Actual Results: LOSS 17-14, 4th in NFC West (3-3)
The offense was vastly improved from last week. Against the Cardinals, the Rams could only establish their running game with little to no passing attack (apart from 3 or so throws). This week, Sam Bradford looked like his old self, throwing the ball with zip and confidence that he established earlier in the season against the Redskins. Of course, he still suffered in his pocket awareness, taking a critical sack late in the game that all but took the Rams out of a potential tying situation. Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson ran extremely well; they are a great change-of-pace tandem. The receivers had some good catches, but several (notably a fumble by Chris Givens as he tried to turn upfield) were very close to being turnovers or drops. It seems that Brandon Gibson is Bradford's new favorite target with Danny Amendola out, but time will tell which receiver steps up. The O-line was very average. Good but not great. They overall performed well, but they didn't give much time in several critical situations. Still, they are pretty good considering the talent (or lack thereof) up front.
Defensively, the Rams played stout, but were exploited on several long drives by the Dolphins. Tannehill managed to get the ball out very quickly, giving the D-line little time to force pressure on the young rookie. When they did manage to penetrate, Tannehill frequently passed short over the middle or in the flats to uncovered runningbacks or wideouts. The key to stopping Miami's offense was forcing them into 3rd down situations. Unfortunately, they managed to move great late in the game, giving the Rams little time to tie the game. The linebackers were okay in coverage, but their tackling, once again, could use work. Same goes for the corners and safeties. There were some plays that could have been made, but the Dolphins exposed the Rams on several key plays to sustain drives.
Special teams, which was usually the strong point of the Rams, was terrible on Sunday. As said before, Greg Zuerlein was perfect on the season before missing his last three kicks. Johnny Hekker performed admirably in limited time. Janoris Jenkins and Chris Givens both fumbled returns, and the Dolphins took advantage on the Givens fumble. Brit Miller also made a costly error on a kick return that resulted in a Dolphins score. Special teams was certainly nothing to be proud of on Sunday.
Overall, the Rams should've won this game. The offense had its groove back, the defense was strong and kept the game close, and special teams made a few recoverable missteps. But the Rams just couldn't pull it out and let the Dolphins slip away as the South Florida rain drizzled down late in the game. Fortunately, the Rams head back home next week. Unfortunately, that game will be against the even more upstart Green Bay Packers.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Rams have played well at home this season, winning all 3 home games. That could change next week, as the Packers (who just got finished destroying the previously undefeated Texans) could have a field day in another dome. I don't think this game will be as close as I thought. The Rams have a good defense that maybe could've beaten the Pack earlier in the season. But if Green Bay is really out of their funk, the Rams could be in for a long day of passing and getting rocked. And if that's not enough, they have a London game against New England to look forward to (although that one may be close...but more on that next week).
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