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The Miami Dolphins ended a three-game losing streak to keep their NFL Playoffs hopes alive with a gritty 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Tyreek Hill caught a short touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter, while rookie receiver Malik Washington rushed for his first NFL touchdown on the opening possession of a much-needed turnaround game for the beleaguered Dolphins (3-6), who had lost three games by a combined 10 points since their last victory on October 6.
The Dolphins’ solid defense stepped up impressively at SoFi Stadium, forcing two turnovers and keeping the Rams out of the end zone despite yielding 327 yards.
Matthew Stafford passed for 293 yards and rookie Joshua Karty kicked five field goals for the Rams (4-5), whose three-game winning streak ended with a major offensive regression. Los Angeles failed to score a touchdown for only the eighth time in coach Sean McVay’s eight seasons, and it could not score an offensive touchdown for only the second time in four years.
Tagovailoa passed for only 207 yards, but he made a series of big throws while the Dolphins converted six third downs, most of them at key moments. Tagovailoa was nine of 12 for 137 yards on third downs alone.
Hill had three receptions while playing through a wrist injury, and Jason Sanders kicked three field goals.
After scoring 76 points in its three straight wins, Los Angeles failed to score a touchdown for the first time since November 5 2023, at Green Bay while Stafford was injured.
Puka Nacua had nine catches for 98 yards, and Cooper Kupp made seven receptions for 80 yards.
Miami needed less than three minutes to score first. After Tagovailoa hit Jaylen Waddle for 36 yards on third and long, Washington – a sixth-round pick from Virginia – took a pitch 18 yards for a score on his second career rushing attempt.
Los Angeles’ offense managed just 27 yards on its first five drives, and Stafford threw an interception in his sixth straight game when Anthony Walker Jr. dived to catch a tipped ball right before the first quarter ended.
Tagovailoa threw his first interception since September 12 to Christian Rozeboom in the second quarter, but Kyren Williams fumbled on the Rams’ next play. Rams rookie Jared Verse sacked Tagovailoa and recovered the fumble at the Miami 36 four plays later, but the Rams could only manage a field goal.
After Karty missed a 57-yard field goal attempt when a false start wiped out his successful 52-yarder in the third quarter, the Dolphins drove from midfield for Hill’s 1-yard TD catch and a 17-6 lead.
Los Angeles drove to the Miami four-yard line in the fourth quarter, but McVay settled for a fourth field goal that made it a one-score game with 6:31 to play.
Miami’s Odell Beckham Jr. then made a key catch for the first down in the stadium where he badly injured his knee while winning the Super Bowl with the Rams three seasons ago, and the Dolphins drove for Sanders’ 50-yard field goal with 2:38 left.
Stats leaders
Los Angeles Rams
- Passing: Matthew Stafford, 32/46, 293 yards, 1 INT
- Rushing: Kyren Williams, 15 carries, 62 yards
- Receiving: Puka Nacua, 9 catches, 98 yards
Miami Dolphins
- Passing: Tua Tagovailoa, 20/28, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: De’Von Achane, 12 carries, 37 yards
- Receiving: Jaylen Waddle, 3 catches, 57 yards
What’s next?
The Dolphins will now aim to go back-to-back and truly revive their season when they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at 6pm.
The Rams, meanwhile, head to the New England Patriots on the same night.
Watch three matches from Week 11 live on Sky Sports NFL, with the Washington Commanders at the Philadelphia Eagles next up at 1.15am on Friday night. Also stream with NOW
