Dolphins @ Rams
Final Score: Dolphins 23 – Rams 15
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp on Twitter)
This was another primetime turnover game between the Dolphins and the Rams, as both had two turnovers each. The team who made the most of the turnovers in the Dolphins got the win. The Dolphins’ offense was still less than desirable, as their defense was the game’s star with those turnovers and sacks. The Rams started slowly in this game but would start clicking in the second half. The Rams couldn’t finish with five straight field goals in this game. The whole game came down to the Dolphin’s first drive, where they seemed to click, leading to a touchdown early.
Three Up
- Puka Nacua – After being ejected last week, Nacua bounced back in a big way, leading all pass catchers.
- Cooper Kupp – Kupp normally gets outshined by Nacua, but the veteran had a good game and caught all seven targets.
- Both Defenses – It was that type of game that both defenses stood out as they combined for seven sacks and four turnovers.
Three Down
- Tyreek Hill – Fantasy managers were happy to see Hill active, but the production and targets were down. A short-yard touchdown saves his fantasy day.
- Cobley Parkinson – Parkinson has back-to-back games of 0 targets and has just 49 yards over his last four games.
- Miami’s passing offense – The once elite unit continues to disappoint even with Tua Tagovailoa back in the lineup. Not a single receiver saw over 60 yards in this game.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 20/28, 207 yards, 1 TD, INT, FUM | 1 carry, -1 yards
This was not one of Tua Tagovailoa’s best games of 2024. He made many mental errors in this game, two of which happened to be turnovers. He also took bad sacks where he could have gotten the ball away but didn’t. Outside of the game’s first drive, where he started 4/4 for 52 passing yards, it was not one of Tagovailoa’s nights. It wasn’t all his fault, as his pass catchers could not get open on many plays. At best, Tagovailoa is a streamer option, but it’s hard to trust this Dolphins pass attack.
Running Back
DeVon Achane: 12 carries, 37 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 15 yards
This was a terrible game for Achane outside of some PPR leagues. Achane couldn’t get things going, but his offensive line gave no help in this game. He consistently got wrapped up moments upon getting the ball out of the backfield. There were no running lanes for Achane to do much in this game. His saving grace was catching all 5 of his targets but only wound up with 15 yards in the air. Achane should bounce back for better games and return to RB1 status.
Raheem Mostert: 0 carries | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 34 yards
This was a weird night for Mostert. He didn’t record a single carry in this game. He was mainly used on third-down plays, and I didn’t see him much in the red zone like last week. His highlight was a key third-down dump-off that went 25 yards for a first down. If Mostert is going to see his workload drop, then he can’t be trusted as a desperate RB3 for BYE weeks moving forward.
Jaylen Wright: 5 carries, 3 yards
The rookie running back seems to have a better role on the ground than veteran Raheem Mostert in this game. Unfortunately, the ground game was ineffective, like the rest of the Dolphin’s backfield. Wright would see immediate presence after getting the handoff in the backfield. Wright’s value is a bit low until we see more improvement from his opportunities.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards, TD | 2 carries, 11 yards
This was one of Hill’s worst games playing alongside Tua. Hill’s wrist injury does raise some concerns about why he only saw four targets in this game. Most of his targets were short throws or screenplays, allowing Hill to use his legs to make plays. This Dolphins pass offense is not clicking right now, and it may not be in 2024. Hill, with this injury, drops his value down to a low WR2 with minimal upside until we can see a bounce back.
Jaylen Waddle: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 57 yards | 1 carry, -1 yard
We all thought Waddle was going to have a strong game coming out of his first drive with a 36-yard catch and run. He had that on a broken play that left Waddle wide open for positive yardage. He wouldn’t catch the ball again until the fourth quarter on a few short catches to keep the drive moving. He did have a bad drop in the second quarter that would have added another 20 yards. Waddle would lead this team in targets, but like Hill, Waddles’ upside is capped until they can prove it again.
Jonnu Smith: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 45 yards
Jonnu Smith is starting to get into more of that streamer area of fantasy football. His best catch was a 33-yard play that Smith would break off a few tackles and show off the speed he has for the position. He would drop an easy target coming his way. Smith was finding space over the middle of the field, and he made the Rams pay.
Malik Washington : 2 targets, 1 reception, 17 yards | 1 carry, 18 yards, 1 TD
The rookie receiver Malik Washington made some noise in this game. He would start off with an 18-yard endaround rushing touchdown to start off the Dolphin’s first drive. He was still mainly used on special teams as a return man. He wouldn’t touch the ball until the fourth quarter with a diving 17-yard catch. Washington is seeing a few designed plays, but not enough to consider in fantasy right now.
Odell Beckham Jr. : 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards
Odell Beckham Jr. would have his best day as a Dolphin, but it wasn’t a good one. Odell Beckham doesn’t have the burst to separate in the offense. His big catch of the night was on a broken play on defense that left Beckham wide open. He likely won’t see much fantasy relevance until something happens to Hill or Waddle.
Durham Smythe : 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Julian Hill : 1 target
Neither backup tight end made any noise in this game. They don’t have any fantasy value for teams.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 32/46, 293 yards, INT | 1 carry
Matthew Stafford’s offensive line failed him in this game. Stafford was really good the last two weeks by not getting sacked. In MNF, he was sacked 4 times. He also had a bad interception that he should have never thrown. Stafford started off poor but would pick it up in the second half. He would produce 2/3 of his total yards in a negative script. Stafford was getting pressured all game, so many of his attempts were short, quick passes that would be able to gain positive yardage. Stafford should still be a high-end QB2 in fantasy.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: 15 carries, 62 yards, FUM | 6 targets, 5 receptions, 20 yards
Star running back Kyren Williams got off to a slow start in this game. He would only have 27 yards in the first half of this game. Williams had a bad play where he lost 10 yards. In the second half, Williams was a better runner and showed off his strength to fight off defenders. He showed some value in the receiving game as well on short, quick passes that Stafford had to dump off the ball quickly. It has back-to-back games that Williams hasn’t scored after scoring in each of the first seven games. He remains an RB1 running back in fantasy.
Blake Corum: 2 carries, 8 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Rookie running back Blake Corum saw a few opportunities early in his game but would disappear as the game went on. He had some decent efficiency with his touches but would remain minimal at best. He is still just a handcuff to Williams.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Cooper Kupp: 7 targets, 7 receptions, 80 yards
Cooper Kupp was very good in this game. He looked great in finding a way to get open and connect well with Stafford in this game. He made big catches throughout the game. He was able to beat his coverage often to get open, but Stafford didn’t see him. Kupp, being able to have this strong game with a healthy Nacua, shows the potential to have WR1 upside for the rest of the season.
Puka Nacua: 14 targets, 9 receptions, 98 yards
Puka Nacua was great in this game. He started off slow with a few drops early in the game but would come alive in the negative game script. He was finding the soft coverage in the zone and getting separation in man coverage. Nacua looked healthy and used his route running ability to his advantage in this one. Nacua has WR1 upside moving forward.
Demarcus Robinson: 5 targets, 1 reception, 23 yards
Demarcus Robinson finally finished with a bad game after two solid fantasy outings prior. Robinson was only able to connect for a big gain in the fourth quarter. Most of his looks were deep downfield, and he couldn’t connect with Stafford. Clearly, seeing a full game from Nacua and Kupp is going to bring down Robinson’s production. He still managed five targets, but he is a boom-or-bust WR5 at best.
Tutu Atwell: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Tyler Johnson: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
Tutu Atwell had one catch in the first quarter and never saw another target. Johnson saw more of his targets in the final 16 minutes of the game. Both roles are likely to continue to drop with a healthy Nacua and Kupp on the field.
Davis Allen: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 25 yards receiving
Colby Parkinson: N/A
For the Rams tight end, the leader was Davis Allen and not Colby Parkinson. Parkinson would finish with zero stat line in his game. Parkinson played only a few snaps, and only saw the field on five of 35 first half snaps. Davis Allen led all tight ends and was a nice short-area receiver in this game. We could be looking at the Rams trying to get their young tight end more involved in development.