Miami Dolphins snap three-game skid with victory over the Los Angeles Rams

The Miami Dolphins snapped a three-game losing streak on Monday night with a crucial 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The Dolphins wasted no time in asserting their dominance. In less than three minutes, Miami marched 70 yards down the field, capped by an 18-yard touchdown run from rookie Malik Washington. This marked the first NFL touchdown of Washington’s career and gave the Dolphins an early 7-0 lead.

Miami’s offense kept rolling in the second half. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a short touchdown pass in the third quarter, extending the Dolphins’ lead to 17-6. This touchdown was particularly meaningful for Hill, who had gone seven games without a touchdown, marking the end of his career-long scoreless streak.

The Dolphins’ kicker, Jason Sanders, contributed to the win by converting all three of his field goal attempts, including a crucial one in the second half to maintain Miami’s advantage. The defense, led by standout performances from the front seven, put pressure on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, sacking him four times and preventing Los Angeles from finding the end zone.

“This win is a testament to the character of this team,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “We’ve come a long way through some tough losses. The resilience of this team, with all the external noise and everyone counting us out, was key.”

Despite the victory, there was a scary moment for Miami in the second quarter when Tagovailoa threw an interception and then attempted to tackle Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom. Given Tagovailoa’s history of concussions—he missed four games earlier this season after suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills—it was a worrying sight for Dolphins fans. However, the quarterback reassured reporters after the game that he didn’t feel any significant contact.

“That was pretty bad tackling form,” he joked when asked about the play. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel also took the opportunity to lighten the mood, adding that the best way to avoid such situations would be “to not throw it to the opponent.”

Miami’s season had been derailed by injuries, particularly to Tagovailoa, who missed the four games following his concussion in Buffalo. Since returning, the Dolphins had lost two close games by last-second field goals, and at 2-6 heading into Monday’s contest, their playoff hopes were looking slim. The win over the Rams, however, keeps Miami in the hunt, with a 3-6 record. The Dolphins are currently in second place in the AFC East and only 1½ games out of a wild-card spot in the conference.

On the Rams’ side, Matthew Stafford was forced to throw 46 times but had little success finding the end zone. Stafford finished the game with 293 passing yards, completing 32 of 46 passes, and throwing one interception. Despite his efforts, the Rams struggled to convert drives into touchdowns, and Stafford acknowledged the mistakes that cost them the game.

“It was just negative plays at the wrong times,” Stafford said postgame. “Whether it’s a turnover, a sack, or an inefficient play on first down, we shot ourselves in the foot too many times in critical moments. That’s the difference in the game.”

Rookie kicker Joshua Karty kept the Rams in the game with three field goals in the fourth quarter, including a 22-yard kick in the final minute that made it a one-score game. However, the Rams’ hopes of a comeback were dashed when the Dolphins recovered the ensuing onside kick, sealing the victory.

“To create a wildfire, all it takes is one spark,” said Miami defensive lineman Calais Campbell, reflecting on how the team broke their losing streak. “We just have to keep believing, keep fighting, and keep pushing forward.”

With their first win in nearly a month, the Dolphins (3-6) will now prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) next week. Meanwhile, the Rams (4-5) will travel to New England to take on the Patriots (3-7) on Sunday, November 17.

This victory was crucial for Miami as they attempt to stay in the playoff race, and with their season on the line, the Dolphins will look to build momentum and find their rhythm as the back half of the season unfolds.