards. But Anthony Weaver’s defense was dominant, sacking Stafford four times and forcing two turnovers.
Let’s examine what transpired on Monday night in Los Angeles.
Why the Dolphins won
When you think of the Dolphins, you most likely see Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane running out of the backfield and Tagovailoa and Hill lighting up the field. Usually, defense isn’t the first thing that springs to mind.
Although they don’t exactly have the league’s greatest defense, the Dolphins came into Monday night ranked ninth in terms of total yards allowed per game (303.1). This defense performed admirably on Monday night, allowing only 327 total yards and zero touchdowns while forcing two turnovers. L.A. failed to score on any of their three red zone attempts and did not convert a third down until the second half.
The main reason Miami defeated the Rams was probably the constant pressure from their defensive front. Stafford was sacked four times by the defense before he could pass the ball to one of Los Angeles’s dangerous playmakers downfield. The Dolphins returned to the win column for the first time since October 6 thanks in large part to their excellent defense on Monday night. The four sacks were Miami’s most this season, and they allowed zero touchdowns, a season-low.
Why the Rams lost
The Rams had an 8-3 record prior to Monday, when their big four players—Coco Cooper, Williams, Nacua, and Stafford—all played together. They averaged 393.6 total yards and 27.6 points per game. They only managed to score 15 points and 327 yards on offense this week, though, and lost.
Kupp had seven receptions for 80 yards and Nacua grabbed nine passes for 98 yards, but neither player had the kind of game-changing impact they usually do. Whether it was in the red zone or on third downs, the Rams’ offense felt out of sync and failed to capitalize at critical times.
Turning point
Early in the fourth quarter, Miami had to finish with an eight-point lead as the Dolphins’ defense kept the Rams from getting to the end zone. Tagovailoa made contact with former Ram Odell Beckham Jr. for a significant first down on a pivotal third-and-six.
With 2:38 remaining in the game, the drive ultimately resulted in a field goal, increasing their advantage to 11 points and severely undermining the Rams’ prospects of a comeback.
Play of the game
What about a game-changing defensive play? Jared Verse, a first-round selection and the front-runner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, demonstrated why. Verse penetrated the Dolphins’ offensive line with a stunt, prompting Tagovailoa to fumble and subsequently recover.
What’s next
Next week, the Dolphins will welcome the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders at home. The Rams will travel to New England on Sunday to play Drake Maye and the 3-7 Patriots.
