Intriguing Game– NFL, Week 14
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins: They were punched in the mouth on Sunday and there’s no other way around it but honestly, that’s expected to happen when you play the 49ers and that’s exactly why they have the number one defense in the league and they showed it. Despite that, this has been a mentally and physically tough team and, they’ve done such a great job responding to new Head Coach, Mike McDaniel. I know there was some uncertainty about Tua Tagovailoa when he was drafted, but he has a strong future ahead of him and the Dolphins have put him in a nice position to succeed. This is exactly what teams must do with the young Quarterback and throughout the year, I’ve mentioned this. Miami hiring Mike was also a genius move because he’s an offensive minded guy that can continue to help Tua develop. No disrespect, but I didn’t see Brian Flores doing that for him. The Dolphins are in a good spot right now. They’ve been in a groove since Tua came back from that horrific injury, Tyreek Hill is having the best season of his career and the defense is a fast and physical group that can turn teams into a one-dimensional team. They can make a bit of noise come playoff time if you ask me. Last week, I said there were two teams I wouldn’t want to play come January. The 49ers were one and the Dolphins were the other. They’ll continue their stay in California with a showdown in Inglewood on Sunday night.
Chargers: It hasn’t been the year many expected of them. This was supposed to be a group of many that contended for a division title and to reach the Super Bowl. I know I’ve been hard on them for most of the year because I’ve been known to say they aren’t mentally strong for that big moment, and I still stand by that because they aren’t. Injuries have also hurt them, and we all know being healthy makes an immense difference. Keenan Allen has been in and out with injuries as has the other Wide Receiver, Mike Williams and those two make all the difference in the world when they’re both healthy, especially Mike because he’s become Justin Herbert’s go to target. Losing J.C. Jackson was another blow because he was bought in to defend the opposition’s top target and he was lost for the year in October with a leg injury. Everyone has been making note of Justin Herbert’s struggles this year which I understand, but let’s be realistic here for a second. Who has he been able to feed the football too on a consistent basis? It’s tough being a young Quarterback without your top targets on the field. In a game that the Chargers lost in Vegas this past weekend, Justin had his best game of the season. He threw for 335 yards which was his first 300-yard passing game since week four in Houston, averaging seven yards per pass and most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough because the defense once again struggled to stop the Raiders. Here’s another interesting fact about them. Four of their six losses have been by seven points or fewer so that means they’ve been in many of their games. They will be home on Sunday night.
Dolphins X-Factor: Raheem Mostert– When he signed with the Dolphins, I knew he’d grasp this offense right away because he played under Mike McDaniel back during the San Francisco days. When he’s healthy, Raheem is an absolute force. I still remember what he did in the NFC Championship Game a few years back against the Packers when he ran up and down their defense. Get him the football, let him work in space and this offense will benefit from him. I look for Miami to establish him early on and attack a major weakness of the Chargers which is their run defense.
Chargers X-Factor: Joshua Palmer– With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen being out for so many games each, this is who Herbert has targeted frequently down the field. Everyone thinks Josh is an underneath target only. Not at all. With the right look, he can take the top off a zone coverage. He’s very veteran savvy with the ball in his hands and I like how he can position himself to make the catch. Josh runs every route then continues to power himself up the field. He’s a challenge at times to defend, especially when he’s in a rhythm.
Final Thoughts: Tua and Justin will forever be linked to one another. Miami selected Tua fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and a pick later, Justin fell to the Chargers at six. This is their second ever meeting against one another. This Dolphins defense has so much speed and that will be on display here in this game against this Chargers offense. Miami is a physical football team that can punch you in the mouth. This is a pivotal game for both teams. With the Dolphins losing last week and Buffalo winning, they’ve fallen back into second place in the division and the Chargers are looking to stay within the playoff picture in the AFC. The Chargers could also be getting Mike Williams back who’s been plagued with an ankle injury since week seven. It will also be key for the Chargers to of course zoom in on Cheetah as he knows what their defense will do back from his Kansas City days. Both offensive lines are dealing with injuries, which Quarterback will be protected more consistently?
Prediction: Dolphins 31, Chargers 24
