The Los Angeles Rams had a chance on primetime television to win their fourth consecutive game, move to 5-4 on the season and come within a half-game of the Arizona Cardinals at the top of the NFC West. All they needed to do was defeat the battered Miami Dolphins at home on Monday night.
The Rams also had offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila back in the lineup, signaling the healthiest the team has been since the start of the regular season. All trends were pointing in favor of the Rams getting a win and securing their place in postseason contention.
But the offense faltered and the Rams let a major game slip away, falling 23-15 in a primetime battle.
The Rams couldn’t get much going on the ground or through the air. Matthew Stafford passed for 293 yards but had zero touchdowns and an interception. Joshua Karty accounted for all 15 points with five field goals.
Kyren Williams ran the ball 15 times for 62 yards with no touchdowns and a lost fumble. It was his worst performance since Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals when he rushed for 25 yards.
Perhaps the only offensive bright spot was that Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both looks to be full strength. Kupp posted seven catches for 80 yards and Nacua had eight for 98.
NINE & DIME.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/LZathKFbaX
— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) November 12, 2024
It was silly mistakes that continued to cost the Rams all night and if things like that don’t get corrected, it’s hard to imagine this team making any noise. Kyren Williams had a costly fumble when the offense was set up with nice field position. Then when they were driving to begin the third quarter, a ball was snapped over Stafford’s head. There also was a costly false start penalty on a field goal attempt, which resulted in a loss of three points.
These are just a few of the many self-inflicted wounds that cost the Rams offense and kept them out of the end zone.
On the bright side, the Rams defense did all they could to keep the game close. They held Tua Tagovailoa to 207 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. De’Von Achance rushed for only 37 yards and no Dolphins wide receiver surpassed three catches or 57 yards, both being Jaylen Waddle.
Tyreek Hill provided one of two offensive touchdowns in this game and that was all the difference in the fourth and final quarter.
Jared Verse had one of the few highlights of the game with a strip sack and fumble recovery.
Jared Verse is an absolute FORCE.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/sb35pJx40U
— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) November 12, 2024
Verse has really come into his own in recent weeks and seems to be the runaway favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
What’s Next for the Rams
The Rams have a chance to get back to .500 and back into the race for the NFC West with a matchup against the New England Patriots on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. PT. They will have to face rookie quarterback Drake Maye coming off of a blowout win over the Chicago Bears, but still provide a winnable opponent for L.A. If they cannot win, it would be hard to see them making a run to postseason in 2024.
