The Rams defense played great. That’s the only positive takeaway from the 28-17 defeat handed by the Miami Dolphins.
Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, and the defensive unit held rookie Tua Tagovailoa in check for his first career NFL start. Miami accumulated a measly 90 passing yards and 55 rushing yards.
Turnovers defeated the Rams in this contest. The Dolphins forced four Jared Goff turnovers in the first half making halting any type of momentum and stride Los Angeles attempted to hit throughout the game.
“Not even close to good enough,” said Goff speaking to the media postgame. “I will be better.”
Miami’s defense brought pressure from different angles all afternoon. Rams quarterback Jared Goff constantly was trying to make something out of nothing each time he dropped back in the pocket.
“I’ve never seen that before,” said Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers on the constant pressure brought each play by Miami’s defense.
With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Dolphins’ defensive lineman Christian Wilkins made an athletic grab intercepting Goff for the first rams turnover over the game.
Goff and the Rams offense sat at the Miami 9-yard line in prime position to score. A blindside hit on Goff jarred the ball free and Miami defensive line Andrew Van Grikel scooped and scored the fumble 78 yards for a touchdown. The second turnover for the day for Goff at the ten-minute mark in the second quarter.
Dolphins safety Eric Rowe intercepted Goff on a pass intended for Gerald Everett just under the five-minute mark in the second quarter for Goffs’ third turnover of the game.
Once again the painfully hard to watch mistakes continued the next offensive possession as Goff was sacked by Shaq Lawson fumbling the ball for his fourth turnover of the half.
“I need to do better as a coach and communicate the plan better to put our players in a better position,” said Rams Head coach Sean McVay.
In the midst of offensive chaos, Robert Woods had a solid offensive performance. Woods hauled in seven catches for 85 receiving yards and a touchdown along with nine rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
The Rams will hit the reset button heading into a much needed bye week with a 5-3 record. Coming out of the bye week Los Angeles will face the Seahawks at home in an attempt to gain control of the division.