LOS ANGELES – Tyreek Hill caught a brief landing cross from Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter, and the Miami Dolphins snapped their three-game shedding streak with a gritty 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night time.
Rookie receiver Malik Washington rushed for his first NFL landing on the opening possession of a much-needed turnaround sport for the beleaguered Dolphins (3-6), who had misplaced three video games by a mixed 10 factors since their final victory Oct. 6. Miami had misplaced six of seven since its opener, all however ruining a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Dolphins’ stable protection stepped up impressively at SoFi Stadium, forcing two turnovers and preserving the Rams out of the finish zone regardless of yielding 327 yards.
Matthew Stafford handed for 293 yards and rookie Joshua Karty kicked 5 area objectives for the Rams (4-5), whose three-game successful streak ended with a significant offensive regression. Los Angeles failed to rating a landing for under the eighth time in coach Sean McVay’s eight seasons, and it could not rating an offensive landing for under the second time in 4 years when Stafford was in uniform.
Tagovailoa handed for under 207 yards, however he made a sequence of huge throws whereas the Dolphins transformed six third downs, most of them at key moments. Tagovailoa was 9 of 12 for 137 yards on third downs alone.
Hill had three receptions whereas enjoying by way of a wrist damage, and Jason Sanders kicked three area objectives.
After scoring 76 factors in its three straight wins, Los Angeles failed to rating a landing for the first time since Nov. 5, 2023, at Green Bay whereas Stafford was injured.
Puka Nacua had 9 catches for 98 yards, and Cooper Kupp made seven receptions for 80 yards.
Miami wanted lower than three minutes to rating first. After Tagovailoa hit Jaylen Waddle for 36 yards on third and lengthy, Washington — a sixth-round decide from Virginia — took a pitch 18 yards for a rating on his second profession dashing try.
Los Angeles’ offense managed simply 27 yards on its first 5 drives, and Stafford threw an interception in his sixth straight sport when Anthony Walker Jr. dived to catch a tipped ball proper earlier than the first quarter ended.
Tagovailoa threw his first interception since Sept. 12 to Christian Rozeboom in the second quarter, however Kyren Williams fumbled on the Rams’ subsequent play. Rams rookie Jared Verse sacked Tagovailoa and recovered the fumble at the Miami 36 4 performs later, however the Rams might solely handle a area purpose.
After Karty missed a 57-yard area purpose try when a false begin worn out his profitable 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 4 in the fourth quarter, however McVay settled for a fourth area purpose that made it a one-score sport with 6:31 to play.
Miami’s Odell Beckham Jr. then made a key catch for a primary down in the stadium the place he badly injured his knee whereas successful the Super Bowl with the Rams three seasons in the past, and the Dolphins drove for Sanders’ 50-yard area purpose with 2:38 left.
Saving Florida
Miami’s win saved the state of Florida from what would have been an unprecedented 0-12 weekend by its NFL and school groups at the FBS and FCS ranges.
It additionally meant that the Dolphins, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville didn’t mix to go 0-3 for a 3rd consecutive week for what would have been the first time since Florida turned a three-team NFL state in 1995.
The state’s FBS groups went 0-6 this weekend, and Florida’s three FCS colleges all misplaced as properly.
Injuries
Dolphins: CB Kendall Fuller obtained damage on the fourth play of the second half and went into the concussion protocol. … RT Austin Jackson (knee) went on injured reserve hours earlier than kickoff. The Southern California product should not be out for the season, coach Mike McDaniel mentioned.
Rams: With Rob Havenstein (ankle) sidelined, RT Joe Noteboom (ankle) began in his first look since the season opener, however struggled in opposition to Miami rookie Chop Robinson.
Up subsequent
Dolphins: Host Las Vegas on Sunday.
Rams: At New England on Sunday.
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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.
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