The Los Angeles Rams were unable to build upon their impressive Week 7 performance and fell flat against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8.
It was an ugly game for Jared Goff as the quarterback was under duress all game, committing two interceptions and losing a pair of fumbles. One of those fumbles went for a defensive score, while the special teams unit allowed a punt return for a touchdown to leave the Rams in an early 28-10 hole.
The four turnovers proved to be too much to come back from despite Los Angeles racking up 471 total yards of offense compared to only 145 for Miami. Tua Tagovailoa made his first career NFL start and earned a win without having to do much, throwing for 93 yards and one touchdown on only 22 passing attempts.
After the game, Sean McVay was critical of the team’s execution as well as his in-game adjustments, via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
Sean McVay says after this game he needs to look inward. “Our execution has to be better. I have to coach better and I have to put our players in better positions and that's the bottom line.”
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) November 1, 2020
McVay was clearly frustrated with how the game unfolded and seemingly had no answer for Dolphins head coach Brian Flores’ defensive scheme. Goff faced pressure on nearly every drop back, leading to some ugly throws that could have added to his interception total.
The defense was the lone bright spot as they were able to force a strip-sack fumble on Tagovailoa and another fumble on running back Myles Gaskin. However, the offense’s inability to keep up on the scoreboard made their effort all for naught.
Jalen Ramsey was unable to suit up for the Rams due to an illness, while Darrel Henderson was forced to leave the game due to a thigh injury. Ramsey’s absence in particular hurt as the team lacked their usual energy, something the defensive back has ample amounts of whenever he is on the field.
This is not the result L.A. wanted heading into their Week 9 bye, but it is too early to panic. However, they will need to come better prepared in Week 10 when they take on the Seattle Seahawks in a pivotal NFC West matchup.
