Defense plays a big role in Miami's win over Los Angeles on MNF

Miami scored on its first drive and maintained the lead throughout the contest to secure a 23-15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, improving its record to 3-6 on the season.

We go to “Inside the Numbers,” presented by BDO, to take a look at the most notable team stats, individual metrics, milestones and more from Miami's Week 10 win.

Miami held Los Angeles to five field goals, with the Rams unable to convert any of their three red zone possessions into touchdowns. It is the first time the Dolphins have defeated their opponent without a touchdown since Week 15 of the 2023 season, when they defeated the NY Jets 30-0.

The Dolphins also forced two turnovers, an interception by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in the first quarter and a forced fumble by defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand that was recovered by Kendall Fuller in the second quarter. It was the second time this season the team had multiple takeaways in a game.

The Dolphins' defense continued its strong performance on third down, limiting the Rams to just three conversions on their 12 attempts. Miami has posted a third-down conversion rate of 25.0% or less in three of the team's nine games this season, tied for the third-most games in the NFL. On the year, Miami's defense has only allowed opposing teams to convert 32.0% of their third downs, which is tied for the third-best mark in the league.

Miami limited Los Angeles to 70 rushing yards and an average of 3.9 yards per carry. The 70 rushing yards is the lowest mark the Dolphins have allowed in a game this season and the lowest since they allowed 23 yards to the Jets in Week 15 last season.

Chasing the quarterback

Miami recorded a season-high four sacks against the Rams, the first time the team recorded at least four sacks in a game since Week 16 of the 2023 season against Dallas.

Linebacker Chop Robinson recorded the second sack of his career and second in as many weeks by bringing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford down 10 in the first quarter and forcing the Rams to punt. Robinson is one of three rookies this season to record sacks in at least two consecutive games, along with Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse and Arizona linebacker Xavier Thomas. Robinson became the first Dolphins rookie to record sacks in consecutive games since linebacker Jaelan Phillips recorded at least one sack in three straight games in 2021.

Defensive tackle Calais Campbell recorded his third sack of the season, added a tackle for loss and defended two passes, including a deflection that led to Walker's interception. This was the fifth time in his career that Campbell recorded at least one sack, one tackle for loss and two pass deflections, and the first time since Week 8 of the 2013 season.

Linebacker Quinton Bell recorded the first sack of his career when he got around the edge to knock the ball away from Stafford and added his first career forced fumble on the final drive of the first half. Safety Jevón Holland sacked Stafford for a loss of 12 yards in the third quarter, marking the fifth sack of his career. Since entering the league in 2021, Holland has ranked in the top 10 in sacks among safeties in the entire NFL.

Efficient Tagovailoa leads productive offense

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went 20 of 28 (71.4 percent) for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception on the night. Tagovailoa connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a one-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, marking his ninth straight game with at least one passing touchdown, the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL. Tagovailoa has a completion percentage of 72.4, the highest in the league this season.

Tagovailoa completed passes to eight different players on the night, tied for the team's second-most passes in a game this season. His three completions of at least 25 yards were the most he has had in a game this year (Jacksonville, 9/8/24).

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle led the team with 57 receiving yards on three receptions. Hill's second touchdown reception of the season marked the seventh SoFi Stadium touchdown of his career, giving him the lead in touchdowns scored as a visiting player in SoFi Stadium history. He totaled three receptions for 16 yards (5.3 average) and the touchdown, while adding two runs for 11 yards (5.5 average) on the ground.

Running back De'Von Achane continued to showcase his versatility by carrying the ball 12 times for 37 yards (3.1 avg) and hauling in five balls for 15 yards (3.0 avg). Achane is second in the league among running backs with 42 catches this season, trailing only New Orleans' Alvin Kamara with 51 catches. His 317 receiving yards ranks him among the top five NFL running backs, ranking fourth. He became the first running back in franchise history to rush for 1,250 yards (1,257) and record 500 receiving yards (514) in his first 20 career games.

Rookie wide receiver Malik Washington scored his first career touchdown with an 18-yard rush on the game's first drive. The rushing touchdown was Washington's only shot of the night, but he added a 17-yard reception that set up a Jason Sanders field goal and gave the Dolphins an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Sanders climbs record book

Miami's kicker was three for three on field goals and two for two on extra points, making two field goals from 50 yards and one from 37 yards. The two field goals pushed him past Garo Yepremian and moved him into third place in Dolphins history for field goals made. The game was Sanders' 21st game with three field goals and his fourth career game with two field goals from at least 50 yards. He is the only kicker in Dolphins history to make multiple field goals of 50 yards or more in a game and is 6 of 8 on field goals of 50 yards or longer this season.

Sanders appeared in his 108th consecutive game for the Dolphins, passing Dwight Stephenson for the ninth-longest streak in franchise history.

Individual/team stats and milestones

This was Miami's first win on Monday Night Football since beating New Orleans 20-3 in Week 16 of the 2021 season. The Dolphins earned their 13th win over the Rams in franchise history, improving the team's winning percentage in the season Series at .867, best against any opponent. Among all series with at least 15 games played, Miami's 13-2 record and .867 winning percentage against the Rams is the second-highest of any matchup in NFL history.

Running back Raheem Mostert surpassed the 100 reception mark for his career and caught two passes for 34 yards (17.0 average), raising his total to 101 for his career. He was one of three active and undrafted running backs to record 100 career receptions, along with Pittsburgh's Jaylen Warren and Washington's Austin Ekeler.

Tight end Jonnu Smith made three catches for 45 yards (15.0 yards average), including a season-long 33-yard reception, to put the Dolphins at the one-yard line. That 33-yard reception was his 11th third-down reception of the season, tied with Waddle for the most by a Dolphin this season.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the team with 11 tackles, six solo, and added a tackle for loss.

WR Odell Beckham Jr. had two catches for 17 yards (8.5 yards average), including a crucial third-down catch in the fourth quarter.

Several Dolphins reached games played and started milestones. Fuller appeared in his 125th career game, defensive back Elijah Campbell in his 50th career game, linebacker David Long Jr. in his 75th career game and safety Jordan Poyer started in his 125th career game.