The Chargers didn’t get unlucky. Instead, they were outplayed and their mistakes were too costly to overcome in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.
Here are my takeaways from Week 10:
Play-calling was questionable
The Chargers knew that the Dolphins possessed one of the best defenses in the NFL coming into the game. However, I didn’t know that would entail drawing up a script that would take the football out of the team’s best offensive player’s hands completely.
Instead, Los Angeles resorted to a run-heavy approach to take some of the pressure off of Herbert in hopes of it helping with Miami’s blitz-heavy scheme. But the decision to run the ball more did not help, as they failed to go for over 100 yards, despite running back Kalen Ballage’s strong outing.
The Chargers called run play on 18 of their 30 first and second-down, putting Herbert in a handful of unideal situations to try to convert on third downs. Los Angeles didn’t have much success, going 4-of-13 on third-down.
While he had his ups and downs, it didn’t help that he was under constant duress on the majority of his drop backs or his targets were erased. But the bottom line is that Herbert wasn’t given a chance until late in the game. Like I’ve said, roll with what is working. Running the football was not.
Special teams suffers, once again
The Chargers are dead last in special teams and it doesn’t appear they’re making the necessary changes to fix them, as seen in yesterday’s contest.
Punter Ty Long bobbled a snap and had his kicked blocked to set up the Dolphins’ first score on the following play. Cornerback Quenton Meeks was offside on a field-goal attempt by the Dolphins, giving them a first down that led to another touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
That’s nearly half of the points given up.
Punt coverage was an issue, too. Wide receiver Jakeem Grant had three runbacks for 87 yards, which helped with Miami’s field position. On the other hand, Los Angeles’ return unit was not inspiring, either.
You can point fingers at the players, but given how long this has been going on for, it’s starting to fall on special teams coach George Stewart’s shoulder for not fixing these blunders, especially the costly penalties.
Defense failed to capitalize
After the game, the advantage of the battle between quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa seemed to be given to the Dolphins’ signal-caller, which has largely been based on the stat sheet. However, it could have been the other way around, but lack of execution is the reasoning for it.
A deflected pass by cornerback Michael Davis in the first quarter. The ball was in linebacker Denzel Perryman’s hands, and he dropped it. Miami went on to score a touchdown.
Then in the third quarter, linebacker Kenneth Murray was in perfect position in the middle of the field. Tagovailoa threw it right into Murray’s hands. But, it slipped through and ended up as a 19-yard completion to tight end Adam Shaheen. They settled with a field goal.
Had the defense capitalized on those two plays, the debate between Herbert and Tagovailoa would be completely different.
As for the rest of the defensive unit, there wasn’t much to be thrilled about. The pass rush failed to put any pressure on Tagovailoa and their ongoing issues against the run continued, struggling to get any push up front and tackle in space.
