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    • Miami Dolphins win at Los Angeles Rams: 5 Instant Takeaways
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    Miami Dolphins win at Los Angeles Rams: 5 Instant Takeaways

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    The Miami Dolphins played the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football”.

    Miami needed a win to keep its hopes of an AFC playoff berth alive, and the Dolphins got it.

    They were Dolphins 23, Rams 15.

    The Dolphins, at 3-6, are just one game behind the Broncos for the seventh and final playoff position in the AFC. And they are 1.5 games behind the 5-5 Broncos overall.

    Miami has the struggling Raiders and woeful Patriots on deck at Hard Rock Stadium.

    The rams are 4-5.

    Before the game, Tyreek Hill was declared active for the Dolphins despite a wrist injury.

    Hill caught a third-quarter touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa.

    The difference in this game?

    More: Rating of the Miami Dolphins before their game against Los Angeles Rams

    Miami was efficient on third downs on offense.

    And Miami was once again dominant on third downs on defense.

    The Dolphins allowed five field goals, but zero TDs.

    Tua Tagovailoa needs to protect himself, football

    Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception to Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom in the second quarter.

    It was an unfortunate decision, but Tua almost made it much worse. Tua tried to tackle Rozeboom and ended up with his knees in the helmet.

    Tua did not leave the match for evaluation. But can Tua please stop putting herself in danger?

    He has to.

    In the next series, Tua was fired and fumbled.

    Tua wants to expand more games in the second half of this season.

    But he has to know when to throw the ball away. And he has to know when to put the ball away safely.

    In the fourth quarter, Tua had a bad sack when the team was within field goal range.

    Calais Campbell is a revelation Dolphins

    Calais Campbell has been one of the Dolphins’ best players this season.

    And that wouldn’t be that big of a deal, except that he’s, well, 38 years old.

    Campbell had a sack in the first half.

    Campbell had two batted passes in the first half. And one of them was they were intercepted by linebacker Anthony Walker.

    The combination of Campbell and Zach Sieler was dangerous.

    Sieler made his presence known early, making a tackle for a loss of 10 yards after a Rams catch.

    Miami can only hope it’s still alive when Bradley Chubb returns to the field in 2024.

    Miami’s defense was outstanding again in the first half, holding the Rams to 0-for-6 on third down.

    First-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has done an excellent job this season.

    Rookie contributions by Chop Robinson, Malik Washington

    Edge rusher Chop Robinson had his second sack in as many weeks, going outside and then inside to take down Matthew Stafford.

    Chop and teammates had a party where they simulated cutting down a tree.

    Rookie receiver Malik Washington also had an 18-yard touchdown run on an end around Tua’s throw.

    Malik has excellent speed – he’s a Dolphin, go figure – and could be a major future contributor in the receiving game and as a punt returner with a high ceiling.

    With less than five minutes to play, Tua relied on Washington for a key completion.

    Strong season for Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver

    The Dolphins defense has been absolutely dominant on third downs this season.

    Thanks to first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

    The Dolphins defense has managed to create pressure without tons of blitzes.

    Thanks to Wever.

    On Monday night, the Dolphins held tight in the red zone, holding the Rams to three field goals in the first three quarters. All five of Los Angeles’ scores that night were field goals.

    Again, thanks to Weaver.

    It was difficult to predict how Miami’s defense would perform with the departure of coordinator Vic Fangio.

    This defense is better.

    When things go well, the Dolphins will use a version of the 49ers offense and a version of the Ravens defense.

    That’s a winning formula.

    Weaver is a good communicator and teacher and he is a better coordinator in his second NFL crack at the job.

    This and that

    Recipient River Cracraft is an underrated player in Miami’s offense and the main reason is his blocking. Cracraft had a key block on it Malik Washington touchdown run. …Guard Rob Jones had a tough time in the pocket and later left with a knee injury. Guard Liam Eichenberg had trouble anchoring a few reps. Eichenberg did it brilliantly in one action, drawing a marked headbutt. … Kendall Lamm started with the right tackle for Austin Jackson (knee), who will miss at least four games on injured reserve. … Safety Jevon Holland (hand/knee) returned for the Dolphins and picked up a sack. … Jaylen Waddle failed to get a third-down catch. … Quinton Bell had his first NFL sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Rams. … Cornerback Cam Smith then made a key third-down tackle Kendall Fuller left due to injury. Fuller was later ruled out due to concussion. … Opponents had made 10 of 11 field goals before the Rams finally missed a 57-yarder in the third quarter. … Jonnu Smith definitely carried a guy in the third quarter, inspiring his teammates. When was the last time Miami had a tight end who wants to run people over? … Tyreek Hillplaying with a wrist injury, caught a 1-yard touchdown from Tua. … Da’Shawn Hand forced a fumble and later was assessed a tackle for loss. … Siran Neal came into play when Kader Kohou left in the fourth quarter. But Kohou missed just one play and returned. … Jaylen Wright was the return Mike McDaniel arrived late in the fourth quarter. … Odell Beckham Jr., made the biggest catch of his Dolphins career, a third-down grab with less than five minutes to play. … Jason Sanders went 3-for-3 on field goals.

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    Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse newsletter. Support our work by subscribing today.

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