They’ve also, for now, got the look of a playoff team.
–Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (24 of 34, 172 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) didn’t have an especially productive game against the Rams through the first three quarters. But Tannehill came alive in the fourth quarter, going 13 of 16 passing for 116 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Before the first touchdown drive of the fourth quarter, Tannehill showed how his mentality has changed recently.
“I told the guys right before we went on our first touchdown drive,” Tannehill said, “‘Hey, everyone take a deep breath, we’re going to win this game.'”
And that’s what happened, largely because Tannehill led the way.
“He did exactly what big-time players do,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. “They make the plays when it counts. He did that for us.”
–Miami’s offensive line is ailing. Three starters — Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert (wrist), Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey (hip) and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (shoulder), the first-round pick — were on the sideline for the second half of Sunday’s win.
Albert, who had wrist surgery last week, said he wouldn’t rule himself out for next week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. There’s no word on when Pouncey will return. He missed the first four games of the season after an offseason hip procedure.
Tunsil, who was replacing Albert, sustained his injury in the second quarter against the Rams and didn’t return.
That meant left tackle Sam Young joined left guard Kraig Urbik and center Anthony Steen as replacements on the offensive line along with regular right guard Jermon Bushrod and right tackle Ja’Wuan James.
The Dolphins were productive in the running game (19 carries, 98 yards, 5.2 yards per carry) but had a bit of trouble in pass protection (four sacks allowed). Still, they got the job done.
–Miami’s run defense, which entered the Rams game 30th in the NFL at 128.8 yards per game, had a decent showing, keeping Los Angeles to 101 yards on 28 carries (3.6 yards per carry). The Rams had 17 carries for 56 yards (3.3 yards per carry) in the second half.
Middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (eight tackles) and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (six tackles) anchored a run defense that wasn’t spectacular but made enough plays when it counted. Rams running back Todd Gurley (20 carries, 75 yards) had three carries for five yards in the fourth quarter.
NOTES: RB Jay Ajayi has rushed for 802 yards this season, including 685 during the current five-game winning streak. Ajayi has been slowed a bit the last two games, gaining 79 yards against the San Diego Chargers two games ago and 77 yards against the Rams last week. Still, he’s on pace to rush for way more than 1,000 yards. … LB Kiko Alonso, the team leader in tackles at 79, had a forced fumble and recovery Sunday against the Rams. Alonso had a team-best eight tackles and continues to show he’s past the knee problems that have slowed him the last two seasons. … S Isa Abdul-Quddus quietly had a productive day against the Rams with seven tackles and one quarterback hit. Abdul-Quddus had been playing at a high level since Pro Bowl string safety Reshad Jones (shoulder) sustained a season-ending shoulder injury a few weeks ago.
