Miami Dolphins win in San Diego!
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins ended a long drought on the West coast with a major victory against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Improving their record to over .500 for the first time this season.
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The Dolphins played a tough game that seesawed back and forth most of the game but in the end, the Dolphins may have finally proved that they are not the lifeless team that they have been for the last four years. When the game was on the line, the defense stepped up.
Miami faced a lot of obstacles in the game as the lead changed four times before the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The Dolphins managed to dodge bullet after bullet. With a 4th quarter lead, Dolphins return man Jakeem Grant muffed a punt on his own five yard line giving the Chargers an excellent opportunity to take the lead. But it was the Dolphins defense that stood their ground.
San Diego failed on their first two attempts and then Tony Lippett intercepted Phillip Rivers to end the drive. The Chargers however were not done. With help from the Dolphins defense, the Chargers would take the lead.
Miami gave the Chargers eight first downs on penalties with four of them coming in the late third to fourth quarter. When they were not giving up firsts on penalties, they were leaving receivers wide open. Including a 51 yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Williams with just over 4:00 minutes left in the game. Miami however stepped up.
Ryan Tannehill connected with DeVante Parker on first down for 56 yards and 15 yards were added at the end for roughing the passer. Miami was unable to make it a four point game and settled for a field goal that tied it late. Phillip Rivers would have almost 3:00 minutes to give the Chargers the lead.
The Dolphins defense had been penalized series after series but in the final 13:00 minutes of the game, intercepted Rivers four times. Tony Lippett started the run with the third and goal pick and Byron Maxwell added one on the next series.
The game turned around to Miami when a Rivers’ pass was undercut by linebacker Kiko Alonso who took the ball 60 yards for a pick-6 putting the Dolphins up with just under 1:00 31-24. The game however was surely not over.
Not until Tony Lippett intercepted Rivers for the 4th time of the 4th quarter to put the game away.
Miami held the hot footed Melvin Gordon to 70 yards on 24 carries but allowed him to gain 62 yards on five receptions. The 4th ranked Charger defense stymied the Dolphins running game in the first half but Jay Ajayi managed 79 yards on 19 carries.
DeVante Parker finished the game with over 100 yards and two deep passes negated by penalties. Finally emerging from his slumber. On the day Ryan Tannehill finished with 240 yards on 17 completions with two very impressive touchdown passes. One to Kenny Stills and another to Damien Williams. His most impressive play however was an 18 yard run on 3rd and long that put Miami in position to score. Three plays later he hit Williams for an 18 yard touchdown.
The Dolphins move to 5-4 one game above .500 for the first time this season and will play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Dolphins showed a lot of fight and did not quit to earn their fourth victory in a row.