Keys to a Miami Dolphins Victory vs The Chargers

While many have already given up on the season, there is still football to be played. In fact, the 2016 Dolphins made the playoffs after starting 1-4 back when there were only 16 games in a season.

Now, no, I’m not saying that’s likely. But the Miami Dolphins are going to trot onto the field each and every week with that belief, because that’s what athletes do, they have that will to win, no matter what everyone else has to say.

The last time the Miami Dolphins played the Chargers, Tua Tagovailoa was incredible, going 28-of-45 for 466 yards, three touchdowns (and one interception), capped off by a game-winning drive.

Watch that game’s highlights here!

This time around, both teams look a little different. Both are dealing with struggling offensive lines, and both quarterbacks still have plenty to prove in this league. With all that said, here are the Miami Dolphins’ keys to victory.

The Front Seven’s Best Opportunity to Shine

Last week was embarrassing, a blown lead and complete domination on the ground. This week, Miami’s supposed strongest unit has to play like it.

The front seven has been exposed in the running game, failed to generate consistent pressure, and missed tackles and gap assignments across the board. But the Chargers will be without Joe Alt, are allowing 3.4 sacks per game, and may be rolling out an offensive line that rivals the Dolphins for the league’s worst.

If there were ever a time for this group to wake up, it’s now. Miami’s defensive front needs to generate 4+ sacks and allow fewer than 4.0 yards per carry for the Dolphins to have a real chance.

Time for Tua to Change the Narrative

Last week, Tua played nearly perfect football and still took the blame because he “had a shot.” Yes, he missed an open Waddle and came up short on the final drive, but that’s an unfair judgment for a quarterback who put his team up 17-0, got just 19 yards of rushing support, and was sacked three times.

Still, that’s life in the NFL. Quarterbacks don’t get excuses, especially when their name is Tua Tagovailoa.

He finished 27-of-36 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including a beautiful go-ahead strike to Waddle. It wasn’t enough. So this week, Tua must not only outplay the quarterback he was drafted ahead of, Justin Herbert, but summon that same fire from the 2023 matchup.

If he doesn’t respond and outplay Herbert, this season will be all but over.

Play With Pride

Nobody in the locker room is happy, not with the results, not with the narratives, not with the attention. But only they can change it.

The Dolphins must come out with an intensity they’ve yet to show this season. They need to play cohesively, play with something to prove, and do it for all 60 minutes, not just when it feels easy.

Beating the Chargers isn’t impossible. Los Angeles has faltered two weeks in a row, first to the Giants, then to the Commanders. Now, the stumbling Dolphins have their chance to get back on their feet.

Getting a rushing attack going this week would surely help Tua and the offense, especially in maintaining leads. But more than anything, I’d like to see the Dolphins simplify the offense and let Tua find his playmakers, don’t get cute.

For Miami, this is truly their final chance to save the season.