LOS ANGELES -- The Miami Dolphins have reached a graduation point in their 2016 season.
Not only are they a hot team. But the Dolphins have also proven to be a legitimately good team.
Through major injuries, a double-digit deficit and other issues on the road, Miami produced a surprising, late comeback to pull off a 14-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. It was the fifth straight win for the Dolphins (6-4), who have not lost in 42 days. It marked their second consecutive road win after they lost their first three away from Hard Rock Stadium.
This game was downright ugly. The Dolphins couldn’t muster anything offensively for three-and-a-half quarters. They failed on their first 10 third-down attempts and didn’t score their first points until the 4:30 mark of the fourth quarter, when Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry caught a 10-yard touchdown pass and was helped into the end zone by a couple of his teammates.
That play sparked the following drive, on which Ryan Tannehill connected with receiver DeVante Parker for a 9-yard, game-winning touchdown.
Things looked dim early for Miami. The team was without two starting offensive linemen (Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey) because of injuries. Rookie first-round draft pick Laremy Tunsil injured his shoulder late in the second quarter and didn’t return to the game. The Dolphins played the entire second half against the Rams with backups Sam Young, Anthony Steen and Kraig Urbik on their offensive line.
They tried everything to get back to their usual form. They attempted more dual-tight end formations. They ran some three-tight end sets and rolled Tannehill out of the pocket. All of that was an attempt to establish the physicality and rhythm offensively that Miami managed to produce during its four-game win streak. It wasn't until the Dolphins essentially opened their two-minute offense and got into desperation mode that things clicked.
That was yet another adjustment and an example that these Dolphins, who are in the thick of the playoff race, are more than just hot. They are actually pretty good.
