INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Miami Dolphins may have turned their season around with a crucial victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, winning 23-15 at SoFi Stadium.

This win not only halted a frustrating three-game losing streak for the Dolphins—two of which were lost on last-second field goals—but it also breathed life into their playoff aspirations.

Despite starting the season with a dismal 2-6 record, Miami’s triumph over the Rams has placed them just 1.5 games behind the Denver Broncos for the seventh seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Historically, only three NFL teams have managed to qualify for the playoffs after a 2-6 start, but the Dolphins are now in a promising position with upcoming home games against the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots.

Should they capitalize on these opportunities, Miami could leap to a 5-6 record ahead of their Thanksgiving matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Entering Week 10, the Dolphins had a mere 8.1% chance of making the playoffs as per ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI).

However, the team's remaining schedule is one of the easier ones in the league, ranked 10th, making their playoff hopes a tantalizing prospect for fans and analysts alike.

With their chances of winning the AFC East appearing grim, Miami is focusing on securing one of the three wild-card spots to extend their playoff streak to three years.

Quarterback Analysis:

Tua Tagovailoa's performance was a rollercoaster, marked by a concerning second quarter where he threw an interception and lost a fumble on consecutive plays.

Nonetheless, he rallied to finish with 207 passing yards and a touchdown, converting five important third-down attempts along the way.

Coach Mike McDaniel noted that Tagovailoa's tendency to take unnecessary sacks is an area for improvement as he navigates his fifth NFL season.

Defensive Dominance:

The Dolphins' defense was relentless against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, applying constant pressure throughout the game.

Stafford faced intense scrutiny, enduring 13 pressures and being sacked four times—his most in a single game this season.

Key Players:

Rookie defensive standout Chop Robinson has emerged as a key contributor with his tenacity on the field.

Following the injury of Jaelan Phillips, Robinson recorded five pressures and added a sack, marking a significant milestone in his growing career.

Looking Forward:

The Dolphins are set to face the Raiders next Sunday, a crucial game as they look to build momentum in their playoff push.

Rams Struggle:

On the other side, the Los Angeles Rams fell to 4-5, significantly damaging their playoff chances, now sitting at just an 11.5% likelihood to win the NFC West as rivals like the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers continued their winning ways.

Despite the return of star players like wide receiver Cooper Kupp and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson from injury, the Rams' offense faltered.

The team struggled particularly on third downs, converting just 1 of 10 attempts.

For quarterback Matthew Stafford, this game marked a significant low;

after a streak of impressive performances, he failed to throw a touchdown, completing 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards and registering an interception.

This marks his sixth consecutive game with an interception, which ties his career-long streak.

Emerging Talent:

A bright spot for the Rams is first-round draft pick Jared Verse who continued to impress with a sack in his third consecutive game, alongside two tackles for a loss.

Verse's performance puts him in elite company, as his 11 tackles for loss in his first nine games tie him with notable players like Von Miller and Micah Parsons.

As the Dolphins gear up for what's sure to be a crucial matchup with the Raiders,

fans will be watching closely to see if Miami can keep their playoff dreams alive. Will they defy the odds and dig themselves out of a deep hole? Only time will tell!