History certainly isn't on Jared Goff's side.

It has been 14 years -- 14 years! -- since a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall has won his NFL debut. You have to go all the way back to David Carr, with the Houston Texans, in 2002. Since then, nine consecutive No. 1 overall picks have lost their debut from under center. The list: Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Alex Smith, JaMarcus Russell, Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Jameis Winston.

Jared Goff will look to spark the Rams' offense, which has scored just two touchdowns in their past three games. Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire

Goff should end that trend Sunday.

His debut with the Los Angeles Rams won't be easy, of course. He'll face a Miami Dolphins team that has won four consecutive games, not to mention a defensive line that creates nightmares for opposing quarterbacks.

But Goff will be at home, in front of an energized Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum crowd of more than 86,000 -- and he won't do it alone.

He'll be backed by a defense that has been dominant of late, allowing the NFL's fewest points per game (12) from Weeks 7-10. The Dolphins (5-4) feature a strong running game behind Jay Ajayi, and maligned quarterback Ryan Tannehill has played excellently of late. But the Dolphins figure to be without two key offensive linemen in center Mike Pouncey and left tackle Branden Albert. The Rams' dominant defensive line should feast on that, especially if edge-rusher Robert Quinn, who practiced in full on Friday, is good to go.

Offensively, the Rams (4-5) are last in the NFL in points per game and have managed only two touchdowns over their past three contests. They have to get running back Todd Gurley going. If he can have a solid game, against an improved defense that has nonetheless allowed the third-most rushing yards per game this season, it'll take a lot of the weight off Goff's shoulders.

The Rams say they are "not scaling back" the playbook for Goff. His teammates have noticed a lot of growth in the 11 weeks that have separated him from a shaky preseason. His collegiate coach, Sonny Dykes, thinks Goff can be an asset with his arm strength and his pocket presence, two elements this offense badly needs right now. Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who informed an agitated Case Keenum that he was benching him in favor of Goff on Tuesday morning, simply believes, "It's time. It's time to move on."

In many ways, starting Goff signals a new era for the Rams in Los Angeles.

It should begin with a win.

Prediction: Rams 17, Dolphins 13.