The Miami Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23-15. The Dolphins now have a 3-6 overall record and the Rams are now 4-5, with a 3-2 record at home. The only other home loss they had was a close loss to the Packers.
Injuries will be the most likely culprit if both teams miss the playoffs, with key players missing earlier in the season. However, with wide receiver Cooper Kupp and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returning from injury, SoFi Stadium was the perfect environment for a classic Monday Night Football game.
Tagovailoa engineered the first score for the Dolphins off a wide receiver Malik Washington end-around run, summoning a super-human burst of speed as he hurled himself into the end zone. Tagovailoa led the offense like he had something to prove. Perhaps he did, and his teammates backed him up.
While the Rams offense showed promise with decent performances, the difference was how quarterback Matthew Stafford and a roster of star playmakers were unable to score touchdowns. This resulted in a five-field-goal game from kicker, Joshua Karty. That is a great stat for Karty but a bad sign for the offense.
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The Rams defense continues to come up with spectacular plays. Rams linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse had one impactful Tagovailoa sack each. Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom intercepted a Tagovailoa pass over the middle, adding a 30-yard return run. Tagovailoa instinctively went to tackle Rozeboom, even leading with his head, which elicited cautious energy throughout the stadium.
The Dolphins defense forced numerous three-and-outs and did not permit a Rams touchdown by making crucial plays at key moments. Dolphins defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand forced the ball out of the clutches of Rams running back Kyren Williams. Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker intercepted a tipped Stafford pass and linebacker Chop Robinson made an athletic play to sack Stafford.
The Dolphins went up for good when tight end Jonnu Smith made a defiant catch and ran to the Rams one-yard line. Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek “Cheetah” Hill for a one-yard touchdown catch. Hill did not disappoint, entertaining the M.N.F. audience with a touchdown celebration with teammates that mimicked a W.W.E. move. According to news sources, Hill may have sustained neck injuries from the celebration.
Tagovailoa continues to make strides after his medical setbacks. He completed 20-28 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three sacks for 36 yards.
