LOS ANGELES _ There's definitely something different about this Miami Dolphins team.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, while being protected by an offensive line that was missing three starters, drove the Dolphins to a pair of touchdowns on their final two possessions of the game to lift Miami to a rousing 14-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The Dolphins (6-5) extended their winning streak to five games, their longest since 2008, with what might have been the best comeback of Tannehill's career.
Tannehill hit wide receiver DeVante Parker on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds remaining for the game winner. Tannehill deftly drove the Dolphins 75 yards in seven plays using 1:55.
The Dolphins drove 77 yard in eight plays using 2:38 to cut their deficit to 10-7 with 4:02 left in the game. Tannehill hit wide receiver Jarvis Landry on a short pass for the payoff.
Landry, known for his feisty attitude, kept his legs moving, then center Anthony Steen gave him an initial shove, followed by a mighty push from right tackle Ja'Wuan James that eventually got Landry into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown reception.
Tannehill ended 24 of 34 passing for 172 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He had an 89.3 passer rating and was sacked four times.
Running back Jay Ajayi ended with 77 yards on 16 carries.
But this victory belonged to everyone _ offense, defense and perhaps even special teams because of a late missed field goal attempt by the Rams.
And the offensive line gets special recognition.
Just when it appeared everything was going well for the Dolphins the injury bug invaded the offensive line during the week continued ravaging the unit Sunday when rookie left tackle Laremy Tunsil became the third starter to be sidelined.
Tunsil, the first-round pick who shifted from left guard to left tackle as a substitute for Branden Albert (wrist), left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and didn't return.
With Albert, Tunsil and center Mike Pouncey (hip) all sidelined the Dolphins' offense was under-manned and their struggle showed in the second half. The Dolphins were forced to employ the never-used combination of left tackle Sam Young, left guard Kraig Urbik and center Anthony Steen.
The Rams entered confidently after taking a 7-0 halftime lead.
The Rams (4-6) got on the board again and took a 10-0 lead in the third quarter when they drove 49 yards and got a 46-yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein with 1:39 left in the period.
The Rams missed out on what could have been the finishing blow on a 48-yard field goal attempt by Zuerlein with 6:40 left.
The Rams were under the guidance of rookie quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick of the draft his season debut. Goff (17 of 30 passing, 134 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, one sack) skillfully ran the offense and he wisely let the defense do most of the work.
Los Angeles, which considers its defensive line as its best asset, recorded four sacks and an interception in the second half as the defensive linemen started to limit the run. The Rams defense also dropped a potential interception.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins their offense couldn't manage much. They totaled 240 yards.
The Rams held Ajayi in check save for a 36-yard run.
Rams running back Todd Gurley, who entered the game with 515 yards rushing and a 3.1 yards per carry average, was effective early, but not late. He ended with 75 yards on 20 carries.
The Dolphins didn't do much right in the first half and as a result they trailed the Rams, 7-0, at halftime. It marked the first time all season the Dolphins have been scoreless in the first half. Their previous longest first-half scoring drought came at New England when they got a field goal on the final play of the first half. Their longest first-half scoring drought during the four-game winning streak came last week at San Diego when they didn't score until the 2:50 mark of the first half.
The Dolphins host San Francisco next week at Hard Rock Stadium.
