Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Victory Over Rams

Title: Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Victory Over Rams

Subtitle: Dolphins snap three-game losing streak and boost playoff chances with 23-15 win vs. Rams

Meta Description: Tua Tagovailoa leads the Miami Dolphins to a crucial 23-15 win over the Los Angeles Rams, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The win puts the Dolphins back in the race for a wild-card spot in the AFC.

Dolphins Snap Losing Streak, Stay in Playoff Race with 23-15 Win Over Rams

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Miami Dolphins (3-6) have kept their playoff dreams alive after a crucial 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams (4-5) in Week 10. The Dolphins, who had suffered three consecutive losses, bounced back in a big way at SoFi Stadium, securing their second straight win in Los Angeles after defeating the Rams here last season.

Dolphins Overcome Early Mistakes to Secure Victory

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played through a challenging second quarter, where he threw an interception and lost a fumble on back-to-back drives. However, Tagovailoa regained his composure to finish with 207 yards, one touchdown, and five crucial third-down conversions. Despite taking a couple of untimely sacks, Tagovailoa showed resilience and helped lead the Dolphins to their first win in a month.

The victory puts Miami 1½ games behind the Denver Broncos for the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. With winnable home games against the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots in the next two weeks, Miami could be back at .500 by the time they travel to Green Bay for a Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers. Only three NFL teams in history have made the playoffs after a 2-6 start, but the Dolphins now find themselves in a position to push for a wild-card spot.

Defensive Dominance: Dolphins Make Life Difficult for Matthew Stafford

On the defensive side, Miami’s defense dominated, consistently putting pressure on Matthew Stafford throughout the game. The Dolphins sacked Stafford four times, a season-high for the team, and pressured him 13 times in total. Stafford finished with 293 yards on 32-of-46 passing, but Miami’s defensive line, led by standout Chop Robinson, wreaked havoc on the Rams' offense. Robinson, continuing his strong performance in the absence of injured star Jaelan Phillips, recorded five quarterback pressures and his second sack in as many games.

Rams' Struggles Continue Despite Returning Key Players

For the Rams, the loss marked a setback in their playoff aspirations. Despite the return of key players including wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson, Los Angeles' offense struggled to find its rhythm. The Rams, who had been averaging solid performances in recent weeks, were unable to score a touchdown for just the second time in Stafford's 50 career starts for the Rams.

Stafford's struggles were compounded by poor third-down efficiency. The Rams converted just 3-of-12 third-down attempts (25%), a significant drop from their 36% conversion rate entering the game. To make matters worse, the Rams' offensive line, despite the return of Avila and Jackson, allowed Stafford to be sacked four times, a sharp contrast to the Rams' previous three games where Stafford was only sacked once.

Promising Trends for Both Teams

For the Dolphins, Chop Robinson’s emergence as a key defensive force continues to be a positive trend. He now leads the team in quarterback pressures since Week 5 and has added consistent pressure to opposing quarterbacks, helping the defense remain competitive.

On the Rams’ side, the performance of first-round draft pick Jared Verse remains a bright spot. Verse recorded a sack for the third consecutive game and continues to impress in his rookie season. His 11 tackles for loss through nine career games are tied for the second-most in NFL history among rookie linebackers since the stat became official in 1999.

Looking Ahead: Dolphins vs. Raiders Next Week

With their playoff hopes still very much alive, the Dolphins will look to build on their momentum in Week 11 when they face the Las Vegas Raiders at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.