The Miami Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak with a strong overall performance by defeating the Los Angeles Rams, 23-15, at SoFi Stadium on Monday night.

The victory improved the Dolphins’ record to 3-6 and gave them renewed optimism about their ability to make the playoffs in the second half; he also impressed voters in terms of power rankings.

Sports Illustrated

Ranking: 23

Last week: 24

Analysis: A good opportunity for Miami to end the losing streak despite a complete lack of style points. I think we’re so used to what this Mike McDaniel offense can look like that this Monday night job was a little hard to digest. Tua Tagovailoa turned the ball over, swung his head through the heart of an interception return and almost had an extra pick in this one. Fortunately, the Rams’ own offensive struggles allowed for some wiggle room.

Professional Football Discussion

Ranking: 20

Last week: 25

Analysis: In recent years, they started fast, then limped to the finish line. Can they flip the script this year?

CBS Sports

Ranking: 20

Last week: 23

Analysis: It was a saving victory against the Rams. Defense played a big role in this game. They are still alive.

NFL.com

Ranking: 20

Last week: 24

Analysis: The offense had long stretches of ineffectiveness Monday night, but the Dolphins held the Rams to five field goals, keeping them out of the end zone in a 23-15 road victory. The defense did its best early, causing two turnovers and stifling Los Angeles’ passing game, before having to hang on late. The return of Zach Sieler seemed to lift the unit, and Chop Robinson gave them some quality shots. And even with a few lulls, the Dolphins made just enough big plays to keep the Rams at bay. Miami still has to give the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle more than nine times in total, and can we give my man Malik Washington a few more touches, please? With two must-win contests coming up, the Dolphins aren’t dead yet. They will probably have to win every game thrown and two out of three against the Packers, Texans and 49ers. Likely? No. Feasible? Maybe.

The ringtone

Ranking: 20

Last week: 24

Analysis: It’s a shame that Miami lost its grip on the season while Tua Tagovailoa was out with a concussion, because over the last three games, Miami seems to have found an offensive rhythm that it lacked early in the season. Tagovailoa seemingly returned to the game with a better sense of when and how to escape pressure, and he found success by keeping his throws short and largely out of danger. While Miami did enough to beat the Rams on Monday night, there are still defenses on the schedule that will sit on those quick throws and force Tagovailoa to play outside of his comfort zone.

USA Today Sports

Ranking: 18

Last week: 23

Analysis: While certainly modest by his standards, WR3 Odell Beckham Jr. is slowly integrating into this offense, catching all five of his targets over the past two games for a team that’s suddenly sniffing the margins of the wild-card race.

Professional Football Network

Ranking: 17

Last week: 25

Analysis: The Miami Dolphins’ third win of the season and first since early October came at just the right time for their playoff hopes. Miami’s offensive numbers here are a bit misleading because, with Tua Tagovailoa, this is a top 10 unit. Without him, however, they find themselves bottom three, if not worst, in the league. The Dolphins defense picked up a few key pieces in Week 10, and it showed, limiting the Rams to just 15 points. Miami must now take advantage of a schedule that remains relatively flexible to try to get as close as possible to 10 victories. There are five very winnable games left on the schedule and three in which they should at least be competitive.

Athletics

Ranking: 20

Last week: 27

Analysis: By the numbers, Tua Tagovailoa is playing very well. He is eighth in EPA dropbacks (0.14) and he completes over 70 percent of his passes. However, Monday night’s win, in which he went 20 of 28 for 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception, improved his record as a starter this season to just 2-3. Granted, those losses came to Buffalo (twice) and Arizona, but there’s still something missing in this offense, and Tagovailoa is the player most responsible for fixing that problem.

Yahoo! Sporty

Ranking: 18

Last week: 24

Analysis: Miami got a big effort from its defense Monday night. The Dolphins could be a very good team for the rest of the season if they can stay healthy. But they’ll have to be nearly perfect for that to result in a playoff spot.

Money launderers report

Ranking: 21

Last week: 23

Analysis: The Miami Dolphins entered the 2024 season with playoff aspirations. They entered Week 10 with two wins and the slimmest hope of realizing those aspirations. However, despite a frustrating start to the season, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters before Monday night’s game against the Rams that he still believes the Dolphins can put together a run and get back into the conversation in the playoffs.

For the record, the Dolphins’ next opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders, has an average rating of 29.5, with a high of 25 and a low of 32 (per three outlets).