For most of the game, the Los Angeles Rams gave the fans in the Coliseum something to cheer about. Head coach Jeff Fisher had decided to start rookie quarterback Jared Goff against the Miami Dolphins.
“I feel like he did a pretty good job as far as what we were bringing at him, trying to pressure him a little bit, give him some different looks,” said Dolphins head coach, Adam Gase.
The Rams persevered through the rain to get a 24-yard rushing touchdown by running back Todd Gurley and a successful field goal kick by Greg Zuerlein. The Rams defense shut out Miami until four minutes were left in regulation.
The home game skid was almost a memory until the Dolphins earned two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter in a 14-10 loss for the Rams. Fisher called the game “one of the most disappointing losses” he has experienced.
“We got a lot of things to improve on,” he said. “When your defense holds someone scoreless for three and a half quarters and a good offense and all of a sudden, you give up two touchdown drives with penalties, it’s not good.”
Goff competed 17 out of 31 passes for 134 yards, wide receiver Kenny Britt had five catches for 43 yards, Gurley rushed 20 times for 76 yards. Linebacker Alec Ogletree had eight tackles and three assisted tackles. Defensive Tackle Dominique Easley earned two sacks.
Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 24 of 34 passes for 172 yards, running back Jay Ajayi ran 77 yards after 16 carries. Linebacker Kiko Alonso made six tackles and two assisted tackles.
The Rams also suffered from several penalties and had a few skirmishes with the Dolphins throughout the game.
“We gave them free yards,” said Rams safety T.J. McDonald. “I think they had 27 yards passing before six or seven minutes left to go.”
Linebacker Josh Forrest suffered a knee injury during the game and was put on injured reserve on Monday. It is probable that he will miss the next four-to-six weeks of gameplay.
Los Angeles made their only touchdown in their second possession. While the Rams defense kept Miami in their territory for most of the second quarter, the Dolphins kept the Rams on their side of the field.
Early in the third quarter, tight end Lance Kendricks fumbled; possession was given to the Dolphins. In the next play, Tannehill threw a touchdown-worthy pass intended for wide receiver DeVante Parker. However, safety Maurice Alexander intercepted the ball as it flew into the endzone.
Zuerlein kicked a 46-yard field goal with 1:43 seconds left in the third period and Los Angeles had 10 points. He would attempt another field goal in the fourth quarter, but it was no good.
A penalty called on Ogletree pushed the Dolphins up 15 yards and into Rams territory. Two passes to Parker pushed Miami to the Rams’ 11 yard-line.
Tannehill sent a short pass to wide receiver Jarvis Landry who was pushed back by defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, Ogletree, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The Miami offense responded quickly, pushing Landry against the defenders into the endzone, the Dolphins were within three points of the Rams.
Miami scored their next touchdown in their next possession with only 40 seconds left in regulation.
“We just need to stay out of our own way and just need to do what we do correctly,” Goff said. “We just need to finish well.”
