Rejoice, Dolphins fans. This season is still alive. The Dolphins went into Los Angeles and held the Rams to zero touchdowns en route to a 23-15 win. Both teams played sloppy football, but the Dolphins made the necessary plays, especially on third down, to get the win.
It looked like we would be in for a shootout when the Dolphins drove down the field and scored a touchdown on their first drive, a clever play to rookie receiver Malik Washington. Instead, we got a field goal-heavy game with both offenses struggling to find a solid rhythm.
The Dolphins won't mind; the most important thing is the win. Next, the Dolphins get two favorable matchups with the Raiders and the Pats, both at home. It's a disappointing loss for the Rams and one they might look back on if they miss the playoffs.
Defense Stepped Up In A Big Way
The defense struggled in the two previous games but performed in this game. The Rams had scored at least one touchdown in every game this season but failed to do so here. They also went 0-3 in the red zone as the Dolphins defense held firm and forced five field goals.
Jevon Holland suiting up helped out big-time. He came up with a massive sack on third down late in the third quarter and is a leader for the defense. The Dolphins had a season-high four sacks, and rookie Chop Robinson has now recorded one in back-to-back games. Robinson is a raw prospect, but he's made strides in the past few weeks.
I mentioned before the game about how the Dolphins needed to get some takeaways. They did so in this game with one interception and one forced fumble. The interception put the Dolphins in excellent field position and set up a field goal to make it 10-0.
The defense played with great confidence and needed to against such an explosive offense. Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp ended the game with decent numbers, but a large chunk of them came in the fourth quarter when the Rams were behind and the game was more or less out of reach.
Big Plays On Third Down
The Dolphins have been great at stopping opponents on third down all season, ranking third in the NFL. This game was no different; the Rams were 3 for 12 on third down, and two conversions came on the final drive. It was especially crucial in the red zone, where the Rams made three trips but came up with no touchdowns.
On offense, Tua made some huge throws on third down. It started on the game's first drive, where he escaped and found a wide-open Jaylen Waddle on third and long. Five of the six third-down conversions were on third and six or longer. Overall, the Dolphins went 6 for 13 on third down, and it helped them gain momentum and drain the clock, as they were in the lead all game.
Is This A Turning Point?
This win takes the Dolphins from being on pace for having the third pick in next year's draft to being in the mix in the congested AFC Wild Card race. It was a strange game from the offense; they only produced 238 yards but put up 23 points.
Tyreek Hill caught his first touchdown pass since Week 1, but he's been playing with a torn ligament in his wrist that is affecting him. He finished with only three catches for 16 yards. Raheem Mostert seems to be in the doghouse after his fumble last week. He only played 15% of snaps and had zero carries, but he did come up with a 25-yard catch and run. It was undeniably a massive win, but Dolphins fans will want to see the offense perform better when facing some more formidable defenses down the stretch.
Overall, it was a defensive game, and it'll be key for the Dolphins to strike a balance if they are to get to the playoffs. These next two home games will give the Dolphins a chance to show off their firepower on offense, but they are still must-win games and should not be taken lightly. After the Raiders and Pats, they have the Packers, Texans, and 49ers in three of the next four weeks.
Bet Recap from Preview
I'll take this one on the chin; I didn't think the Dolphins could pull off a win like that against the Rams on primetime. They win and cover. They've now covered in their last two games.
Up Next: Las Vegas Raiders
The 2-7 Raiders travel to Miami next. The Raiders are coming off a bye, but the Dolphins will see this game as a huge opportunity to win in style.
Final Score: Dolphins 23, Rams 15
Souza's Three Stars
1st Star- Jordyn Brooks (11 tackles, 1 TFL, 86.5 PFF Grade)
2nd Star- Jevon Holland (3 tackles, 1 sack, 75.7 PFF Grade)
3rd Star- Calais Campbell (3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PD, 72.8 PFF Grade)
Comments