The Los Angeles Rams host the Miami Dolphins tonight to complete the tenth week of National Football League action. Handicapping this contest based on these two teams' record is pure folly, the records for the Rams and Dolphins were compiled while both teams were struggling based on a series of critical injuries.
The Rams were missing key parts on both sides of the ball, and in a season where they are looking to fill the hole left by the retirement of Aaron Donald, the injuries made the launch of Sean McVay’s 2024 season rocky. Los Angeles won only one of their first five games, surprisingly against the talented San Francisco 49ers.
Now, since their walking wounded rejoined the action on the field, the Rams have won three straight games and remain in the thick of the highly competitive NFC West Division race.
The Dolphins have struggled this year while their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, was sidelined with another in a series of concussions the signal caller has suffered during his pro career. Without Tua the Dolphins offense goes nowhere.
But, the Dolphins problems really seem to be a little deeper than simply the loss of their field general. In his third season at the helm of the Dolphins, Head Coach Mike McDaniel appears to be losing control of his squad. In the next couple months, the NFL will shed five more head coaches, two have already been fired this year, and McDaniel is a likely suspect to be joining the unemployed.
Unless, of course, he turns the Dolphins around in a big hurry.
When McDaniel moved from the 49ers coaching staff to his Dolphins position, he was an instant hit with both his team and the fans. Like no other coach in the league, McDaniel is one of those characters that is just off-center enough to be highly appreciated. When he was leading the Dolphins to the playoffs, it was all good.
But, being just a little off-center when things go bad can have real consequences. What once looked attractive has now turned to odd.
Like a golden boy, who gets the attention early and is put on a pedestal, McDaniel is now suffering from unmet expectations.
The Rams are a more secure team today, and this one looks like an easy win for the home team.
Too easy, in fact, and that is where a team like the Rams, riding a win streak, can fall flat. A team needs a call to action to succeed, and tonight, I don’t see the driver necessary to spur the Rams effort.
Two teams, one game, no pick.