The Miami Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23-15 on November 11, 2024. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 207 yards with one touchdown. Matthew Stafford passed for 293 yards but threw an interception with zero touchdowns. Miami’s red zone efficiency (2/3) proved decisive against the Rams’ 0/3 conversion rate.
Game Overview and Final Score
Miami walked into SoFi Stadium and left with a 23-15 victory on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins improved to 3-6 while the Rams dropped to 4-5. Both teams entered desperate for a win, but only Miami found the end zone.
The scoring tells the complete story. Miami scored two touchdowns and kicked three field goals. Los Angeles managed zero touchdowns and relied entirely on Joshua Karty’s five field goals. The Dolphins scored first and never trailed.
First-quarter action saw Malik Washington rush 18 yards for a touchdown on Miami’s opening drive. The Rams answered with field goals. Jason Sanders kicked a 50-yarder in the second quarter to extend Miami’s lead to 10-0. Karty responded with field goals from 34 and 55 yards to cut the deficit to 10-6 at halftime.
Tyreek Hill caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa in the third quarter. That score pushed Miami ahead 17-6. The fourth quarter became a field goal battle. Karty added three more kicks while Sanders nailed two, including a clutch 50-yarder with 2:38 remaining to seal the win.
The game lasted 2 hours and 49 minutes. Attendance reached 72,474 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Quarterback Performance Comparison
Tua Tagovailoa completed 20 of 28 passes for 207 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception. His completion percentage sat at 71.4%.
Matthew Stafford completed 32 of 46 attempts for 293 yards. He threw zero touchdowns and one interception. His completion percentage reached 69.6%.
| Stat Category | Tua Tagovailoa | Matthew Stafford |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 20/28 | 32/46 |
| Passing Yards | 207 | 293 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Completion % | 71.4% | 69.6% |
The numbers reveal a paradox. Stafford threw for 86 more yards but couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone. Tagovailoa’s efficiency on third down made the difference. He went 9-of-12 for 137 yards when converting third downs.
Third-down situations separated these quarterbacks. Miami converted 6 of 13 third-down attempts (46.2%). Los Angeles converted just 3 of 12 (25%). Tagovailoa’s ability to extend drives kept the Rams defense on the field and controlled the clock.
Stafford’s yardage came from volume, not efficiency. He needed 46 attempts to reach 293 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Tagovailoa averaged 7.4 yards per attempt with 18 fewer throws.
The interceptions came at different moments. Tagovailoa threw his first pick since September 12 to Christian Rozeboom in the second quarter. He then attempted to tackle Rozeboom, raising concerns about his durability. Stafford’s interception came to Anthony Walker Jr. in the second quarter, derailing a Rams drive.
Rushing Attack Breakdown
De’Von Achane led Miami’s rushing attack with 12 carries for 37 yards. That’s 3.1 yards per carry. Kyren Williams topped the Rams with 15 carries for 62 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt.
The rushing statistics favored Los Angeles. The Rams gained 70 total rushing yards compared to Miami’s 67. Both teams struggled to establish consistent ground games.
Malik Washington’s 18-yard touchdown run on Miami’s opening drive shifted the game’s momentum. The rookie receiver’s first career touchdown came on a designed play that caught the Rams defense sleeping. Washington took a handoff and sprinted untouched to the end zone.
Williams fumbled during the second quarter, a costly turnover that stopped a potential scoring drive. The fumble came right after Christian Rozeboom’s interception gave the Rams excellent field position. Instead of capitalizing, Los Angeles handed the ball back to Miami.
Miami’s rushing average of 3.0 yards per carry didn’t inspire confidence. The Dolphins ran 22 times total. The Rams carried 18 times, generating their slightly better average. Neither team found success on the ground, forcing both offenses to rely on passing.
The lack of rushing production meant both quarterbacks faced predictable defensive fronts. Third-and-long situations became common. This benefited Miami’s defense more than the Rams because Tagovailoa proved more efficient in those crucial moments.
Receiving Stats and Top Performers
Puka Nacua dominated the receiving stats with 9 catches for 98 yards. He averaged 10.9 yards per reception. No other receiver came close to matching his production.
Jaylen Waddle caught 3 passes for 57 yards, averaging 19 yards per catch. His efficiency mattered more than his volume. Each reception moved the chains or set up scoring opportunities.
Tyreek Hill finished with minimal receiving stats but scored the game’s most crucial touchdown. His 1-yard catch in the third quarter ended the longest scoring drought of his career. Hill had gone multiple games without finding the end zone before breaking through against the Rams.
Cooper Kupp contributed to the Rams’ passing attack but couldn’t generate explosive plays. The Rams’ receivers gained yards between the 20s but failed in the red zone. Nacua’s 98 yards meant nothing without touchdowns to show for it.
Odell Beckham Jr. made a memorable catch for Miami in the stadium where he won a Super Bowl with the Rams three seasons earlier. He also suffered a devastating knee injury in that championship game. His first-down reception late in the fourth quarter helped Miami run out the clock.
Receiving yards tell an incomplete story. The Rams outgained Miami 257 to 171 in passing yards. Yet Miami’s receivers made catches when the team needed them most. Third down conversions and red zone targets went to Miami’s pass catchers at critical moments.
Defensive Statistics
Jordyn Brooks led all defenders with 11 tackles. Six of those came as solo stops. The Miami linebacker stayed active throughout the game, tracking down ball carriers and making tackles in space.
Omar Speights recorded 8 tackles for the Rams, with 6 solo stops. He kept Los Angeles in the game defensively, but couldn’t generate the splash plays needed to shift momentum.
Calais Campbell registered one sack for Miami. The veteran defensive tackle continues producing despite his age. His pressure on Tagovailoa proved he still possesses the ability to disrupt quarterbacks.
Kobie Turner matched Campbell with one sack for the Rams. Turner’s pressure couldn’t overcome the Rams’ offensive struggles.
Both teams forced two turnovers. Miami’s defense created an interception and a fumble recovery. The Rams matched that output but couldn’t convert those turnovers into points.
Christian Rozeboom’s interception in the second quarter gave the Rams the ball at Miami’s 14-yard line. An illegal blindside block penalty moved the ball back to the 43. On the next play, Kyren Williams fumbled, giving the ball right back to Miami. That sequence epitomized the Rams’ inability to capitalize on opportunities.
Jared Verse sacked Tagovailoa and recovered the fumble at Miami’s 36-yard line in the second quarter. The rookie edge rusher created chaos, but the Rams offense couldn’t punch it in.
The tackling numbers reveal a physical battle. Brooks alone made 11 stops. The Dolphins’ defense held the Rams to zero touchdowns despite allowing 327 total yards. That’s championship-level red zone defense.
Special Teams and Kicking Performance
Joshua Karty accounted for every Rams point. He made 5 field goals: 34, 55, 53, 22, and 31 yards. His 55-yarder set a career high. He went 5-for-6 on field goal attempts with one miss.
Jason Sanders connected on 3 field goals for Miami: 50, 37, and 50 yards. He also made both extra point attempts. Sanders went 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points.
The kicking battle highlights Miami’s advantage. Sanders kicked field goals and extra points. Karty only kicked field goals because the Rams never reached the end zone.
Karty’s 55-yard make before halftime cut Miami’s lead to 10-6. The long-distance accuracy kept the Rams within striking distance. His 53-yarder in the fourth quarter and subsequent 22-yarder kept the pressure on Miami.
Sanders’ 50-yard field goal with 2:38 remaining pushed Miami’s lead to 23-12. That kick essentially ended the game. The Rams needed two scores with limited time remaining.
Field position battles remained even. Neither team gained significant advantages on kickoffs or punt returns. The punting game saw minimal action as both teams converted enough third downs to avoid excessive punts.
The special teams units performed their jobs without major errors. No blocked kicks, no fumbled returns, no game-changing mistakes. Both kickers executed when called upon, but only Miami’s offense gave Sanders extra point opportunities.
Team Statistics Comparison
The yardage totals created a misleading narrative. Los Angeles gained 327 total yards. Miami managed just 238 total yards. Yet Miami won by 8 points.
| Team Stat | Miami Dolphins | LA Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 238 | 327 |
| First Downs | 15 | 20 |
| Third Down Conversions | 6/13 (46.2%) | 3/12 (25%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/3 (66.7%) | 0/3 (0%) |
| Penalties | 1-15 | 6-64 |
| Time of Possession | 29:48 | 30:12 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
Red zone efficiency decided this game. Miami scored touchdowns on 2 of 3 red zone trips. The Rams went 0-for-3. Los Angeles settled for field goals every time they threatened to score.
Third down conversions gave Miami control. The Dolphins converted 46.2% compared to the Rams’ 25%. Those successful third downs extended drives, and kept the Dolphins offense on the field.
Penalties crushed the Rams. They committed 6 penalties for 64 yards. Miami committed just 1 penalty for 15 yards. Those 49 extra penalty yards killed the Rams’ drives and extended the Dolphins’ possessions.
Time of possession remained nearly even at 29:48 for Miami and 30:12 for Los Angeles. The Rams held the ball slightly longer but generated less production.
The turnover battle ended in a draw at 2-2. Both teams made mistakes. Both teams recovered fumbles. Both teams threw interceptions. The difference came in how each team responded to those turnovers.
First downs also favored the Rams 20-15. More first downs should correlate with more points. The Rams moved the ball but couldn’t finish drives.
Game-Changing Plays and Moments
Malik Washington’s 18-yard touchdown run on the opening drive set the tone. Miami scored on its first possession, taking a 7-0 lead just 2:59 into the game. That early score forced the Rams to play catch-up all night.
Tyreek Hill’s 1-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter broke his personal scoring drought. The veteran receiver hadn’t scored in several games. His celebration showed the relief of ending that streak. The touchdown pushed Miami’s lead to 17-6.
Christian Rozeboom’s interception appeared to shift momentum toward the Rams. He picked off Tagovailoa and returned the ball to Miami’s 14-yard line. Perfect field position for a touchdown. Then an illegal blindside block penalty moved the ball back. Then Kyren Williams fumbled on the next play. That sequence crushed the Rams’ chances.
Jared Verse’s sack-fumble recovery gave the Rams another opportunity at Miami’s 36-yard line. The Rams moved the ball but settled for a field goal. Another red zone failure.
Jason Sanders’ 50-yard field goal with 2:38 remaining sealed the victory. That kick pushed Miami’s lead to 23-12, requiring the Rams to score twice. Los Angeles ran out of time.
The Rams drove to Miami’s 4-yard line in the fourth quarter. Sean McVay chose to kick a field goal rather than go for the touchdown. That decision to settle for 3 points when trailing by 11 showed a lack of confidence in the offense.
Every red zone trip for the Rams ended without a touchdown. Three trips inside the 20. Three field goal attempts. Zero touchdowns. That’s the game in one stat.
What the Stats Reveal
Red zone execution separated these teams. Miami scored touchdowns when it reached the red zone. The Rams kicked field goals. That 11-point difference between touchdowns and field goals accounted for Miami’s 8-point margin of victory.
Penalties destroyed the Rams’ rhythm. Six penalties for 64 yards killed drives and created long-yardage situations. Miami’s discipline (1 penalty for 15 yards) kept its offense on schedule.
Third-down efficiency gave Miami control of the game flow. Converting 46.2% of third downs meant the Dolphins’ offense stayed on the field. The Rams’ defense couldn’t get off the field. Los Angeles converting just 25% of third downs meant their drives stalled repeatedly.
The yards-to-points ratio exposes the Rams’ inefficiency. They gained 327 yards but scored 15 points. That’s 21.8 yards per point. Miami gained 238 yards and scored 23 points. That’s 10.3 yards per point. Miami scored more than twice as efficiently as the Rams.
Turnover timing mattered more than turnover count. Both teams turned the ball over twice. But the Rams couldn’t capitalize on their takeaways. Miami’s defense held after giving up turnovers. The Dolphins created turnovers that led to points or field position advantages.
Matthew Stafford’s 293 passing yards meant nothing without touchdowns. Volume stats don’t win games. Tua Tagovailoa’s 207 yards came with a touchdown and crucial third-down conversions. Efficiency beats volume.
Joshua Karty kicked perfectly, making 5 field goals, including a 55-yarder. His performance was excellent. But kickers can’t win games alone. The offense needed to score touchdowns. They failed three times in the red zone.
The game showed that stats need context. Total yards, first downs, and time of possession all favored the Rams. Yet Miami won because it executed in the moments that mattered. Red zone trips. Third downs. Avoiding penalties. Those details determined the outcome more than overall yardage totals.
