Monday Night of Week 10 is a high powered matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles, two teams who need a win in this game. Miami’s team is in shambles right now as they’re 2-6 and their season is on the edge while the Rams are in the thick of it in the NFC West after a thrilling game winning 39 yard touchdown in overtime by Matthew Stafford to Demarcus Robinson. Both teams would love a win in this one and it should be a captivating finale to Week 10 of the NFL.
Is it too early to say it’s a lost season for Miami? They’re currently 2-6 in the league and third place in the AFC East. I’d imagine they’d need at least six to seven wins to make the playoffs out of their nine remaining games but looking at their schedule, it’s very possible. Their schedule after their visit to LA is pretty easy, they play the Raiders, Patriots, Packers, Jets, Texans, 49ers, Browns, and Jets. If they go 2-1 when they play Houston, Green Bay, San Fran, and win every other game, I give them decent chance to make it but they still have to execute.
Tyler Bass robbed the Dolphins last week but this team definitely looked much better. Miami is averaging the second least points a game at 15.5 and it’s such a contrast to the team last year which was on the opposite end of the spectrum, averaging 29.2 points a game in 2023 (ESPN). We just haven’t seen those explosive plays this season and it’s been a lackluster offense. They lost Tua Tagovailoa for a bunch of games but his team is still too talented to fall flat like this. They have so many skillful players and they just completely disappeared when Tagovailoa was on injured reserve due to the concussion he suffered. They’re 24th in passing yards a game in 2024 and they’re not doing a good enough job with the receivers they have like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (ESPN). If you take away that Week 1 game for Hill, he’s averaging 4.9 catches a game for an average of 45.1 yards a game. He’s their star but has just not been involved in the passing game. Mike McDaniel has to get him involved more on Monday and send him on those deep home runs routes like he’s so good at. The run game has been good and their ninth in the league, averaging 133.9 yards a game (ESPN). De’Von Achane is a brilliant runner and he’s been one of the bright sparks in this team. He has 420 rushing yards and 302 receiving yards this season which really proves how much of a dual threat he is (ESPN). I want to see him used in screens and when he’s in the outside part of the field, he’s so fast and untouchable. Tua is a capable quarterback and when Miami’s offense is collectively rolling, they’re unstoppable. While the offense is struggling, the defense has been solid. They rank 7th in total yards a game and 4th in passing yards a game (ESPN). The secondary faces a tough task with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp so they’ll need to step up as they’ve been doing so far in this season.
The Rams have held up past the injuries of their two star wide receivers and are 4-4 in a tight NFC West where the last team Seattle Seahawks are only one game back of the team in first, the Arizona Cardinals who have a half game lead on the San Fran 49ers and the Rams. LA still has 3 more divisional games and those will really determine the outcome of the division. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has kept this team afloat and he ranks 10th in passing yards a game along with a QB rating that’s ninth (ESPN). He hasn’t had his weapons Nacua and Kupp for most of the year but he’s been fantastic with running back Kyren Williams who has 10 total touchdowns on the year (ESPN). He may not be a super hard nosed runner like Derrick Henry but Williams is an efficient drive finisher who has accounted for 10 out of the 17 touchdowns the Rams have scored this season. There were concerns whether Williams could handle a heavy workload Los Angeles is averaging 23.1 points a game in the season but over the last two games, they’re averaging 28 points (ESPN). The return of their wideouts has boosted them already and to beat Miami, they’ll need to put up points once again.
The defense has been subpar but over the last two games, they have allowed 20 points in each game, have 10 sacks, and three interceptions including a 103 yard interception return touchdown. Overall, they’re 21st in points a game, 23rd in total yards a game, 24th in rushing yards a game, and 23rd in passing yards (ESPN). Los Angeles is near the bottom in pretty much every category in a team that misses their leader Aaron Donald. They’ve been significantly better in the last two weeks and the key to stopping the Dolphins is keeping them contained on the inside of the field so their speed gets limited. The more they force Tua to make short throws and get him scrambling, the better chance newly appointed defensive coordinator Chris Shula has to win this primetime game. Tua excels within the pocket but he’s more uncomfortable when he’s on the move. It’s a test for Shula and the Rams defense but Sofi Stadium will support them on Monday Night in Inglewood.
My prediction for this game is that the Dolphins will win this game 34-24. This is the game where all of Miami’s stars come alive and finally play like the Dolphins we’re accustomed too. They were nearly there against Buffalo a week ago but they’ll win this game handily. Their playoff future seems uncertain but once they get hot, they’ll be hard to beat. The organization needs a gem from Tagovailoa because Miami needs to be almost perfect the rest of the way in order to give themselves a chance for a playoff push. You can watch this game on ESPN at 8:15 PM EST on 11/11/2024 from Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.
Week 10 of the NFL gives us an ending between two very talented offensive squads. It should be a shootout and a thriller in this primetime encounter. Will the Dolphins finally win a game after a three game losing skid or will the Rams keep moving up in the NFC West?