Rams vs. Miami Dolphins: How they matchup
Rams pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense: Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, makes his regular-season debut. The 6-foot-4 quarterback is taller than Case Keenum and possesses a more prototypical NFL arm, so it will be interesting to see whether coaches keep it conservative or open up the passing game. Receiver Kenny Britt is having a career season with 44 catches for 693 yards. Goff and the offensive line could be under duress from a Miami line that features tackle Ndamukong Suh, who has five sacks. The Dolphins rank ninth in the NFL against the pass, giving up 235.6 yards per game.
EDGE: Dolphins.
Rams run offense vs. Dolphins run defense: During the second half of last week’s victory over the Jets, Rams running back Todd Gurley carried 11 times for 54 yards and looked more like the player who earned NFL offensive rookie-of-the-year honors in 2015. If Goff completes midrange or longer throws, it should help free Gurley, who continues to deal with a thigh issue. Linebacker Kiko Alonso and safety Reshad Jones are top tacklers for a Dolphins defense that ranks 30th against the run, giving up 128.8 yards per game. But the Dolphins held Chargers running back Melvin Gordon to 70 yards in 24 carries.
EDGE: Dolphins.
Dolphins pass offense vs. Rams pass defense: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has not had a pass intercepted during the Dolphins’ four-game winning streak. Last week at San Diego he passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Jarvis Landry is the top receiver with 55 catches for 658 yards. The Rams rank ninth in passing defense, giving up 223.9 yards per game. End Robert Quinn returned to practice Friday after being hospitalized Monday for what he described as dehydration. End Eugene Sims, who went through concussion protocol, also practiced Friday. Linebacker Alec Ogletree sealed last week’s victory with an interception.
EDGE: Rams.
Dolphins run offense vs. Rams run defense: Jay Ajayi, a fifth-round draft pick from Boise State in 2015, rushed for more than 200 yards in consecutive games against Pittsburgh and Buffalo and then gained 111 against the Jets. Last week against the Chargers, the 6-foot, 216-pound Ajayi gained 79 yards in 19 carries. The Dolphins will be without left tackle Branden Albert, who suffered a wrist injury last week. The Rams rank 18th against the run, giving up 103.1 yards per game. Ogletree and linebacker Mark Barron are the leading tacklers for a unit that has allowed a running back to gain more than 100 yards only once this season.
EDGE: Dolphins.
Special teams: Johnny Hekker topped his 75-yard bounce-assisted punt against Carolina with a booming 78-yard kick last week against the Jets. The play flipped the field and set the Rams up for a field goal. Hekker is averaging 46.6 yards per kick and has put 28 of 50 inside the 20. Greg Zuerlein kicked three field goals against the Jets, the second time this season he scored all of the Rams’ points in a victory. He has made 14 of 16 field-goal attempts and hasn’t missed from inside 50 yards. Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks has made 12 of 15 field-goal attempts. Jakeem Grant returned a punt for a touchdown, and Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
EDGE: Rams.
Gary Klein’s pick: There is excitement surrounding Goff’s first start, but that does not necessarily translate into an advantage for the Rams, especially against a team that has won four in a row and seems to be hitting its stride under new Coach Adam Gase. The Rams rank last in the NFL in scoring, averaging only 15.4 points per game. The Dolphins scored 30, 28, 27 and 31 points in their last four games. The Rams’ defense ranks seventh in the NFL, and it has consistently carried the weight for a team that has yet to spring Gurley for a big game.
Dolphins 24, Rams 17
Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
