Powered by more opportunistic play in all three phases, Miami pushed its winning streak to five games in a somewhat odd game vs. the Bolts. With not many penalties called, a combined 9 of 27 on third-down conversions, and only 553 total yards between the two teams, the game went by very quickly, with a relative lack of drama.
After last week's nail-biter against the Cardinals, that was welcome news for this 'Fins fan.
Offense
- Tua Tagovailoa completed 15 of 25 passes for just 169 yards. He added two scores, but he had less success on scrambles and got away with three passes that easily could've been picked. However, the Dolphins seem much more trusting of the rookie, and the offensive game-calling is getting more aggressive as a result. He did make a tackle downfield on a Chargers fumble return in which he landed awkwardly, but he popped right back up.
- The offensive line struggled a bit with the Chargers pass rush. Ted Karras had a number of uncustomarily poor snaps and guard Solomon Kindley had a false start, but high-priced guard Ereck Flowers had maybe his best game, punishing defenders at the second level.
- Running back Salvon Ahmed has been a revelation thus far, racking up 85 yards on 21 carries and adding a reception for 5 yards. Patrick Laird contributed 19 yards on two carries, while Malcom Perry ran for a six-yarder and DeAndre Washington got his first two carries as a Dolphin, netting just two yards.
- At the receiver position, Jakeem Grant was the story once again. He grabbed four passes for 43 yards and a score, and he's becoming a guy that Tua looks to more and more often. DeVante Parker was relatively quiet with two catches for 31 yards, but Perry emerged with two receptions for 21 yards (he also recovered a blocked punt).
- The tight ends made significant contributions, with Mike Gesicki making two grabs for 40 yards and Adam Shaheen reeling in a 19-yarder that somehow went from an interception into a big gain for Miami. Durham Smythe's role continues to grow, and he converted a key third down on a shovel pass and also caught a touchdown pass.
Defense
- The 'Fins held the Chargers to just 4 of 13 on third downs and largely controlled the game outside of one long TD drive.
- Emmanuel Ogbah contributed yet another sack to go with two batted passes, and Shaq Lawson had five tackles and a couple of pressures. In addition to a big special teams play, Andrew Van Ginkel had five tackles and a QB hit. On the interior, Zach Sieler made five stops -- including two big hits behind the line of scrimmage -- while rookie Raekwon Davis took advantage of more reps in the absence of Christian Wilkins by recording seven tackles (four solo) -- a big number for an interior lineman.
- The linebackers had a busy day, as Los Angeles tried to nullify Miami's blitz packages with an emphasis on the running game. Former Dolphins Kalen Ballage registered 102 all-purpose yards, but this game played to Elandon Roberts's strength, and he responded with seven tackles, though he did get lost in coverage on a Chargers touchdown. Kyle Van Noy added five stops and a quarterback hit, but Jerome Baker was quieter than normal with four tackles.
- In the secondary, Eric Rowe was active as a blitzer, posting two quarterback hits to go with his six tackles. Rookie safety Brandon Jones (five tackles) gets better every week, while Bobby McCain was quiet (two stops). Nick Needham joined the fray with four tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and a hit on the quarterback, while cornerback Byron Jones had three solo stops -- including a key third-down tackle in the open field -- and a pass breakup. Xavien Howard was at the top of his game again, notching three tackles, two pass breakups, and another interception.
Special Teams
- Grant's confidence on punt returns is soaring, as evidenced by his 57 yards on three returns. He's a threat to bust one every time, and he is delivering great field position to the offense.
- Fellow receiver Parker jumped on an onsides kick to help the Dolphins salt the game away.
- Jason Sanders missed a kick. I mean, what the hell. Beyond that, he connected on three field goals (50, 35, and 49 yards) and two extra points.
- Matt Haack only punted twice, but he averaged 52 yards and he benefited from the great coverage that has become the norm for Miami on both punts and kickoffs, pinning the Chargers at the 4-yard line on one punt.
- The Dolphins kickoff coverage was sublime, forcing the Chargers to start drives on the 7-, 13-, and 18-yard lines after Sanders boots.
Momentum Plays
- It seems like Van Ginkel is contributing a massive play every week, and this time it came in the kicking game. His blocked punt set up the 'Fins from the Chargers' 1-yard line, leading to a quick Ahmed touchdown (the play featured massive guard Solomon Kindley at fullback) and a 7-0 lead a little over three minutes into the game.
- An impressive Miami drive ended with a field goal attempt on 4th & 1, but the Chargers jumped offsides, giving the Dolphins a fresh set of downs. DeVante Parker's sprawling, one-handed, left-handed TD grab was overturned (I guess he picked the wrong week considering some of the "receptions" awarded last week), but Tua hit Grant on a pivot route for a touchdown on the next play to push the Miami lead to 14-0.
- The 'Fins were deep in LA territory, on the verge of blowing the game wide open when a poor snap by Karras was kicked around until the Chargers scooped it up and returned it all the way to the Miami 37-yard line. Los Angeles converted two fourth downs, including a Justin Herbert keeper for a touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7.
- After Miami punted, Van Ginkel hit Herbert to force an incompletion, and Grant stumbled to a nifty punt return to give the 'Fins great field position. A few plays later, Sanders converted a 50-yarder for a 17-7 Dolphins lead at the break.
- Following an ugly Miami drive to start the second half, the Chargers put together an impressive, balanced drive, paying it off with a Herbert strike to Hunter Henry to make it 17-14, Miami.
- On the ensuing drive, Miami weathered two near picks for Tua, converting the drive into another Sanders field goal for a 20-14 advantage.
- Ogbah's sack set up a 3rd & 12 for the Chargers on the next drive, and Howard baited Herbert into a deep out that "X" jumped for a pick. His 28-yard return set up a short drive that culminated in a wide-open touchdown for Smythe on a tight end leak play. The two-point attempt failed when Tua couldn't hit Mack Hollins, but the Dolphins were in control, 26-14.
- After a Los Angeles punt and a Sanders missed field goal, the Chargers had a 4th & 1, but a great rush by Ogbah forced an incompletion. Laird's 17-yard run on 3rd & 7 forced the Chargers to start using timeouts, and with Miami content to run clock, Sanders crushed a 49-yarder to put the 'Fins up 29-14 with just 3:59 left.
- The Chargers hit a 28-yarder to Mike Williams on the next drive, and a missed tackle by Needham helped Los Angeles along. Miami brought the house on a third-down blitz, but Herbert easily found Keenan Allen for a 13-yard touchdown that saw Howard jar the ball loose just after Allen crossed the goal line.
- With the margin cut to a single score, 29-21, Los Angeles tried an onsides kick, but Parker fell on it easily, allowing Miami to run out the remaining 1:57 on three kneeldowns.
2020 Schedule
Miami 34, Arizona 31 (5-3)
Miami 29, Los Angeles Chargers 21 (6-3)
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