The Los Angeles and Miami Dolphins met on Monday night looking for different goals. While Matthew Stafford and company were riding a post-bye three-win streak that put them at .500 after a less-than-ideal 1-4 start, Tua Tagovailoa's squad was looking to extricate itself from a 2-6 hole, most of which occurred while the quarterback was out with a concussion.
Only one of them could achieve their goal however. Who was it?
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams box score
Miami Dolphins player stats
Passing
Rushing and receiving
Defense
Kicking
Punting
Los Angeles Rams player stats
Passing
Rushing and receiving
Defense
Kicking
Punting
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams summary
The Dolphins began the game explosively, with rookie wideout Malik Washington rushing for a touchdown on their opening drive after just four plays. After that, however, both teams exchanged punts on the next four drives.
That stretch ended when Anthony Walker Jr. intercepted Matthew Stafford off a deflection by Calais Campbell right before the final minute of the quarter:
The ensuing drive extended into the second quarter, which ended in a Jason Sanders field goal. After that, both teams exchanged losses of possession - first a Rams punt, then a Christian Rozeboom interception on Tua Tagovailoa, then consecutive lost fumbles. That stretch finally ended when Joshua Karty scored a field goal, then he added another after another Dolphins punt.
The second half began with disaster, as Karty missed a 57-yarder wide right. This allowed the Dolphins to build a drive that was punctuated by a short Tyreek Hill catch at the end zone, adding to the lead. The Rams would then put a long drive of their own, which ended in a field goal early in the fourth.
The next four drives after that also ended in field goals, as the Rams found themselves being constantly frustrated in their efforts to reach the endzone. Ultimately, they could not recover the onside kick, winning the game for the Dolphins.
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