Miami scored on their opening drive and maintained the lead throughout the entire contest to secure the 23-15 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, improving their record to 3-6 on the season.
We go Inside the Numbers, presented by BDO, to take a look at the most notable team stats, individual metrics, milestones and more from Miami's Week 10 win.
Defense Makes Big Plays
Miami held Los Angeles to five field goals, with the Rams unable to turn any of their three red zone possessions into touchdowns. It is the first time the Dolphins have held their opponent without a touchdown since Week 15 of the 2023 season in a 30-0 shutout over the N.Y. Jets.
The Dolphins also forced two turnovers, an interception by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in the first quarter and a forced fumble by defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand that was recovered by Kendall Fuller in the second quarter. It marked the second time this season the team has created multiple takeaways in a game.
The Dolphins defense continued their strong performance on third down, limiting the Rams to just three conversions on their 12 attempts. Miami has held their opponents to a third down conversion rate of 25.0% or less in three of the team's nine games this season, tied for the third-most games in the NFL. For the year, Miami's defense has allowed opposing teams to convert just 32.0% of their third downs, good for the third-best mark in the league.
Miami limited Los Angeles to 70 rushing yards and an average of 3.9 yards per carry. The 70 rushing yards is the lowest mark the Dolphins have allowed in a game this season and lowest since allowing 23 to the Jets in Week 15 last season.
Getting After the Quarterback
Miami recorded a season-high four sacks against the Rams, the first time the team has tallied at least four in a game since Week 16 of the 2023 season against Dallas.
Linebacker Chop Robinson notched the second sack of his career and second in as many weeks, bringing down Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for a loss of 10 in the first quarter to force the Rams to punt. Robinson is one of three rookies this season to record sacks in at least two consecutive games, joining Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse and Arizona linebacker Xavier Thomas. Robinson became the first Dolphins rookie to record sacks in back-to-back games since linebacker Jaelan Phillips came away with at least one sack in three straight games in 2021.
Defensive tackle Calais Campbell registered his third sack of the season, while adding a tackle for loss and two passes defensed, including a deflection that lead to Walker's interception. This marked Campbell's fifth time recording at least one sack, a tackle for loss and two pass deflections in his career and first since Week 8 of the 2013 season.
Linebacker Quinton Bell notched the first sack of his career when he came around the edge to knock the ball loose from Stafford, adding his first career forced fumble on the final drive of the first half. Safety Jevón Holland sacked Stafford for a loss of 12 yards in the third quarter, marking the fifth sack of his career. Since entering the league in 2021, Holland is in the top 10 in sacks among safeties across the NFL.
Efficient Tagovailoa Leads Productive Offense
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went 20-for-28 (71.4 pct.) on the night for 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Tagovailoa connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a one-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, marking his ninth consecutive game with at least one passing touchdown, the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL. Tagovailoa has a 72.4 completion percentage, the highest in the league this season.
Tagovailoa completed passes to eight different players on the night, tied for the second-most in a game for the team this season. His three completions of at least 25 yards tied for the most he's had in a game this year (Jacksonville, 9/8/24).
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle led the team with 57 receiving yards on three receptions. Hill's second touchdown reception of the season marked the seventh touchdown in SoFi Stadium of his career, giving him the lead for touchdowns scored as a visiting player in SoFi Stadium history. He totaled three receptions for 16 yards (5.3 avg.) and the touchdown, while adding two carries for 11 yards (5.5 avg.) on the ground.
Running back De'Von Achane continued to flash his versatility, carrying the ball 12 times for 37 yards (3.1 avg.) while hauling in five receptions for 15 yards (3.0 avg.). Achane's 42 receptions on the season are second in the league among running backs, trailing New Orleans' Alvin Kamara with 51 catches. His 317 receiving yards are in the top five among NFL running backs, ranking fourth. He became the first running back in franchise history to rush for 1,250 yards (1,257) and record 500 receiving yards (514) in their first 20 career games.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Washington scored his first career touchdown with an 18-yard rush on the opening drive of the game. The rushing touchdown was Washington's lone carry on the night, but he added a 17-yard reception that set up a Jason Sanders field goal to give the Dolphins an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Sanders Climbs Kicking Record Book
Miami's kicker was three-for-three on field goals and two-for-two on extra points, hitting two field goals from 50 yards and one from 37. The two field goals pushed him past Garo Yepremian to move into third place in Dolphins history for field goals made. The game marked Sanders' 21st game with three field goals and his fourth career game with two field goals made from at least 50 yards. He is the only kicker in Dolphins history to have multiple 50-yard field goals in a game and is 6-for-8 this season on field goals of 50-plus yards.
Sanders appeared in his 108th consecutive game with the Dolphins, passing Dwight Stephenson for the outright ninth-longest streak in franchise history.
Individual/Team Stats and Milestones
This was Miami's first victory on Monday Night Football since defeating New Orleans 20-3 in Week 16 of the 2021 season. The Dolphins earned their 13th win over the Rams in franchise history, improving the team's winning percentage in the series to .867, the best against any opponent. Among all series with at least 15 games played, Miami's 13-2 record and .867 winning percentage over the Rams is the second highest among any matchup in NFL history.
Running back Raheem Mostert surpassed the 100-career reception mark, catching two passes for 34 yards (17.0 avg.) to push his total to 101 in his career. He became one of three active undrafted running backs to have 100 career receptions, joining Pittsburgh's Jaylen Warren and Washington's Austin Ekeler.
Tight end Jonnu Smith made three catches for 45 yards (15.0 avg.), including a season-long 33-yard reception to set the Dolphins up on the one-yard line. This 33-yard reception was his 11th third-down reception of the season, tied with Waddle for the most by a Dolphin this season.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the team in tackles with 11, six of which were solo, and added a tackle for loss.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. had two receptions for 17 yards (8.5 avg.), including a crucial third down catch in the fourth quarter.
Several Dolphins achieved games played and started milestones. Fuller appeared in his 125th career game, defensive back Elijah Campbell appeared in his 50th career game, linebacker David Long Jr. appeared in his 75th career game and safety Jordan Poyer started his 125th game of his career.
