The Dolphins and Rams may have altered their seasons on Monday.
Miami snapped a three-game losing streak, while Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak ended in the Dolphins’ 23-15 win.
Here are five takeaways from the final game of Week 10.
Dolphins alive for playoff berth in weak AFC
Miami (3-6) kept its dim playoff hopes alive with its first win since Oct. 6.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, in his third game back since a four-game stint on injured reserve due to a concussion, had two big pass plays to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on the opening drive, and he found wide receiver Tyreek Hill for his second receiving touchdown of the season in the third.
The Dolphins are only a game behind the Broncos (5-5) in the loss column and have a manageable upcoming schedule. They host the Raiders (2-7) and Patriots (3-7) over the next two weeks, giving them an excellent opportunity to keep pace or gain ground in the wild-card hunt.
Rams hurt by conservative approach
Rams head coach Sean McVay might want a do-over. His conservative call late in the fourth quarter to kick a field goal on a 4th-and-goal from the Dolphins’ 4-yard line instead of going for it helped Miami pull off the upset.
ESPN Analytics recommended that McVay keep his offense on the field, with Los Angeles’ win expectancy jumping 5.6 percentage points by going for it instead of settling for a field goal.
By adding three points, the Rams trailed by eight and had no margin of error on Miami’s ensuing drive, when Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders drilled a 50-yarder to extend the lead back to two scores.
If McVay had gone for it on 4th-and-goal inside Miami’s 5-yard line, the Rams could have added four points to their possession by converting, which would have kept it a one-possession game following Sanders’ make.
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