The Dolphins and the Chargers meet on Sunday Night football after the Broncos and Chiefs got flexed out.
Both teams have the standings on their mind, as a win here could significantly help both teams. Below we have a matchup analysis along with my Dolphins vs Chargers best bets.
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Matchup Information
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
- Matchup Time: 8:30 ET
- How to Watch: TV & Streaming
- Where to Watch: NBC & Peacock
Miami Dolphins Analysis
Offense
The Miami Dolphins offense has been stellar this year. On the season, they’re averaging 380.2 yards a game which is the 4th highest in the league.
They also are scoring 24.9 points a game on average, which puts them 8th when looking at NFL team stats.
Most of the success comes through the air, which is a boom-or-bust way of playing, as they need consistent big plays to maintain drives and or score.
If a drive fails to find a big play, the Dolphins end up in 3rd and long, leading to their current 38.69% 3rd down conversion rate, which is in the bottom half of the league.
Tua’s High Level
Tua will have to play at a high level if the Dolphins have any shot of making a long run in the playoffs.
his week will be a great test to see if he can get back into rhythm after a hard game against the 49ers. Though he is listed as questionable on the NFL injury report, he is expected to play.
Defense
The Miami Dolphins stats on defense, however, is a completely different beast. They are currently allowing 24.1 points per game and 344 yards per game.
Even just last week, they made Brock Purdy look like a stud out there as he threw for 25 of 37 for 210 yards, 2 TDs, and a lone INT.
Not the performance that Mr. Irrelevant should be having against you if you have any postseason aspirations.
Los Angeles Chargers Analysis
Offense
The Chargers are having a fairly mediocre season on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 14th in points per game, 13th in yards per game, and 15th in TDs per game.
That last category is especially frustrating, given that the lack of output isn’t due to a lack of opportunities but rather the fact that they’re scoring TDs on only 50% of their trips to the red zone.
Chargers’ Run Game
The Charger’s run game is also nonexistent, which leaves a ton of pressure on their young QB Justin Herbert to find a way to put points on the board.
Justin Herbert is a good QB and is putting up good NFL player stats for someone as young as he is. This year he has thrown for 3,339 yards and 20 INTs but also has 7 INTs which is a sign of a little youth.
Throw in the fact he was playing the early part of the Los Angeles Chargers schedule injured, and you can find some justifications for the turnovers.
Regardless Herbert can’t carry this offense by himself like he is being asked to, and that spells trouble for the Chargers.
Defense
The Los Angeles Chargers are abysmal, currently giving up the 3rd most points per game of any team in the NFL. Throw in the 7th worst yards allowed stat, and you can start to see the issues with this Chargers team.
This team lets opposing offenses dominate them, allowing 5.4 yards a rush. The Chargers defense is holding a good offense back, and unfortunately, this is going to cost the Chargers their 2022 campaign.
NFL Stats and Standings
The Dolphins are still fighting for 1st place, not just in the AFC East but also in the AFC as a whole, currently sitting at an 8-4 record and a single game removed from Buffalo in first.
The Dolphins will face the Chargers, who are a little lower in the NFL standings at 6-6 and 2nd place in the AFC West though 1st is unobtainable.
The Chargers are going to have to give a solid performance for the rest of the NFL schedule and hope that the New York Jets stumble for the Chargers to have any chance at making the playoffs.
Most Remarkable Player for this Matchup
Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
Don’t expect the injury to set him back too much. I expect Tua to bounce back against a horrific defense after his disappointing outing last week.
Raheem Mostert (RB)
Expect him to crush any low lines for rushing yards. He will be able to get a few big plays in the few touches he gets against this defense.
Tyreek Hill (WR)
I hate to keep dogging on this defense, but there’s no way in my mind that Tyreek doesn’t end up getting a TD in this one. Hill TD is one of my Dolphins vs Chargers best bets.
NFL Pick: Dolphins -3 (-120)
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