After winning last week in a thriller against the Cardinals, the Dolphins improved to 5-3 and now prepare to take on the Chargers, lead by rookie Justin Herbert. The Dolphins are looking to win their fifth straight game. Tua who is undefeated as an NFL starter, looks to win his third straight game. The Chargers on the other hand are just looking to win their third game this season. The Chargers have been one of the most unlucky teams this year. They have lost six games and are in a tough position. However, they have put up a fight as they haven’t lost a single game by more than 7 points. Lets take a look at both teams going into this matchup and see who will win.
Injury Report
The Dolphins have three questionable for this week against the Chargers, RB Matt Breida, CB Jamal Perry, and TE Durham Smythe. Matt Breida is suffering from an ailing hamstring that made him sit out last weeks game against the Cardinals. However, there is optimism for his return as he has returned to practice in recent days. If active on Sunday, Breida will serve as the Dolphins lead back. The other two are out with a foot injury and a concussion. Preston Williams is out after being placed on the IR with a footsprain. Williams had 4 receptions for 60 yards and injured himself on a touchdown last week against Arizona. Christian Wilkins and Kyle Van Noy, two key defenders for the Dolphins will also be out after being placed on the Covid-19 list. The Chargers will play without DE Joey Bosa and RB Justin Jackson who are both ruled out on Sunday. The Chargers also will have a few players questionable for Sunday. With Jackson out, Kalen Ballage will look to build on an impressive Chargers debut. Ballage, a third-round pick of the Dolphins in 2018, ran for 69 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in last Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas.
Dolphins Fight For The Playoffs
At 5-3 the Dolphins are bound for a winning season this year. This is the first time the Dolphins are above .500 through the first 8 games of a season since 2014. This is a major turn around from last year were they were 1-7 at this point of the season. The key to all of this has mostly been the Dolphins defense which has giving up only 20.1 points per game this season. This puts them fifth best which is a big improvement from last year when they gave up 30. 9 points per game which was the worst in the NFL. The Dolphins remaining schedule after the Chargers includes the Broncos, the Jets, the Bengals, the Chiefs, the Pats, the Raiders, and the Bills. Reasonably, this could put the Dolphins in the playoffs. Their only competition is really the Bills, and the Chiefs. The Raiders and Chargers will make it close though. As of now, the Dolphins are tied with the Raiders and Browns for the seventh seed, but it is likely to spread out as the Browns are headed downhill. The Dolphins will likely finish 10-6 and make the playoffs in the seventh seed. However, they will hit a brick wall in the playoffs when they face, the Chiefs, Steelers or Ravens.
Author’s Prediction
With the odds favoring the Dolphins by 2 and 1/2 the Fins will win. It won’t be a huge win but it will be a solid victory. Expect the Dolphins Defense to slow the Chargers down and play hard. The Dolphins offense should also put up a show as they face the slow LA Defense that will miss Joey Bosa. The Chargers would need their defense to hold Miami and their offense to make plays when needed. Most likely the Dolphins will roll over the Chargers but this will be a good game to watch. The big headline should be Tua and Herbert facing off. The Dolphins could have gone with Herbert with the 5th pick in the draft. Hopefully this game will prove that the Dolphins made the right choice in selecting Tua.
Final Score: Chargers 21 Dolphins 34