The Los Angeles Rams are riding high after winning three consecutive games and now look to keep the momentum going when they host the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 10.
The Rams will be getting back some key offensive linemen as Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom are expected back for the first time since Week 1. Additionally, Jonah Jackson is expected to return for his first game since Week 2.
Jackson and Avila should be starting at left guard and center, respectively, while Noteboom is filling in for the injured Rob Havenstein at right guard. Havenstein is dealing with an ankle injury but could return for the Rams’ Week 11 matchup against the New England Patriots.
The returns of Avila, Jackson and Noteboom should help protect Matthew Stafford from interior pressure and give a boost to the Rams’ run game, which has struggled as of late.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are trending in the opposite direction after losing three consecutive games. They entered the season as Super Bowl contenders but their playoff hopes look bleak with a disappointing 2-6 record.
To make matters worse for the Dolphins, top playmaker Tyreek Hill has been dealing a wrist injury. He was listed as questionable but is expected to play. The Dolphins should also be getting back three key defensive players in defensive tackle Zach Sieler, cornerback Kader Kohou and safety Jevon Holland.
The Dolphins’ trip to SoFi Stadium marks the returns of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jalen Ramsey for the first time since leaving the Rams. Both players were key in the team’s Super Bowl LVI win two years ago.
“I love Jalen. We have a cool relationship and he knows the respect and the admiration that I have for him as a player and what he meant to this team,” head coach Sean McVay said of the team’s decision to trade Ramsey.
Rams’ keys to victory
Contain Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins have looked like a completely different team on offense since Tua Tagovailoa returned at quarterback two weeks ago, scoring points on two-thirds of their possessions with him under center.
The Rams must do their best to contain Tagovailoa, who is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league. Even if Hill is out on Monday, he will still have plenty of other playmakers to throw to such as Beckham, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane.
Can Rams stop the run?
The Rams rank near the bottom of the league in run defense, which poses some problems as the combination of Achane and Raheem Mostert has been effective for the Dolphins at running back this season.
If the Rams want to win their fourth consecutive game, they’ll have to slow down the Dolphins’ rushing attack, which they might lean on more should Hill be inactive.
