LOS ANGELES — Just as it seemed the Los Angeles Rams’ offense was beginning to find its rhythm, a disheartening setback struck during a prime-time match-up. The team, struggling to maintain consistency, suffered a disappointing 23-15 defeat against the Miami Dolphins, raising concerns about their playoff aspirations.
The Rams (4-5) have typically demonstrated a tendency to oscillate between peaks and valleys under head coach Sean McVay. Their performance against the Dolphins marked a significant drop, especially following commendable games against Minnesota and Seattle. “I have faith in these guys,” McVay expressed. “We are all in this together. We need to evaluate and find the best ways to position our players effectively while establishing a clear identity.”
Los Angeles’ recent momentum came to a halt as their offense failed to score a touchdown—a rare occurrence during Matthew Stafford’s tenure as quarterback. Key issues emerged: the offensive line struggled to protect Stafford, his throws lacked precision, Kyren Williams was unable to make significant yardage gains, and receivers could not deliver during crucial moments in the red zone.
This culminated in rookie kicker Joshua Karty attempting five field goals—though a false start by rookie Beaux Limmer negated one successful attempt, leading to another miss that left the Rams frustrated. Their struggles became evident as the team now ranks 30th in touchdown efficiency inside the red zone, only converting 46.9% of their red-zone trips. Stafford’s misconnection with an open Williams underscored both McVay’s offensive strategy challenges and Stafford’s usually impressive playmaking skills.
“It came down to negative plays at critical moments,” Stafford commented. He completed 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards but has yet to throw a touchdown in four of nine games so far this season. “Whether it was a turnover, a sack, or an inefficient first down, we hindered ourselves in that key scoring zone. That was likely what determined the outcome of the game.”
The Rams appeared poised to improve their record, facing a series of struggling opponents. However, they squandered an opportunity against the Dolphins, who had secured only one win since Week 1. Up next are road games against New England (3-7) and New Orleans (3-7), both of which are critical for maintaining any hope of postseason contention.
On a brighter note, the Rams’ younger defensive front shone amid the chaos on Monday night. Nose tackle Kobie Turner recorded six tackles along with four pressures and a sack, while rookie standout Jared Verse tallied five tackles and forced a fumble, which he also recovered while bringing down Tua Tagovailoa. Overall, the defense has shown considerable improvement over the last month.
However, the offense needs revitalization. Currently ranked 26th in the league, the Rams average a mere 94.1 rushing yards per game. This is particularly concerning given Williams’ potential as a running back and the untapped promise of rookie Blake Corum, who has only mustered 80 yards on a limited number of carries. The offensive line’s woes contribute to McVay’s growing reliance on passing plays, with the Rams now ranking among the league leaders in passing frequency.
On a positive note, linebacker Christian Rozeboom had a breakout performance against the Dolphins, making his second career interception along with two pass breakups. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Omar Speights contributed solidly at inside linebacker with eight tackles.
Conversely, tight end Colby Parkinson, signed in the offseason, has seen his role diminished as Davis Allen, a fifth-round draft choice, emerged as the primary tight end. Parkinson’s playing time dropped significantly, and while he has recorded 23 catches for 214 yards this season, a recent drop during the game exemplified his struggles.
In terms of injuries, the Rams reported no new issues following the match. Offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson returned to action but appeared to shake off some rust. Meanwhile, Joe Noteboom’s return to tackle didn’t yield positive results as he struggled to find his footing.
Demarcus Robinson notably had only one reception on five targets against Miami after previously scoring touchdowns in the last two games. Tutu Atwell also saw limited action with just one catch to his name. While Stafford heavily relies on contributors like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, diversifying his pass attempts to other receivers may help the overall offensive efficiency.
Looking ahead, the Rams are set to face a pivotal must-win game as they travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday, a crucial encounter if they hope to remain competitive in the playoff race.