Dolphins score late to defeat the Rams, 14-10

Jared Goff’s first start for the Rams was far from spectacular.

There were no touchdown passes. No awe-inspiring completions.

And for nearly all of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, it did not appear that any would be required.

But a dominant Rams defense finally wilted, giving up two touchdowns in the final five minutes of a 14-10 defeat at the Coliseum.

Ryan Tannehill’s touchdown passes to Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker helped the Dolphins overcome a 10-0 deficit.

The Rams got the ball back with 29 seconds left but could not advance past their 48. Goff’s Hail Mary pass was knocked down in the end zone to end the game.

The Rams fall to 4-6 heading into next week’s game at New Orleans. The Dolphins won their fifth game in a row to improve to 6-4.

Goff completed 17 of 31 passes for 134 yards.

Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed for 75 yards in 20 carries, including a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Tannehill completed 24 of 34 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.

Miami running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 77 yards in 16 carries.

Goff did not start fast. On the first play of the first series, the Rams were called for a false start penalty.

Goff’s first pass was tipped, and on third down he was slammed to the turf after throwing away a pass.

But the second series went more smoothly.

After the Dolphins were called for a facemask penalty, Goff completed a short pass to rookie tight end Tyler Higbee and then threw a strike to receiver Kenny Britt for a 19-yard gain to the Dolphins’ 24.

On the next play, Gurley took a hand off and ran off-tackle for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

It was Gurley’s longest run of the season.

The Rams added a field goal by Greg Zuerlein in the third quarter, but Zuerlein’s 48-yard attempt in the fourth quarter hit the upright.

The miss came after Rams Coach Jeff Fisher opted to try a field goal rather than going for it on fourth and one at the Dolphins’ 30.

It came down to the rookie quarterback.

The Rams, down by four, started on their 41-yard line and needed a touchdown.

Jared Goff completed a seven-yard pass to Kenny Britt before throwing two incomplete passes.

Goff tried a Hail Mary pass on the final play. It fell incomplete.

That’s the ballgame.

With 36 seconds remaining in the game, Ryan Tannehill completed a nine-yard pass to DeVante Parker for a touchdown.

The Dolphins lead the Rams, 14-10.

Tannehill completed a 15-yard pass to Kenny Stills, and Aaron Donald was called for roughing the passer after a slight shove.

Jay Ajayi was tackled for a two-yard loss before Parker caught consecutive passes for 12 and nine yards.

Ajayi then rushed for 17 yards in consecutive carries.

The Rams’ defense has played great, but even they are susceptible to giving up some points.

Jared Goff took a hit as he delivered a six-yard pass to Brian Quick, four yards short of a first down.

Johnny Hekker booted a 44-yard punt, and the Dolphins will have the ball at their 25-yard line.

Todd Gurley rushed for five yards before Lance Kendricks was called for a false start on second down to back the Rams up.

Facing second and 10, Gurley was tackled at the line of scrimmage.

Jarvis Landry caught a short pass at the Rams’ five-yard line, was getting wrapped up, and then his offensive line pushed him all the way into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Rams lead the Dolphins, 10-7, with 4:02 left in the game. The scoring drive covered 77 yards in eight plays and took 2:38.

Ryan Tannehill completed consecutive passes for 15 and 12 yards to DeVante Parker.

The Dolphins also picked up extra yards when Alec Ogletree was called for a personal foul for a late hit on Landry out of bounds, after Landry caught a five-yard pass for the Dolphins’ first third-down conversion of the game.

Greg Zuerlein’s 48-yard field-goal attempt hit the upright and was no good.

The Dolphins took over at their 23-yard line after they picked up a 10-yard penalty during the field-goal attempt.

Jared Goff completed three passes during the drive, including a seven-yard pass to Kenny Britt, a three-yard pass to Lance Kendricks for a first down and a six-yard pass to Britt.

The Rams are two for 10 on third down.

Dominique Easley sacked Ryan Tannehill for a second time, and the Dolphins punted for a 10th time.

The Rams’ defense has been outstanding. The Dolphins are zero for 10 on third down.

Mark Barron nearly picked off Tannehill on second down. It was one of several near-interceptions this afternoon for the Rams’ secondary. (Maurice Alexander did intercept Tannehill in the third quarter.)

The Dolphins have 118 total yards, and the rain continues to fall at the Coliseum.

Jared Goff scrambled for four yards, and the Rams’ sideline erupted watching the rookie quarterback’s effort on third down ... but the play was called back as Greg Robinson was called for holding.

The series resulted in a three and out.

The Rams’ offensive woes continue, but the unit has shown the slightest improvement.

The Dolphins punted, again.

The Rams’ defense has played great. Also, the Dolphins’ offense looks terrible.

Jay Ajayi was tackled at the line of scrimmage, Dominique Easley sacked Ryan Tannehill and Tannehill’s third-down pass was thrown — complete — far short of the first-down marker before Trumaine Johnson tackled DeVante Parker.

The Rams and Dolphins are a combined one for 17 on third-down conversions. (That’s not good.)

Finally, more points!

If only three of them.

Greg Zuerlein kicked a 46-yard field goal, and the Rams lead the Dolphins, 10-0, in the third quarter.

No points had been scored since early in the first quarter.

The scoring drive covered 49 yards in 10 plays and took 6:05.

Todd Gurley continues to get chances carrying the ball. He rushed for 14 yards in three carries to start the drive before Tavon Austin caught a 28-yard pass.

Pharoh Cooper made his first reception of the game, catching about a nine-yard pass from Jared Goff and then fighting for an extra yard to pick up the first down.

Then, Goff scrambled for six yards, and two plays later, after the Rams were called for an illegal snap, the rookie quarterback managed to avoid a few defenders to keep the Rams within field-goal range.

DeVante Parker looked like he made a spectacular circus catch, but it was ruled incomplete. The Dolphins challenged the call, but it stood, and they punted for an eighth time.

Eight of Miami’s nine series have ended in punts; the ninth was an interception made by Maurice Alexander.

The Rams’ defense has had an outstanding day, holding the Dolphins to 130 total yards.

If only the offense could produce more points ... and yards. The Rams have 128 total yards of offense.

Rams injury update: Linebacker Josh Forrest is out for the game.

What a wild turn of events ... that resulted in a Rams punt. Go figure.

Lance Kendricks caught a 10-yard pass, fumbled and the Dolphins recovered at the Rams’ 37-yard line.

Next play, Maurice Alexander intercepted Ryan Tannehill in the end zone and the Rams started at their 20-yard line.

After a couple of long carries in the first half, the Rams have been unable to spring Todd Gurley for another big one.

However, a questionable penalty against the Dolphins — pass interference — on third down helped the Rams move down the field.

But the drive quickly stalled.

Benny Cunningham rushed for one yard, Jared Goff’s pass through the middle to Gurley fell incomplete and Kendricks dropped a third-down pass.

T.J. McDonald intercepted Ryan Tannehill... until he didn’t.

McDonald dropped the pass, but nevertheless, the Dolphins punted.

Aaron Donald tackled Jay Ajayi for a two-yard loss, and Tannehill completed a five-yard pass to MarQueis Gray.

Strong start for the Rams in the second half.

Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron wrapped up Jay Ajayi on third down to force the Dolphins to punt for a sixth time.

Dion Sims caught a four-yard pass before Robert Quinn was called offsides.

The next play, Quinn atoned for the penalty and sacked Ryan Tannehill.

The Dolphins were unable to work their way out of the second and 20 situation.

Jared Goff thought he avoided one sack, then another, before boom — two Dolphins players wrapped him up for a nine-yard loss.

Johnny Hekker punted.

Goff completed a 20-yard pass to Lance Kendricks to convert on third down for the first time in six tries.

Goff was nearly intercepted two plays later, throwing a 50-50 ball to Tavon Austin on the near sideline, but it fell incomplete.

Rams injury update: Josh Forrest questionable to return because of a knee injury.

T.J. McDonald leveled Ryan Tannehill as his pass fell incomplete and the Dolphins punted for a fifth time.

The Dolphins are 0-for-5 on third down.

Jay Ajayi rushed for 20 yards in four carries. Michael Brockers tackled him for a one-yard loss.

Trumaine Johnson nearly intercepted Tannehill, but Tannehill’s pass was just over Johnson’s reach.

Tannehill has completed eight of 11 passes for 41 yards.

The Rams went three and out.

Todd Gurley rushed for three yards, Tavon Austin rushed for a yard and Kenny Britt caught a four-yard pass.

I’m no offensive coordinator, but it seems counterproductive to have Austin, 5-feet-8 and 175 pounds, try to run the ball up the middle.

Jared Goff has completed five of 10 passes for 41 yards.

This game became chippy -- fast.

Two scuffles have broken out between the Rams and Dolphins. No flags after the first tussle, but there were offsetting personal fouls on the second.

Jay Ajayi rushed for two yards and Kenny Stills caught a three-yard pass before he was hit with a monster tackle from Maurice Alexander, who jumped to his feet and started banging his own helmet in excitement (Causing the first skirmish).

Lamarcus Joyner sacked Ryan Tannehill on third down.

The Dolphins punted and Josh Forrest and Michael Thomas were called for fouls.

This game isn’t high scoring, but so far it has been exciting to watch. The Rams’ defense is playing lights out and the offense... is showing progress.

Jeff Fisher elected to challenge the spot of Jared Goff’s third-down nine-yard completion to Brian Quick, but lost the challenge and the Rams punted.

The Dolphins will start on their 12-yard line after a nice tackle by Bradley Marquez on special teams.

Todd Gurley rushed for 18 yards before Goff threw two incomplete passes.

The first, deep to Kenny Britt -- who was well defended on the far sideline. It was a nice throw.

The second, an overthrow to tight end Tyler Higbee.

The Rams’ defense has drawn some ahhs from the crowd as it makes tackles.

The Dolphins punted for a third series.

Alec Ogletree tackled Jay Ajayi after the running back broke several tackles and rushed for 36 yards.

The Dolphins picked up a 10-yard holding penalty on the next play which they could not recover from.

Ogletree met Ajayi after he caught a short pass and made another tackle, then Jarvis Landry caught a short pass and was tackled for a four-yard loss by Trumaine Johnson.

The Rams went three and out.

Todd Gurley was tackled for a three-yard loss, Jared Goff completed a six-yard pass (it was a risky one) to Brian Quick and then his third-down attempt fell incomplete.

Unofficial team MVP Johnny Hekker kicked a 40-yard punt, a bit short of the 78-yard punt he booted last week against the Jets.

The Rams defense is playing fast and physical.

Lamarcus Joyner met DeVante Landry one yard before the sticks to keep the Dolphins from reaching a first down in their second series.

Jay Ajayi rushed for five yards in two carries.

Change the quarterback, change the game.

Jared Goff handed off to Todd Gurley, who found a hole and broke for a 24-yard touchdown, his longest carry of the season.

The Rams lead the Dolphins, 7-0, with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring drive covered 68 yards in four plays and took 1:55.

Tavon Austin rushed for seven yards to start the drive, plus he picked up an extra 15 yards when the Dolphins were called for a personal foul -- face mask.

Tyler Higbee caught a seven-yard pass and then Goff completed a 19-yard throw to Kenny Britt, which set up the touchdown.

Not a bad second series for the rookie quarterback.

The Rams’ defense, ranked seventh in the NFL, made a nice stand in its first series, not allowing a first down.

Ryan Tannehill completed a nine-yard pass to Dion Simms before the Dolphins were backed up by offensive pass interference.

Kenny Stills caught an eight-yard pass on second and 11, and Tannehill’s third-down pass fell incomplete.

The Jared Goff era started with a false start.

And the series ended four plays later when Goff was hit by Jason Jones as he threw the ball out of bounds.

In between? A tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and Todd Gurley rushed for two yards.

Goff was welcomed into the Coliseum, where there’s a steady rain and drizzle, by a chorus of cheers.

Rams nose tackle Michael Brockers.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

RAMS WHO MUST DELIVER...

Center Tim Barnes. With rookie Jared Goff making his debut, the onus falls on Barnes to keep the No. 1 overall pick in the draft calm and protect him from hits coming up the middle. That won’t be easy: Barnes has been dealing with a foot injury and the Miami defensive line features tackle Ndamukong Suh.

DOLPHINS TO WATCH OUT FOR...

Linebacker Kiko Alonso. He was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia before the season and has become Miami’s leading tackler. Last week against San Diego, he intercepted a pass with just over a minute remaining and returned it 60 yards for the deciding touchdown.

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New England Patriots fans watch as the clock winds down on their team’s 16-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 2.

(Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

Have a question about the NFL? Ask Times NFL writer Sam Farmer, and he will answer as many as he can online and in the Sunday editions of the newspaper throughout the season. Email questions to: sam.farmer@latimes.com

Why doesn’t the NFL get rid of the two-minute warning? The NCAA doesn’t have it and we sure don’t miss it watching those games.

Steve Vickery, Santa Barbara

Farmer: The NFL has looked at ways to streamline games, but Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, said he can’t remember any discussions about doing away with the two-minute warning. Teams rely on the two-minute warning as an extra timeout, and it gives the league another opportunity for commercials, so don’t look for that to change.

“It kind of resets the stage for the last two minutes of the game,” retired quarterback Rich Gannon said. “You look at the NFL today, and every game is a one-score game just about. So when you think about a one-score game, those last two minutes are critical. If the good teams are to finish well late in games, that two-minute is a big deal. A veteran quarterback who’s real good in a two-minute drill, and a team that understands how to execute in those situations. I don’t see that going anywhere.”

But the question prompts this one: How did the NFL come up with the two-minute warning in the first place? For that, I turned to Jon Kendle, archivist at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. According to Kendle, when pro football started in 1892, games consisted of two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime. There was no game clock on the scoreboard, so it was up to the referee to notify the team captains of time remaining in the half, and he was to do so at some point between 10 and five minutes left.

The games got shorter over the decade that followed, and in 1906 was trimmed to the current two 30-minute halves. The job of notifying the captains of the time remaining was passed to the field judge. In 1910, games were segmented into four quarters.

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The Rams’ have announced their inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins:

Quarterback Sean Mannion

Cornerback Troy Hill

Cornerback Blake Countess

Offensive lineman Pace Murphy

Offensive lineman Jamon Brown

Tight end Temmarick Hemmingway

Defensive lineman Matt Longacre

The Dolphins’ inactive players:

Cornerback Xavien Howard

Center Mike Pouncey

Linebacker Jelani Jenkins

Defensive lineman Nick Williams

Offensive lineman Branden Albert

Tight end Thomas Duarte

Defensive lineman Mario Williams

The Rams’ offense could be under duress from a Miami line that features defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

(Stephen Brashear / Associated Press)

Rams pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense: Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, makes his regular-season debut. The 6-foot-4 quarterback is taller than Case Keenum and possesses a more prototypical NFL arm, so it will be interesting to see whether coaches keep it conservative or open up the passing game. Receiver Kenny Britt is having a career season with 44 catches for 693 yards. Goff and the offensive line could be under duress from a Miami line that features tackle Ndamukong Suh, who has five sacks. The Dolphins rank ninth in the NFL against the pass, giving up 235.6 yards per game.

EDGE: Dolphins.

Rams run offense vs. Dolphins run defense: During the second half of last week’s victory over the Jets, Rams running back Todd Gurley carried 11 times for 54 yards and looked more like the player who earned NFL offensive rookie-of-the-year honors in 2015. If Goff completes midrange or longer throws, it should help free Gurley, who continues to deal with a thigh issue. Linebacker Kiko Alonso and safety Reshad Jones are top tacklers for a Dolphins defense that ranks 30th against the run, giving up 128.8 yards per game. But the Dolphins held Chargers running back Melvin Gordon to 70 yards in 24 carries.

EDGE: Dolphins.

Dolphins pass offense vs. Rams pass defense: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has not had a pass intercepted during the Dolphins’ four-game winning streak. Last week at San Diego he passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Jarvis Landry is the top receiver with 55 catches for 658 yards. The Rams rank ninth in passing defense, giving up 223.9 yards per game. End Robert Quinn returned to practice Friday after being hospitalized Monday for what he described as dehydration. End Eugene Sims, who went through concussion protocol, also practiced Friday. Linebacker Alec Ogletree sealed last week’s victory with an interception.

EDGE: Rams.

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Finally.

The Rams’ No. 1 pick, Jared Goff, will make his regular-season debut today against the Dolphins.

The Rams, 4-5, had lost a considerable amount of buzz in Los Angeles after a four-game losing streak, but the excitement is back with Goff ready to play.

Goff joins several rookie quarterbacks who have made their debut this season, including the Eagle’s Carson Wentz, the Cowboy’s Dak Prescott, the Brown’s Cody Kessler and the Bronco’s Paxton Lynch.

The Dolphins, 5-4, are on a four-game win streak for the first time since 2008.