LOS ANGELES — In a much-needed victory, the Miami Dolphins ended their losing streak with a 23-15 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. The pivotal moment came in the third quarter when Tyreek Hill snagged a short touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa, helping the Dolphins break free from a three-game slump. This win was crucial for Miami (3-6), which had suffered three consecutive losses by a mere 10 points since their last victory on October 6, and had seen their early Super Bowl ambitions fade quickly.
The Dolphins showcased a determined defensive effort at SoFi Stadium, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Rams to merely 327 total yards without conceding a touchdown. Meanwhile, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 293 yards and rookie Josh Karty contributed five field goals, but the Rams (4-5) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end amid noticeable offensive struggles. This marked a rare occasion for coach Sean McVay’s team, as they failed to score a touchdown for only the eighth time in his coaching tenure and were unable to secure a touchdown on offense for just the second time in the last four years with Stafford on the field.
Tagovailoa, although limited to 207 passing yards, made significant completions, especially on third downs, converting six crucial opportunities. He excelled on those plays, completing 9 of 12 passes for 137 yards. Despite battling through a wrist injury, Hill recorded three receptions, while Jason Sanders connected on three field goals throughout the contest.
The Rams, who had collectively scored 76 points in their previous three victories, experienced an unexpected downturn, as this was the first time they failed to find the end zone since November 5, 2023, during a game against Green Bay when Stafford was injured. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp led Los Angeles receivers, with Nacua making nine catches for 98 yards and Kupp tallying seven receptions for 80 yards.
Miami quickly established dominance, scoring within the first three minutes. After Tagovailoa linked up with Jaylen Waddle for a substantial 36-yard gain on a critical third down, rookie Malik Washington, a sixth-round draft pick from Virginia, rushed 18 yards for his first NFL touchdown on just his second carry. Conversely, the Rams struggled offensively, managing only 27 yards in their first five possessions. Stafford’s rough night continued when he threw an interception late in the first quarter, which Anthony Walker Jr. snatched after a deflected pass.
Tagovailoa did throw an interception in the second quarter—the first since September 12—but the Rams could not capitalize on it. Kyren Williams’ subsequent fumble allowed the Rams to walk away with just a field goal after a promising drive. As the game progressed, Miami extended its lead with Hill’s 1-yard touchdown following a successful drive, putting them ahead 17-6 after Karty had missed a 57-yard attempt.
In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles managed a drive to the Miami 4-yard line but opted for yet another field goal to narrow the gap to a single score with only 6:31 remaining. Miami’s Odell Beckham Jr. played a pivotal role with a crucial first-down catch, setting the stage for Sanders to kick a 50-yard field goal, pushing the Dolphins’ lead to 23-12 with just under three minutes left.
The Dolphins’ win was a significant relief not only for the team but also for the state of Florida, which avoided what would have been a 0-12 weekend across all NFL and college teams. This victory ensured that the Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars did not collectively record an 0-3 week for the third consecutive time, an unprecedented scenario for the state since it gained a third NFL team in 1995.
In terms of injuries, the Dolphins faced some setbacks, as cornerback Kendall Fuller exited early in the second half due to a concussion, and right tackle Austin Jackson was placed on injured reserve hours before kickoff. On the Rams’ side, right tackle Joe Noteboom made his first appearance since the season opener but struggled with Miami rookie Chop Robinson due to Rob Havenstein’s absence with an ankle injury.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins will face the Las Vegas Raiders at home this Sunday, while the Rams will travel to take on the New England Patriots.