LA Rams vs Miami Dolphins: Trap game alert

Are the LA Rams heading for a trap game in Miami today? How can the Rams game day turn out as expected?

Today the LA Rams are playing the Miami Dolphins on the road, in what looks like an easy win against rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s first start. Of course, the fact that this appears to be a slam-dunk victory is another way of saying that this is indeed a trap game.

There are a varying number of factors that could lead to an upset of the favored team in a football game.

1. Before Tua Tagovailoa arrived in the NFL, he was praised as the number one pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to tank for before the rise of now Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. While no quarterback is a certain prospect, you still don’t want to underestimate him.
2. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores was on the New England Patriots 2018 Super Bowl team as the defensive coordinator that kept the LA Rams to a measly three points. McVay’s scheme is still fundamentally similar and Flores could have a great plan.
3. Dolphins are coming off their bye week. With more time to prepare, their defense will have had more time to study the Rams.  If they can key off of the Rams offense to distinguish between pass and run, that could prove to be difficult for the Rams to overcome. It also gives them time to come up with gameplay to not turn the ball over and get the ball out fast to protect their quarterback against Rams’ defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

As long as the Miami offense gets the ball out quick and is turnover-free it gives their defense a chance to make plays.

Dolphins do good things

Their defense has two of the highest-paid corners in Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. They will rely on that secondary to be fundamentally sound and to play the pass and not bite on play-action. The Dolphins secondary can buy their front-seven more time to rush the passer, allowing their defense to key in on Rams quarterback Jared Goff when he rolls out. Keep in mind Goff on occasion has few blockers when he bootlegs outside the pocket.

While the Rams should make it a dominating win, don’t be surprised if the Dolphins put up a fight and could sneak out a win either. If the Rams can only pass when needed and not put Goff under duress everything should be just fine. A healthy dose of the running game, spearheaded by running back Darrell Henderson and the rest of the running back committee is what the Rams need.