The Dolphins welcome the L.A. Chargers to Hard Rock Stadium Sunday for a Week 6 showdown between a pair of familiar foes.
The last two games between the Dolphins and Chargers were contested in Los Angeles with either side scoring one win each. The Dolphins prevailed in 2023 behind 466 yards and three passing touchdowns from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Chargers were victorious in the 2022 meeting with quarterback Justin Herbert throwing 51 passes for 367 yards.
"The threat of arm and legs, I think he's a competitor, I think he keeps getting better and he's someone that the opposing team is in charge of minimizing his production," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said of Herbert.
Tagovailoa and Herbert were selected fifth and sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. They squared off in their rookie campaigns with the Dolphins earning the victory in Miami. The fourth meeting between these signal callers is a big spot for both teams as the Chargers are on a two-game losing streak and the Dolphins are off to a 1-4 start despite success on third down.
Both quarterbacks have led their respective offenses to rank among the top five on third downs this season. The Dolphins are converting 46.7 percent of their third-down plays, which is the second-best mark in the NFL, while the Chargers are fourth at 46.4 percent.
Those rankings are impressive considering the injuries either offense has endured. The right side of the Dolphins starting offensive line suffered injuries early in the season while the Chargers could be without a larger percentage of their front five this week.
Tackle Rashawn Slater was placed on injured reserve in August and former fifth-overall pick Joe Alt missed Week 5 with a high ankle sprain and has been ruled out against Miami. Fill-in tackle Trey Pipkins II and right guard Mekhi Becton both left Sunday's loss to the Commanders and did not return. Pipkins II will not be available on Sunday against Miami.
In addition to the offensive line absences, the Bolts will be without their top two running backs, Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, who were both placed on injured reserve.
Miami will look to shore up their run defense after the Panthers ran for 239 yards on Sunday's 27-24 loss at Carolina.
The Chargers offer plenty in the passing game as well. The combination of wide receivers Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey and Quinton Johnston have produced all eight receiving touchdowns and 879 of the 1,273 passing yards the Chargers have produced this year.
"Their skill particularly at receiver is dynamic," Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver said. "McConkey is one of the best receivers in the game. Probably under-appreciated, really. Change of direction, can stop on a dime, can run every route, has speed. And then the No. 1 Quinton Johnston, God dog, you take the top off. You see him run, he runs like a deer. We've certainly got our hands full with these matchups, but I expect our guys to respond, particularly after last week."
On the other side of the ball, Miami will face a Chargers defense that ranks seventh in the NFL, allowing 293.8 yards per game, and sixth in scoring with 19.6 points allowed per game.
The Dolphins showcased a trio of their own playmakers in the first game without Tyreek Hill. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has played two games in the last four seasons without Hill on the field. In those games, Waddle has 240 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"'J. Dub' (Jaylen Waddle) has been the same, whether he's the guy that's getting the most attention, whether he's not the guy getting the most attention," Tagovailoa said. "He's been the same with the way his game is, with the way he attacks his game and then his attention to details."
Meanwhile, tight end Darren Waller and running back De'Von Achane both caught touchdowns from Tagovailoa last Sunday. It was Tagovailoa's fourth-consecutive game with multiple touchdown passes. He is currently tied with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for the longest-active streak of games with multiple touchdown passes.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
