What We Saw: Week 1

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Dolphins @ Chargers

Final Score: Dolphins 36, Chargers 34

Writer: Chuck Twohig (@Chuck2E on Twitter)

This one was full of fireworks offensively, and that is exactly what everyone would expect when a healthy Tua Tagovailoa takes on a healthy Justin Herbert. Huge games by Tyreek Hill and the Chargers rushing duo of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley really made this a fun game to watch. He also only had three receptions, but Braxton Berrios proved he can be a valuable weapon when facing an important third down. In the end the Dolphins defense managed to come up with two vital sacks of Herbert on the Chargers last drive with the Chargers holding the potential to go up the field and win it with a field goal.

Four Up

Tua Tagovailoa had a big day and more importantly, he showed up when the Dolphins needed it. He did have one interception, but he looked poised and comfortable when throwing to his favorite weapons all day.
If I said that the Chargers had a huge day on the ground, is Joshua Kelley the name you would expect to hear next? Ekeler ended up with more yardage for the game, but Kelley nearly put up 100 yards on the day which was completely unexpected, at least by me.
Knowing that the Chargers were Huge on the ground, of course you know Austin Ekeler is the next person you hear about. Over 100 on the ground and nearly another 50 through the air with a rushing touchdown honestly just sounds like a day at the office at this point for Ekeler. He is such a valuable weapon.
No one today was more impressive than Tyreek Hill. He was getting major separation nearly all day long and was able to turn that into a monstrous day for receiving yards and a couple scores.

Two Down

While he was running hard North to South and didn’t have a bad day (especially since his team was so efficient in the passing game), Raheem Mostert really needed a big day today to show he was the clear-cut number one in that backfield and I’m not sure he proved that.
A lot of buzz was surrounding Quentin Johnston heading into this game and I believe that buzz has been quieted.

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins offense today pic.twitter.com/aiaHJ9Jeyh

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 10, 2023

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa : 28/45, 466 yards, 3 TD, INT | 5 carries, 5 yards

Tua did exactly what he needed to do to show the league that his concussion issues of last season did not carry over into this season and he is ready to play ball. The Chargers secondary was swarming early on and Tua stayed poised and kept his head in the game and did his job. Doesn’t hurt to have someone like Tyreek Hill to rely on though.

Notes

Tua’s best throw of the game may have been on a 3rd and 15 strike to Braxton Berrios for 17 yards to keep the drive going.

Missed Opportunities

Down 24-20 Tua threw an INT in the end zone that at the time seemed it would have huge implications on the game.

Running Back

Raheem Mostert: 10 carries, 37 yards, TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards

Mostert had an uneventful day on the stat sheet for a number one Running Back but he was running hard. He had the bulk of the Dolphins carries (at 10 carries you can tell they were throwing a lot) and averaged 3.7 yards per carry but didn’t seem to really open it up at all for the Dolphins like his counterparts did for Los Angeles.

Erik Ezukanma: 2 carries, 17 yards

Salvon Ahmed: 3 carries, 11 yards

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Tyreek Hill: 15 targets, 11 receptions, 215 yards, 2 TD

Hill was everywhere all over the field and seemed pretty much uncoverable by the Chargers secondary. He created a ton of separation and had a huge day. Even with guys like Jaylen Waddle on the roster, Hill is still clearly the obvious number one receiver and Tua’s favorite weapon.

Jaylen Waddle: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 78 yards

By no means a poor showing from Waddle, but not a shadow of the production Hill had today. This is a fairly solid day for a number two receiver, but I believe Waddle sees himself as a number one and I wonder if that creates some issues down the line.

Braxton Berrios: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 42 yards

Berrios only had a few catches hauled in two were for big first downs and he seems like he can become a good safety net receiver for Tua.

Durham Smythe: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 44 yards

River Cracraft: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD

Alec Ingold: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 34 yards

Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers offense today pic.twitter.com/Vjk5JQcCi7

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 11, 2023

Quarterback

Justin Herbert: 23/33, 228 yards, TD | 5 carries, 18 yards, TD

Herbert looked good all game and had a serviceable game by any means, but this was clearly a “run first” team today. The ground game ruled the Chargers side of the score sheet and Herbert did not look the same as I am used to seeing him slinging the ball all over the field.

Missed Opportunities

On a 3rd and 5 in the red zone in the 4th quarter the Chargers failed to convert which led to a field goal.
Herbert took two sacks on the last drive ultimately sealing the win for the Dolphins.

Running Back

Austin Ekeler: 16 carries, 117 yards, TD | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 47 yards

Ekeler was running hard North to South all game long. The Chargers were doing a lot of tempo changes throughout this one and I think Ekeler benefited from that and was able to catch the Dolphins’ defense off guard a few times. The leading scorer for running backs the last two seasons came out and did what he does.

Joshua Kelley: 16 carries, 91 yards, TD | 1 target

I was not expecting to report about such a strong day from Kelley but here we are. He should definitely be on everyone’s radar moving forward.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Keenan Allen: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 76 yards | 2 carries, 6 yards

Allen has a pretty decent day but fails to find the end zone. They’re going to need to get him scoring moving forward to be the team that they want to be.

Mike Williams: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 45 yards