"We didn't give up 34 points in a half," linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa said. "That was embarrassing."

Embarrassing times four, because over their past four games the Rams had yielded 24 (Chicago), 35 (San Francisco), 40 ( New York Jets ) and 24 points (Arizona) by halftime.

The Rams trailed only 10-9 at the half Sunday, en route to a 16-12 defeat to the Dolphins.

"We know when we play good 'D,' that's what we're capable of," Tinoisamoa said.

So what was the key to the dramatically better performance?

"Better execution," Tinoisamoa said.

Unlike most Rams fans, Tinoisamoa was glad when coach Jim Haslett opted to punt on fourth-and-1 from the St. Louis 40 with 4 minutes, 43 seconds to go.

"I was real happy that Haslett chose to punt the ball and put it on our shoulders at the end," Tinoisamoa said. "Because guys have been down and out. But as a defense, it was good to prove to ourselves that we can come through as long as we play together."

The defense also held firm after the first two interceptions by quarterback Marc Bulger. After the first, they got the ball back two plays later on a forced fumble by safety Oshiomogho Atogwe that was recovered by linebacker Quinton Culberson.

After the second interception, which allowed Miami to take over on the Rams' 40, the Dolphins managed only a field goal.

"That shows you that our mentality was totally different," defensive end Leonard Little said. "Coach Haslett tells us all the time that bad things are going to happen in a game. It's how we're going to respond to them. We had a couple of turnovers on offense, but on defense, we made up our mind that we were going to stop 'em and make 'em kick a field goal."

Tight ends busy

Largely an afterthought since Randy McMichael's season-ending foot injury Sept. 28, Rams tight ends were uncharacteristically busy against Miami. Eight of Marc Bulger's 35 passes went to tight ends Sunday, with Daniel Fells and Anthony Becht combining for four catches for 23 yards.

Blanked by the East

The loss to Miami meant the Rams went winless (0-4) against the AFC East this season, the first time that has happened since the move to St. Louis in 1995.

The Rams went 1-3 against the AFC East in '95, then 3-1 in '98, followed by 4-0 in '01 and 1-3 in '04.

Sitting it out

Rams inactives were cornerback Tye Hill (knee), linebacker Chris Draft (foot), offensive tackle Anthony Davis, linebacker Larry Grant, defensive end Eric Moore, offensive guard Roy Schuening and center Cory Withrow.

Ram-blings

The Rams scored on their first two possessions Sunday, the first time that has happened since the New England game Oct. 26. ... The Rams' 3-0 and 6-0 leads in the first quarter marked their first leads since the Nov. 2 game against Arizona. ... With three catches (for 30 yards) Sunday, Torry Holt has 850 career receptions, moving ahead of Rod Smith into 13th place on the NFL's career receptions list. ... Dane Looker's six catches Sunday were the second-most in his career, and his most since an eight-catch day vs. the New York Giants in 2005.