Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks during a news conference after the Rams were defeated 23-15 in an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins fans pose during the first half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, hands off to running back Kyren Williams during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell, left, and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford greet each other after the Dolphins defeated the Rams 23-15 in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) and Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) shake hands after an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, right, escapes a tackle by Rams safety Kamren Kinchens during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams running back Kyren Williams runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford recovers a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the ball past Rams safety Kamren Kinchens (26) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field after the first half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford scrambles with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., below, intercepts a pass by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom, left, celebrates and interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom, center, celebrates and interception with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, left, and safety Kamren Curl during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams linebacker Jared Verse, right, forces a fumble on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams’ Matthew Stafford runs out prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams cheerleaders stand during the national anthem and part of Salute to Service prior to an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Dan Marino is seen prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford takes a break during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Rams head coach Sean McVay is seen prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) People participate in a pregame military enlistment ceremony as part of salute to service prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Fans pose in front of SoFi Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Fans arrive for an NFL football game between Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) The front of SoFi Stadium is seen prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Show Caption1 of 29Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks during a news conference after the Rams were defeated 23-15 in an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Expand INGLEWOOD — This was supposed to be the week. After seven weeks of piecing together an offense, the Rams were fully replenished. Receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua came back two weeks ago; on Monday against the Miami Dolphins, offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson returned. Even with right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) sidelined, this was supposed to be the closest version to a fully functioning Rams offense. Instead, in a 23-15 loss, we saw a dysfunctioning Rams offense that failed to score a touchdown for the first time since last November’s loss to the Packers in which quarterback Brett Rypien started in place of an injured Matthew Stafford. Stafford was healthy against Miami (3-6), but it didn’t make a difference. The Rams (4-5) managed 327 yards, and 70 on the ground. They averaged 5.1 yards per passing attempt. They went 3-for-12 on third down and 0-for-3 in the red zone. A 10-yard loss on a screen pass on their first play from scrimmage boded poorly for the Rams offense, which opened the game with two three-and-outs. The unit only managed 19 yards in the first quarter as the Rams were held scoreless in the first 15 minutes for the fifth time this season. They started the game 0-for-7 on third down with two sacks and a tipped-ball interception. The Dolphins came away with four sacks on the night, not to mention three tipped balls at the line of scrimmage while limiting the Rams to 3.9 yards per carry. The Rams offensive line was playing with Avila and Jackson back in the lineup for the first time since Week 1 and 2, respectively, and the rust for the unit was apparent. “There was a lot of things that were not in alignment with what we’re looking for,” head coach Sean McVay said. “And that’s why you hear us talk about the importance of the continuity.” The Rams started three first-half drives at their own 49 or better field position. Those three possessions ended with a punt, a lost fumble and a field goal. The loose ball from running back Kyren Williams came one play after linebacker Christian Rozeboom intercepted Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. And that was the thing. Again, it was the Rams defense keeping the team in the game. After allowing a 70-yard touchdown drive to start the night, the Rams held the Dolphins to 41 yards in their next six possessions. The young defensive front continued to be disruptive. On the possession following Williams’ fumble, Jared Verse stripped Tagovailoa and recovered the ball himself to give the Rams their best starting field position of the day, at the Dolphins’ 36. But Stafford overthrew tight end Davis Allen on third down, and the Rams had to trot out the field goal unit. “We gotta be better playing complementary football for our defense out there,” Nacua said. “We’re going into the fourth quarter, I feel like they’re playing 75 snaps. So it’s not easy when you’re out there the whole game and then you gotta come up and make crucial stops. But we can help them out on that part.” Related Articles Los Angeles Rams | Rams preparing to face Dolphins and old friend Jalen Ramsey Los Angeles Rams | Miami Dolphins at Rams: Who has the edge? Los Angeles Rams | Rams’ offensive line expects to receive major boosts Los Angeles Rams | Rams’ WR Demarcus Robinson on track for career year in ‘right place’ Los Angeles Rams | Rams getting offensive line back into order And when the Rams finally got moving, they made mistakes to undo themselves. In their first eight drives, the Rams managed more than 20 yards just twice. Both of those drives were stopped by fumbles; one a strip-sack, the other a high snap from center Jonah Jackson, back off injured reserve for the first time since Week 2. “It was just negative plays at the wrong time, whether it was a turnover or a sack or an inefficient play on first down,” Stafford said. “Whatever it was, we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit in that strike-zone area, right, 30-yard-line-ish area. And that was probably the difference in the game, not coming away with touchdowns.” It wasn’t until halfway through the fourth quarter that the Rams finally reached an “and-goal” situation, and by that point, they were down by 12. And on third-and-goal, Stafford tried to force the ball into Demarcus Robinson, missing that Williams had slipped out of the backfield and was uncovered with a clear path to the end zone. The Rams settled for a field goal, only to give one back up on defense on the ensuing drive as the Dolphins worked the clock below three minutes. Down 11 again, the Rams worked their way back to the red zone, only to allow Josh Karty to kick his fifth field goal and attempt an onside kick that Miami recovered without incident. So now the Rams find themselves 1.5 games out of the NFC West lead, with an offense that was supposed to power this team instead of struggling to stay on the field and drawing a one-word description from McVay: “Inconsistent.” “We’re all in this thing together and we’ll all look at it and we’ve got to be able to improve,” McVay said. “And everything is on the table.”