Tag: Chargers Dolphins

Film room: Breaking down Chargers’ dominant run game vs. Dolphins

Dissecting one of the best overall team rushing performances in team history.

While it may not have been the 1-0 start the Chargers were hoping for, Los Angeles had one of the best overall team rushing performances in team history. In fact, their 66.7% success rate is tied for the seventh-best rushing performance in the league over the past decade.

How did offensive coordinator Kellen Moore scheme it up?

Brandon Staley on scratching Isaiah Spiller for Elijah Dotson: ‘We just felt like he would be the best guy’

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller was inactive on Sunday in a rather surprising turn of events.

Before the game on Sunday, Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller was listed as inactive in a somewhat surprising turn of events.

Spiller had competed with Joshua Kelley for reps behind Austin Ekeler throughout the offseason. Undrafted rookie Elijah Dotson got the nod over the former fourth-round draft pick.

Head coach Brandon Staley put it relatively shortly at his Monday presser on why they made the move:

We just felt like he would be the best guy that would give us the best chance to beat the Dolphins.

While Staley didn’t expand much on the teams’ internal thought process, it feels like special teams had to be considered. Dotson factored in as the teams’ backup returner for stretches of the preseason behind wide receiver Derius Davis. If anything happened to Davis, it seems like the team valued Dotson’s ability to step in more than Spiller being the third or fourth back in the rotation.

Last year, special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken played Larry Rountree over Spiller for similar reasons. In a full running back room, Spiller’s special teams limitations have him drawing the short end of the stick.

Ekeler’s ankle injury will be something to monitor throughout the week. As of now, it’s too early to make any game projections without proper practice status reports. If Ekeler does sit out, Spiller would likely make his regular-season debut. If the former Western Colorado product is available, it will be a matter of what the team wants more against the Titans. Do they value the extra special teams support or another body in the running back room?

Assuming for a second that Ekeler is unavailable, it would be intriguing to see who has more of a role in the offense between the two backs above. Spiller has been in the system for longer, but Dotson did have highlight-level speed and burst in the preseason. It’s more food for thought for Kellen Moore’s run game as the Chargers enter Week 2.

Everything to know from Chargers’ loss to Dolphins in Week 1

To recap the Chargers’ loss to the Dolphins, here is everything you need to know.

The Chargers opened up the season in a wire-to-wire affair with the Dolphins, resulting in a 36-34 loss.

To recap Week 1, here is everything you need to know:

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ loss, horrible defensive performance vs. Dolphins

The internet did not hold back on the Chargers’ loss to the Dolphins.

In a high-scoring affair with the Dolphins, the Chargers kept it close throughout. But in the end, Miami’s offense was too overpowering for Los Angeles.

Here’s how the internet reacted to the loss, which was highlighted by Brandon Staley shouldering the blame for the outcome.

Highlight: Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu makes first big play vs. Dolphins

The Chargers’ second-round pick made a great play against the run.

There’s a reason the Chargers selected USC edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round this April.

That reason: run defense. Tuipulotu is a gifted pass rusher, but he adds much more bulk in the run game, where LA struggled mightily a year ago.

In the third quarter, that theory began to translate. Tuipulotu split two Dolphins blockers and met Miami running back Salvon Ahmed in the backfield. In a welcome change for a Chargers defender, Tuipulotu secured the tackle and wrestled Ahmed to the ground for a loss of two, his first TFL of his NFL career.

Highlight: Austin Ekeler scores Chargers’ first touchdown of season vs. Dolphins

Austin Ekeler got the Chargers on the scoreboard first.

Some things never change.

Even with the prolonged contract dispute this offseason, featuring trade rumors and ending with a lack of contract extension, Austin Ekeler is a key cog of the Chargers offense.

There was perhaps nothing more evident of this than LA’s first drive, on which they gave their running back five carries that generated 22 yards and a one-yard touchdown to open the scoring for the Chargers.

The plunge put LA up 7-0 on the Dolphins.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Dolphins in Week 1

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Miami.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:25 p.m. PT.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

As the Chargers attempt to finally dethrone the Chiefs as divisional champs, every game is vital, and Week 1 provides a tough challenge against a Dolphins team that will look to make it back in the playoffs. Los Angeles downed Miami last year  with a dominant defensive performance. The only thing that’s different this year is they have more reinforcements, as they return J.C. Jackson, Joey Bosa and Austin Johnson. The unit will challenge Tua Tagovailoa to make some difficult throws. And I expect the Bolts’ offense to be as electric as it’s been under Kellen Moore.

Chargers 24, Dolphins 17

Alex K:

Last year’s game finished 23-17 between these two teams, with the Chargers coming out on top behind their best defensive performance of the season. Both teams have shown improved offenses in the preseason, however. The Dolphins have the ever-dangerous duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but Brandon Staley’s defense will force Tua Tagovailoa to make throws outside the numbers, where he’s historically struggled. Without Jalen Ramsey, Nik Needham, and Keion Crossen, Miami will have either rookie Cam Smith or second-year pro Kader Kohou matched up with Keenan Allen or Mike Williams.

Chargers 27, Dolphins 20

Juliette:

I’m predicting a decently high scoring game this Sunday, coming in with a 28-21 final score with the Chargers taking the win. The Chargers proved themselves against the Dolphins in the 2022 season while missing key starters on all sides of the ball, yet they managed to keep up with Miami’s flashy offense and shut down QB Tua Tagovailoa for an entire half. The Chargers are starting off the season with an incredibly healthy group, which bodes well against the Dolphins who are struggling with a few injuries. Edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa should be able to apply pressure pretty easily with OL Terron Armstead out for the Dolphins, and Miami’s cornerback room will struggle against the four healthy, big wide receivers that the Chargers will be rotating throughout the game. This will also be the first time that the league gets to see QB Justin Herbert in Kellen Moore’s new offense, which is nearly guaranteed to be more explosive and exciting than the scheme we saw in 2022.

Alex I:

Ultimately, I think this ends up being a close one, much like last year’s game. What it comes down to for me is that Brandon Staley’s gameplan from that matchup feels replicable. The Chargers will be able to get consistent pressure on Tua Tagovailoa as Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa face this Miami line sans Terron Armstead. I’d also be surprised if Miami was able to establish a good running game in this one given the circumstances.

The Chargers have Michael Davis on the outside to keep Tyreek Hill (relatively) in check. In the secondary they have more optionality than they had in the matchup last year with J.C. Jackson’s return. As we sit here pregame, I’m just not sure what actually gets in the way of the Chargers using largely the same defensive plan as last year to stifle the Dolphins’ offense.

On the other side of the ball, LA is as healthy as they’re going to be all year on offense. Jalen Ramsey’s absence looms for Miami in this one and it creates a rather big matchup advantage for the Chargers’ wideouts.

Chargers 26, Dolphins 23

Chargers’ final injury report ahead of matchup vs. Dolphins

The Chargers have two players listed as doubtful for Sunday’s contest against the Dolphins.

The Chargers had their final practice on Friday before the Week 1 matchup with the Dolphins.

Los Angeles will likely be without linebacker Daiyan Henley and edge defender Chris Rumph II, who are both doubtful.

They’re both dealing with hamstring injuries. Henley sustained his in the preseason finale against the 49ers, while Rumph injured his in practice on Wednesday.

With Rumph out, rookie Tuli Tuipulotu should see an uptick in snaps as a rotational piece. L.A. will likely call up an edge defender from the practice squad to fill Rumph’s void, like Andrew Farmer.

For the Dolphins, tackle Terron Armstead and defensive back Elijah Campbell are out. Cornerback Justin Bethel and tight end Julian Hill are questionable.

Chargers’ causes for concern vs. Dolphins

Reasons why the Dolphins could beat the Chargers in Week 1.

The Chargers open their season on Sunday with a showdown between Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, two of the top three quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL draft.

While Herbert got the better of Tagovailoa’s Dolphins last season, there are reasons to be concerned Miami fires back this weekend.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Dolphins

Here’s why Chargers fans should be optimistic about starting the season with a 1-0 start.

The Chargers open their regular season at long last on Sunday with a home game against the Dolphins, another of the AFC’s playoff contenders.

Here’s why Bolt fans should be optimistic about a 1-0 start.