Dolphins Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Rams
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Miami Dolphins' 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10 could be the turning point they need to salvage a 2-6 start to the season.
For the second consecutive year, the Dolphins emerged victorious at SoFi Stadium, snapping a three-game losing streak — two of those losses coming on last-second field goals. More importantly, the win kept Miami's slim playoff hopes intact, as they now sit just 1.5 games behind the Denver Broncos for the AFC's seventh seed.
With the victory, Miami has a chance to continue their push toward the postseason. Only three teams in NFL history have rebounded from a 2-6 start to make the playoffs, but the Dolphins will face winnable games in the coming weeks. Home contests against the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots offer the possibility of a 5-6 record before Miami travels to Green Bay to face the Packers on Thanksgiving.
Heading into Week 10, the Dolphins' playoff odds stood at just 8.1%, according to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI). However, with the 10th-easiest remaining schedule in the league, they still have a shot at one of the AFC's three wild-card spots, though their hopes of winning the AFC East have all but vanished.
Miami Dolphins (3-6)
QB Breakdown: Tua Tagovailoa faced a rocky second quarter, throwing an interception and losing a fumble on consecutive drives. Despite the setbacks, he finished with 207 yards and a touchdown, converting five third-down attempts and leading the offense without ever trailing in the game. Head coach Mike McDaniel noted that Tagovailoa is still learning to avoid trying to do too much, something he continues to work on in his fifth season.
**Game in Two Words:** Constant pressure.
Miami's defense was relentless, putting Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford under constant duress. Stafford was pressured 13 times and sacked four times — a season-high for the Dolphins.
Promising Trend: With Jaelan Phillips out due to injury, rookie Chop Robinson has stepped up. He recorded five pressures and his second sack in as many games, showcasing his ability to fill a critical role in the Dolphins' pass rush.
Next Game: vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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Los Angeles Rams (4-5)
The Rams entered the game with playoff aspirations, but the loss to Miami dimmed their hopes of competing in the NFC West. Following wins by the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Rams' division title chances dropped to just 11.5%, according to ESPN Analytics.
Despite the return of key players like wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, as well as offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson, the Rams’ offense struggled. They were unable to score a touchdown for just the second time in Matthew Stafford's 50 career starts with Los Angeles.
Quarterback Breakdown: Stafford's struggles continued against a Miami defense ranked 26th in pass defense DVOA. He completed 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards, but was picked off and failed to throw a touchdown. This marks the sixth consecutive game in which Stafford has thrown an interception, tying his longest streak ever.
Most Surprising Performance: The offensive line. Despite returning key players from injury, the Rams' offensive line struggled to protect Stafford. Miami's defense, which had the second-fewest sacks in the league entering the game, sacked Stafford four times — their highest total of the season.
Promising Trend: Rookie pass rusher Jared Verse continues to impress. He notched a sack for the third straight game and added two tackles for a loss. With 11 tackles for loss through his first nine games, Verse is tied for the second-most in that span since the stat became official in 1999, alongside stars like Von Miller and Micah Parsons.
Next Game: at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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