In the Chargers’ season opener, they faced a challenging test as they unveiled a new offensive era under coordinator Kellen Moore. Unfortunately, their offense’s promising start couldn’t mask lingering defensive issues under head coach Brandon Staley, leading to a thrilling 36-34 victory for the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium.
Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa shone brightly, throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill accounting for 215 yards and two scores on 11 receptions. Despite the Dolphins’ offensive fireworks, they found themselves down 34-30 late in the fourth quarter.
Crucially, the Chargers’ defense capitalized on turnovers twice in their territory, keeping points off the board. But when it mattered most, Tyreek Hill delivered for the Dolphins, securing the go-ahead score with 1:45 left on the clock.
Tyreek Hill caught 6 of 8 targets over 10 air yards for 188 yards, the 6th-most in a game since 2018.
Hill accounts for 3 of the top 6 single-game yards on 10+ air yards targets since 2018.#MIAvsLAC | #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/YgtrI8zTMC
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 11, 2023
In Moore’s debut as the Chargers’ playcaller, their offense rushed for an impressive 234 yards and picked up 30 first downs. However, despite their offensive production, they couldn’t secure the win.
The Chargers held a brief lead in the second half when Justin Herbert scored from one yard out after a 75-yard drive. Still, the Dolphins quickly answered, with J.C. Jackson intercepting Tagovailoa in the end zone on a deep pass.
In a significant contrast to their previous meeting in December, the Dolphins dominated this matchup, exploiting weaknesses in Staley’s defense. By halftime, Hill had already accumulated 104 receiving yards, and Tagovailoa boasted 264 passing yards.
The Chargers’ offense demonstrated its running prowess, capitalizing on a fortunate turnover when Tagovailoa mishandled a snap, resulting in a touchdown for Austin Ekeler.
Despite their defensive struggles, the Chargers’ offense showed promise under Moore, who was expected to inject explosiveness and creativity into their playbook.
In the end, Jason Sanders’ missed extra point offered the Chargers a shot at victory with a field goal. However, Justin Herbert’s intentional grounding penalty and subsequent sack dashed their hopes, sealing the Dolphins’ comeback win.
Herbert finished with 228 passing yards and a touchdown, while Keenan Allen had 76 receiving yards. Austin Ekeler contributed 164 total yards from scrimmage, and Joshua Kelley added another dimension to the running game.
A critical mistake late in the first half, with just two seconds left, cost the Chargers as J.C. Jackson committed defensive pass interference, granting Miami an untimed down, leading to a field goal and a halftime lead.
Ultimately, the Chargers lost the game by a slim two-point margin, highlighting their offensive potential under Moore but underscoring the persistent defensive challenges they face under Staley.
