The Los Angeles Rams shutout the Miami Dolphins for three and a half quarters Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, looking as if they were set to kick off the Jared Goff era with a win.
But late in the fourth quarter, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill led his team on two touchdown drives to give the Dolphins a 14-10 win, stunning the Rams and head coach Jeff Fisher.
The loss was a big one as the Rams needed to win to keep pace with the other NFC playoff contenders, but now at 4-6 the Rams playoff hopes look very dim.
Fisher talked about the loss after the game, calling it one of the most difficult losses he’s had to endure as a head coach, via Myles Simmons of therams.com:
“Probably one of the most disappointing losses I’ve endured over the years, particularly because of all [that] went into the game, the opportunity for Jared to start here at home and all those things,” head coach Jeff Fisher said, referring to No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, who made his first start behind center on Sunday. “And the fact that we were coming off a win, and knowing that we were going to play a good football team today.
“To play three-and-a-half quarters of good football — even though we didn’t get the points — and then to let things slip away was really disappointing,” Fisher continued. “But that’s the National Football League.”
The offense got off to a good start, driving 68 yards in four plays for a touchdown in their second drive, but then became stagnant scoring just three points the rest of the game which put a lot of pressure on the Rams defense.
Fisher had a decision to make late in the fourth quarter, as up 10-0 the Rams offense faced a fourth-and-1 in Dolphins territory. Instead of going for it to try and put the game away, Fisher elected to kick a field goal that kicker Greg Zuerlein missed, leaving the door open for the Dolphins.
Fisher likely wasn’t the only one in the Rams locker room that was disappointed after the game. He will be on the hot seat the rest of the season if losses like Sunday’s continue.
