Miami Dolphins: 10 observations from Week 14 loss vs. Chargers
Miami Dolphins: 10 observations from Week 14 loss
8. Tua was…better… I think
Tua Tagovailoa was clearly off-target in the game against the 49ers in Week 13, and his numbers would suggest that that carried over into the game against Los Angeles. And while he did have a couple of balls that could have had better placement, his accuracy was overall improved this last week, but excellent play from Chargers’ defensive backs and mistakes by Dolphins’ receivers doomed him.
Asante Samuel Jr. and company made life hell for Waddle, Hill, and the rest of the bunch by covering them like blankets throughout the game, making big play after big play and shutting down any potential momentum that the Dolphins looked to build. The times that they did get open, they apparently lost the ball in the sun? Indoors?
9. Tyreek Hill is worth every penny
His contract is gaudy, and it will balloon more and more by the year if his contract goes un-restructured, but Tyreek Hill is worth every damn penny.
Despite all the surrounding hype, Miami’s offense has been constipated at certain times this season, leaving us with the hopeless feelings of the Philbin or Gase days. But the Dolphins can almost always count on Tyreek Hill to provide some sort of explosive play to keep them in the game and in the scoring column.
It has happened the last couple of weeks, with Hill scoring a huge touchdown against the 49ers in the 2nd half and again with his miraculous scoop-and-score on a fumble recovery against the Chargers. That wasn’t all, though, as he also beat Los Angeles’ defense for another score in the second half to keep Miami in the game.
When in doubt, Tyreek.
10. Two gifts slipped away late
The Dolphins needed a mini-miracle to be able to complete their unlikely comeback in the final three minutes, and there were two instances in which the Chargers almost “Chargered” and gave the game away to Miami.
With just over four minutes left and the Chargers at the Miami 6-yard line and threatening to put the game away by taking a 13+ point lead, Justin Herbert did the one thing the Dolphins needed most: he fumbled the snap. Los Angeles was lucky that no defenders saw it until it was too late and Herbert had already dived for the ball.
Luck almost bounced Miami’s way again on the onside kick in the waning seconds that was bobbled by the Charger’s hands team. It looked as though the Dolphins would have a chance at the bottom of the scrum, but Los Angeles came away with the football, and the victory.