Day 1,280, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Chargers Game 1 Review

 

The 'Fins survived being manhandled defensively, committing six penalties, and losing the turnover battle 2-0 to eke out a crucial road victory in Los Angeles. In a game that featured nine lead changes, Miami used a scintillating effort by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill to outlast the Chargers, 36-34, in a contest that reminded some of vintage 1980s Dan Marino-Dan Fouts matchups.

On to the 1-0 recap ...

Offense

• The Dolphins collected 30 first downs, averaging a staggering 8.2 yards per play on their way to 536 total yards. Miami had 17 plays of 15 yards or more -- which hadn't happened in the NFL in more than a decade. The unit was four of nine on third down and converted its lone fourth-down attempt, but earned just 70 yards on the ground (3.5 yards per carry) and went three of five in the red zone, so nitpickers will find some areas for improvement. The reality is that the offense bailed out a shaky debut defensive effort by coordinator Vic Fangio.
• Earning a 92.1 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), Tua connected on 28 of 45 passes for 466 yards with three touchdowns, no sacks,and five rushes for five yards. He was credited with one interception and two fumbles, but threw five first-half passes that could have been intercepted. He was pure in the final 30 minutes however, making stellar third-down decisions and fitting balls into nearly impossible windows at times.
• At running back, Raheem Mostert led the way with 10 carries for 37 yards and two grabs for 13 yards in his 49 snaps. With Jeff Wilson sidelined, Salvon Ahmed had three rushes for 11 yards, took some vicious hits, and did not reel in a catch despite three targets in his 19 snaps. His near-fumble on the game's final drive helped lead to a 62.8 PFF grade, while Alec Ingold earned a 57.2 PFF mark on the strength of two receptions for 34 yards in 30 snaps. Mostert had some big moments, but it was clear the unit missed the tone-setting style of Wilson in this one.
• Hill was simply uncoverable, reeling in 11 of 15 targets for 215 yards and two touchdowns in his 44 snaps, drawing a 30-yard pass interference penalty to boot. Showing even more versatility, he was elusive after the catch and even caught a fade pass for the winner, earning a 93.0 PFF grade. After a fast start, Jaylen Waddle finished with four grabs for 78 yards, with a long of 35, on five targets in 43 snaps for a 75.8 PFF grade. Braxton Berrios proved to be a key third-down addition, making four catches on five targets for 42 yards. Second-year man Erik Ezukanma filled a bit of a Deebo Samuel role, rushing twice for 17 yards and drawing a pass-interference flag on his lone target. River Cracraft also came up big, snaring three of five targets for 40 yards and a score. With Cedric Wilson being inactive, suffice it to say that the receiving corps looked to be in midseason form.
• Durham Smythe carried the weight at tight end, catching three passes for 44 yards on seven targets in 67 snaps on his way to a 63.5 PFF grade. Tyler Kroft got two snaps in relief, but it will be interesting to monitor tight end usage throughout the season after the Mike Gesicki fiasco of last year.
• The line had to do without left tackle Terron Armstead up front, but Kendall Lamm did an admirable job in his stead, earning a 72.9 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Next to him, Isaiah Wynn beat out a limited Liam Eichenberg (one snap) and posted PFF grades of 80.3 in pass blocking (he did not surrender a single pressure or hurry according to PFF) and 61.0 overall, picking up a false start as well. Center Connor Williams was accorded a 77.7 PFF grade in run blocking, but had another rough outing snapping the ball and was whistled for a key holding penalty. Right guard Robert Hunt earned a 72.8 grade from PFF, while right tackle Austin Jackson was assigned a 53.9 grade by the service. Overall, the line held up well in pass protection against the likes of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack to avoid giving up a sack, though the holes were few and far between in the running game.

Defense

• Like Miami, the Chargers picked up 30 first downs, managing to convert nine of 15 third downs and misfiring on their lone fourth-down attempt. A dominant running game accounted for 234 yards on 5.9 yards per carry, allowing Los Angeles to win the time of possession (32.41 to 27:19) and rack up 433 yards of offense. The Chargers converted four of five red-zone visits into touchdowns and did not commit a turnover against a Dolphins "D" that blitzed just seven times. Though Los Angeles balanced the run game and short passing game effectively, Miami's front four closed out the game with consistent pressure on the final drive, sacking Justin Herbert twice in a row to end the contest.
• Along the defensive line, Christian Wilkins (68 snaps) and Zach Sieler (65) saw their customary heavy workload, with Wilkins recording three tackles and Sieler adding four stops, three solo tackles, a sack, a stop for a loss, and a quarterback hit for a 65.0 PFF grade. At the nose, Raekwon Davis struggled in his 46 snaps (50.1 PFF grade), notching a single assisted tackle, while Emmanuel Ogbah had a forgettable return to action, struggling to hold the edge and assisting on one stop for a dismal 29.5 PFF grade. While the late-game pressure ended up being the difference, this unit bears responsibility for the Chargers' overpowering performance on the ground.
• At outside linebacker, Jaelan Phillips (73 snaps) and Bradley Chubb (71) proved to be a formidable duo, with Phillips earning a 66.8 PFF grade after registering 11 tackles, six solo stops, half a sack, seven hurries, and two quarterback hits. Chubb posted four tackles, two solos, and a stop for loss to earn a 46.6 PFF pass-rushing grade, but there was conjecture that he and Phillips were largely being asked to pursue a containment policy. Also, pure pass-rushing opportunities were scarce due to LA's run game.
• The struggles were legion at inside linebacker, with prospective starters Jerome Baker (38.9 PFF grade in 81 snaps) and David Long (39.7 PFF grade in just 17 snaps) earning two of the worst three PFF grades on defense. Baker had six tackles and four solo stops, while Long added a single solo tackle. Making the transition to the inside, Andrew Van Ginkel saw a surprising 51 snaps, picking up a 63.3 PFF grade after recording five tackles and four solo stops. Duke Riley had a solo tackle on his lone snap of the game. The usage comparison between Long and Van Ginkel will bear watching in coming weeks, but the reality is that the linebackers struggled mightily in run fits and were victimized a lot in the passing game as well. 
• At cornerback, both Kader Kohou and Xavien Howard played 79 snaps, with disparate results. Kohou earned a 72.6 PFF grade after collecting nine tackles, six solo stops, a sack, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit, though he was called for offsides at one point. Howard was targeted repeatedly by both Herbert and the refs, tallying six tackles, five solo stops, a pass breakup, and three flags (two pass interference and one illegal contact) to earn a 48.3 PFF grade. Veteran Eli Apple was solid in his 60 snaps, picking up three tackles and two solo stops. The unit obviously misses Jalen Ramsey, but the continued struggles of "X" despite a new defense is cause for major concern.
• Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott were paired for 81 snaps at the safety spots, with Holland earning a team-high 86.4 PFF grade after 14 tackles, 10 solo stops, and one tackle for loss. Elliott added 13 tackles, including eight solo stops, while Justin Bethel made the most of his nine snaps, recording four tackles, three solo stops, a quarterback hit, and half a sack on Miami's final defensive snap. In his return from injury, Brandon Jones saw two snaps. The safety rotation will be interesting to follow as Jones and Ramsey both work their way back from injury.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders's stellar day (three for three on field goals with a long of 45 and three for three on extra points and touchbacks on every kickoff) was ruined when he missed a crucial point following the Dolphins' final score of the day. Miami faded the mistake, but nearly all of Sanders's kicks tended to drift right, which bears monitoring.
• In his 'Fins debut, Jake Bailey punted a single time for 38 yards.
• The game also featured no punt or kickoff returns despite 14 kickoffs and four punts. Welcome to football in 2023.
• Riley and Kelvin Joseph led defensive players with 24 special-teams snaps apiece, with rookie Cam Smith adding 23 snaps in the third phase despite no reps from scrimmage. Ahmed led offensive players with 17 special-teams snaps, with Smythe contributing 15 in a category he routinely led a season ago.

Momentum plays

• Overcoming a first-play fumbled snap, Miami got rolling with 16- and 35-yard strikes to Hill and Waddle, respectively. Ezukanma took an end-around all the way to LA's 2-yard line, but another fumbled snap gave the ball to the Chargers at the 6-yard line to ruin a golden red-zone opportunity.
• Los Angeles immediately embarked on what would be a 14-play, 96-yard drive, converting three third downs and using a single completed pass (36 yards to Keenan Allen). Austin Ekeler powered across on 3rd & goal to stake the Chargers to a 7-0 lead.
• Miami responded quickly, with Tua finding Cracraft for 24 yards and using a third-down facemask call to set up a short Mostert (four carries for 31 yards on the drive) touchdown run to tie it at 7.
• After the 'Fins forced a three-and-out, Tua found Hill for 29 and 28 yards on back-to-back plays. After a Hill catch at the goal line was overturned on replay, Miami had to settle for a 23-yard Sanders field goal for a 10-7 advantage.
• A 55-yard jaunt by Ekeler sparked an LA drive that culminated in a short touchdown toss to Donald Parham for a 14-10 Chargers lead.
• The teams exchanged rare three-and-outs before Tua found Smythe for 18 and 16 yards. Miami converted a 4th & 7 when Tua found Smythe for 10 more yards, then a Hill 19-yarder set the 'Fins up deep in Los Angeles territory. Two more Hill connections made it a 1st & goal from the 1-yard line, and Tua found Cracraft (Smythe was also wide open) for the score and the 17-14 edge.
• Herbert found Allen for nine yards to convert a 3rd & 6, then hit Parham for 15 more. Third-down pressure from Phillips and Chubb forced a 50-yard field goal and a 17-all tie, with Mike McDaniel adeptly using a timeout to ensure Miami got a final first-half possession.
• The coaching move paid off when Tua hit Waddle for 22 yards on a back-foot pass, then Ezukanma drew a 30-yard pass-interference flag with no time remaining on the clock. Sanders drilled a 41-yard field goal to send the 'Fins into the locker room with a 20-17 advantage.
• On a demoralizing 11-play drive that saw the Chargers cover 75 yards without a completed pass, LA pounded Miami on the ground and used a pair of pass-interference calls on Howard to set up a Herbert 1-yard plunge and a 24-20 lead.
• A promising Dolphins drive -- propelled by a 30-yard strike to Hill and a 13-yarder to Waddle -- ended when Tua was picked off in the end zone when J.C. Jackson appeared to get away with pass interference to intercept a ball intended for Berrios.
• An ill-advised pick return and a three-and-out punctuated by a third-down sack by a blitzing Kohou set Miami up at the Chargers' 35-yard line. Tua needed only a single play to find a streaking Hill down the right sideline for a touchdown and a 27-24 advantage.
• Two plays later, Ekeler was left uncovered and streaked 35 yards after a short pass. A series of short passes and runs set up Joshua Kelley for a two-yard plunge to once again give LA the lead, 31-27.
• Tua converted a 3rd & 15 with a stellar throw on the run to find Berrios along the sideline for 16 yards. The signal-caller then found Ingold for 19 and Berrios for 15 more (upheld on replay challenge). Miami had to settle for a 45-yard Sanders field goal and a 31-30 deficit after not being able to overcome a first-down pass to Hill that lost five yards.
• Los Angeles responded yet again, putting together a 13-play, 68-yard drive that featured a 3rd & 12 conversion when Herbert found Mike Williams for 24 yards. The Dolphin D stiffened inside the 10-yard line, however, forcing a 25-yard field goal to extend the Chargers' lead to 34-30.
• With less than 4 minutes remaining, the 'Fins withstood a near fumble on an Ahmed catch that was ruled incomplete, setting up Tua to convert a 3rd & 10 with maybe the best throw of his career. Climbing the pocket to avoid Mack pressure, the quarterback showed both mobility and arm strength by throwing a seed to a streaking Hill for 47 yards. A 15-yarder to Cracraft set up 1st & goal, and on a key third-down play, Tua somehow completed a TD fade to Hill on a ball that appeared to go through the cornerback's body. However, Sanders pushed his extra point right to make it 36-34, giving LA an opening to win on a field goal.
• Herbert started the ensuing drive with a 10-yard sideline strike to Gerald Everett, but Fangio rolled out a blitz package at that point. Pressure caused an intentional grounding to force a 2nd & 21, with Sieler bursting in for a sack partially caused by Phillips pressure. On 3rd & 30, Chubb appeared to be held without a call, allowing Herbert to find Williams for 17. On 4th & 13, Bethel came on a blitz and met Phillips at the quarterback, delivering a big hit on Herbert and giving the Dolphins the ball on downs.
• Two kneeldowns salted away an impressive opening-day road victory for Miami.

2023 Schedule

Miami 36, Los Angeles 34 (1-0)