Latest update hints that Dolphins may need to bench star player to face Rams

When the NFL schedulers matched the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Rams for Monday Night Football in Week 10, the belief was that both teams would be smack dab in the middle of the playoff hunt. Well, that hasn't happened. While you can make the argument that the LA Rams have dramatically improved their odds of postseason participation, the Dolphins spat of bud luck has cast a foggy uncertainty over their chances this season. And at 2-6, they will need to play virtually flawless football to earn a seed in the AFC Playoffs.

Even now, the 'Phins hope that the return of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will mean that their fortunes have changed. But he has played in two games already, and have lost to both the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals.

And now, as they prepare to face the LA Rams, their star wide receiver Tyreek Hill is fighting through a wrist injury that could bench him in Week 10.

Of course, with a Monday Night Football game on the schedule, the week of preparation for both the Rams and the Dolphins has been moved back one day. So Saturday, November 9, 2024, is the last day of practice for the upcoming game. With that, we won't know Hill's official status until the end of practice. But signs are pointing towards his status becoming inactive.

Even as the Dolphins await word over Hill's status, the Rams secondary benefits. Despite the Rams defensive backs honing their ball-hawking skills of late, they have not exactly shut down the passing assaults of their opposition. In fact, the Rams have allowed 195 passing yards to the Las Vegas Raiders (8 yards below their average), 212 yards to the Minnesota Vikings (10 yards below their average), and 317 passing yards to the Seattle Seahawks (49 yards over their average).

Right now, the Miami Dolphins average 191.0 passing yards per game. But if Hill sits out. the Dolphins could fall below that average. And that is a bonus for the Rams, a team that is desperate for another win.

Perhaps the bigger impact will be felt in the timing of the Dolphins passing game. We know that the Rams pass rush has been incredibly effective of late, and has averaged 4.0 quarterback sacks per game since the Week 6 BYE. With Hill likely to be benched, the timing of the Dolphins offense will suffer, leading to more opportunities to get a sack. If not a sack, pressure could force mistakes, leading to interceptions.

Don't misread me. I'm not cheering for injury. I'm merely pointing out the outcome if Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill cannot suit up for Week 10. If the Rams needed a break, this could be it.

Thanks for reading.

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