If you didn’t watch the Rams-Dolphins game on Sunday and just glanced at the box score, there’s no way you’d think Miami won the game – let alone, won it by 11 points. The Rams dominated every statistical category over the Dolphins, from total yards to first downs to time of possession.
They outgained the Dolphins 471 to 145, had 31 first downs to Miami’s eight, averaged 5.1 yards per play compared to only 3.0 for the Dolphins, and converted on seven of their 17 third-down attempts. The Dolphins, on the other hand, were 3-for-12 on third down.
The one area where the Rams lost – besides the scoreboard, of course – was the turnover battle. Los Angeles gave the ball away four times and only created two turnovers, which was the difference in the game.
Incredibly, only one other team in NFL history has lost a game where they gained 450-plus yards on offense and held their opponent to less than 150 yards. That team is the 2000 Jets, who lost to the Ravens 34-20 in Week 17. The Jets had 524 yards and held the Ravens to only 142 yards, but like the Rams, they had too many turnovers (six).
It’s hard to fathom how Los Angeles lost this game, but it’s also hard to win when you give the ball away four times and allow an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown. Things went south quickly after Jared Goff fumbled the ball deep in Miami’s territory, which was scooped up and returned 78 yards for a touchdown. Less than two minutes later, Jakeem Grant brought a punt back for a touchdown to put the Dolphins up 21-7.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Los Angeles, especially given the way the defense played, but Sean McVay and his players will have plenty of time to mull it over during their Week 9 bye.
