Tua Tagovailoa led a near-perfect opening drive to jump on the LA Rams early, then hit Tyreek Hill with a one-yard TD pass in the third quarter, as the Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak with an impressive 23-15 victory on Monday Night Football.
The Miami offense scored on every second-half possession, the defense forced two turnovers and held the LA Rams without a touchdown, and all of a sudden the Dolphins look like the team we thought they’d be when the season started.
Rookie Malik Washington ran for his 1st career TD to put Miami on the board on the opening drive of the game.
The ‘Phins (3-6) were on the verge of ruining their season after dropping three games by a combined 10 points since their last win, losing six of seven games since opening day, and missing Tua for four games.
Tua passed for 207 yards, converted six third downs, most of them at key moments. His play was inspiring at times, as he went 20-28 overall, 4-4 on the opening drive, and 9-12 on third down.
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.
Hil while playing through a wrist injury, and Jason Sanders kicked three field goals.
Mathew Stafford passed for 293 yards and rookie Joshua Karty kicked five field goals for the Rams (4-5), who had won 3 games in a row.
Puka Nacua had nine catches for 98 yards, and Cooper Kupp had seven for 80 yards.
The Dolphins D held the Rams offense to -2 yards on 6 plays on their first two drives, and 27 yards on its first five drives. Anthony Walker Jr picked off Stafford off a tipped ball by Calais Campbell, who continues his outstanding play.
After Tua was picked off, the Walker Jr forced a Rams fumble- recovered by Kendall fuller- on the next play.
Karty missed a 57-yard field goal after a false start wiped out the 52-yarder he had just made, and Miami scored on Hill’s first TD since his 89-yarder on opening day. Tua hit Tight End Jonnu Smith for a big gain to the 1-yard line to set up the TD.
Los Angeles drove to the Miami 4 in the fourth quarter, but McVay settled for a fourth field goal that made it 20-12 with six and a half minutes left.
OBJ made a huge 1st down catch for the Dolphins as they drove for Sanders' 50-yard field goal with 2:38 left that made it 20-15.
Fuller got hurt on the fourth play of the second half and went into the concussion protocol. RT Austin Jackson (knee) went on injured reserve hours before kickoff. He shouldn't be out for the season, HC Mike McDaniel said.
The Dolphins play the Las Vegas Raiders at home on Sunday, and the New England Patriots after that. They have a legit chance to be a game under .500 in two weeks.
——- ‘LIVE’ Instant Reaction from Jim GRIES Grieshaber ——-
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