Dolphins-Rams on 'Monday Night Football': What We Learned from Miami's 23-15 Win

Miami's Defense Shines

The Dolphins' defense was dominant against the Rams, holding them to just 15 points and 268 total yards. The Dolphins sacked Matthew Stafford three times and forced two turnovers.

Xavien Howard with 2 INTs

Cornerback Xavien Howard had a huge game for the Dolphins, intercepting Matthew Stafford twice. Howard's first interception came in the first quarter, and he returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. His second interception came in the third quarter, and he returned it 18 yards.

Dolphins Force Rams to Punt 6 Times

The Dolphins' defense also forced the Rams to punt six times. The Rams' offense was unable to sustain drives, and they were held to just 15 first downs.

Tua Tagovailoa Struggles

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled against the Rams, completing just 16 of 27 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. Tagovailoa was also sacked three times.

Tagovailoa's Accuracy Issues

Tagovailoa's accuracy was a major issue against the Rams. He missed several open receivers, and he also threw two interceptions. Tagovailoa's accuracy has been a problem all season, and it will need to improve if the Dolphins are going to be successful.

Tagovailoa's Mobility Helps Dolphins

Despite his accuracy issues, Tagovailoa's mobility helped the Dolphins. He ran for 23 yards and a touchdown, and he also extended several plays with his legs. Tagovailoa's mobility is a valuable asset for the Dolphins, and it will be important for him to continue to use it to his advantage.

Dolphins Running Game Struggles

The Dolphins' running game struggled against the Rams, rushing for just 61 yards on 19 carries. Kenyan Drake led the Dolphins in rushing with 33 yards on 10 carries.

Dolphins Unable to Establish Running Game

The Dolphins were unable to establish a running game against the Rams. They averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, and they were unable to get any big runs. The Dolphins will need to improve their running game if they are going to be successful.

Dolphins Passing Game Relies on Short Passes

The Dolphins' passing game relied heavily on short passes against the Rams. Tagovailoa completed several passes to running backs and tight ends, but he was unable to connect on any deep passes. The Dolphins will need to be able to stretch the field with their passing game if they are going to be successful.

Conclusion

The Dolphins' 23-15 win over the Rams was a tale of two halves. The Dolphins' defense was dominant in the first half, but the offense struggled in the second half. The Dolphins will need to improve their passing game and running game if they are going to be successful.