The Miami Dolphins earned a massive win on Monday night, snapping a three-game skid to keep their postseason hopes afloat as the defense kept Sean McVay's Rams out of the end zone in a 23-15 victory in L.A.
The Dolphins' defense generated a season-high four sacks in the win and looked dangerous with the return of stud interior defender Zach Seiler. The presence of the big man and ageless wonder, Calais Campbell, on the inside helped open things up on the edge. Rookie Chop Robinson generated five quarterback pressures (tied for a career-high) and a sack.
"When we're playing our best ball, we can still beat anybody," Campbell said, . "We've just got to continue to believe, continue to fight. And obviously the margin for error is zero. So it's one game, but we've got to keep it going. For us to go where we want to go, we've got to keep fighting and believe."
The victory pushed Miami to a 3-6 record, second in the AFC East (behind the 8-2 Bills) and 10th in the conference. The muddled bottom of the AFC will keep several teams alive for the final wild-card spots. The 5-5 Denver Broncos currently hold the No. 7 seed.
The Dolphins' schedule could set Mike McDaniel's club up for a run. Five of Miami's final eight games are against teams currently with three or fewer wins. However, they can't afford any more stubbed toes.
"(Monday night) was a very, very important game for our team just to be on the heels of three losses, two on the final moments of the game, and I think that's something that we can build upon moving forward," McDaniel said.
Campbell helped spearhead the defensive effort early in the contest. The 6-foot-8 behemoth generated a sack, three tackles, and two passes defended in the win. At 38 years old, Campbell is a wonder. Most players -- let alone trench-warfare defenders -- are on the couch at his age. Yet Campbell continues to be a disrupter week in and week out.
He has no plans to slow down.
"God is good. I'm blessed. I'm happy. I've been healthy. I go out there and give it my all. I work really hard in the offseason to get in football shape. I have a great team that helps me prepare through the week and get back on the field. It's not easy, I'll tell you that," he said, chuckling. "But I love it, and I'm glad that God's blessed me to still do it. And I'm going to ride it ."
Likewise, the Dolphins hope they can keep riding upright down the stretch and keep their season alive.
