Los Angeles Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
Final Score: Chargers 29, Dolphins 27
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
A close Sunday morning AFC matchup ends with the Bolts just edging out the Dolphins. This game featured strong performances from De’Von Achane and Kimani Vidal, with both rushing for over 100 yards. In the end, it came down to Ladd McConkey breaking a tackle and running down the field to put Cameron Dicker in position to hit the decisive field goal.
Four Up
- Kimani Vidal — Vidal took over the Chargers’ backfield to torch the Miami defense, and even nabbed a touchdown through the air.
- Ladd McConkey — McConkey looks like he is back to 2024 form with Quentin Johnston dealing with a hamstring injury.
- De’Von Achane — Achane looked just unstoppable when he cut to the outside. He found the end zone twice as well.
- Oronde Gadsden II — Gadsden had the most receptions on the team despite losing a fumble early.
One Down
- Darren Waller — Waller only saw significantly less targets compared to the last two weeks, but walks away with a touchdown.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 29/38, 264 Yards, 2 TDs | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Justin Herbert played well, but didn’t do anything spectacular. The loss of tackle Joe Alt was was ever-present. It felt like Herbert was left scrambling more often than not. He made one questionable decision to take an end zone shot at a double-covered Keenan Allen on third-and-2, which could have been easily intercepted.
Running Back
Kimani Vidal: 18 Carries, 124 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 14 Yards, TD
Kimani Vidal sees absolutely everything in this backfield. He started the opening drive, but when it was clear Hassan Haskins wasn’t cutting it in the following one, Vidal was given the lion’s share of the work. He performed with it too, with 138 total scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Hassan Haskins: 6 Carries, 14 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Hassan Haskins loses his role in what was a potentially murky backfield. He started the second drive and the first one after halftime, but was inefficient. Despite his size, he was also unable to convert on key short-yardage plays.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ladd McConkey: 9 Targets, 7 Receptions, 100 Yards, TD
With no Quentin Johnston to steal targets, Ladd McConkey is back to being Herbert’s go-to guy. He has a great fantasy day, and saves the game late in the fourth quarter. McConkey broke a tackle on a short pass to gain around 30 extra yards and put the Chargers in field-goal range.
Oronde Gadsden II: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 68 Yards, Fumble (LOST)
Oronde Gadsden II had a solid showing. He lost a fumble on his first reception, but that didn’t stop Herbert from continuing to consistently target him. He tied McConkey for the most receptions on the day.
Keenan Allen: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 27 Yards
Keenan Allen did not have a great fantasy day. The target share is encouraging, and he still has Herbert’s trust: he was targeted on four third-down plays. Allen always has a shot at a touchdown, but it didn’t pan out Sunday.
Tre’ Harris: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 27 Yards
Tre’ Harris saw season highs in both targets and receptions. This is probably going to come back down when Johnston is back from injury.
Will Dissly: 2 Targets 2 Receptions, 18 Yards
KeAndre Lambert-Smith: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 21/32, 205 Yards, TD, 3 INTs | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
I hate to say it, but Tua Tagovailoa cannot stand up to the pressure. When he has time, he has the potential (and has made) some beautiful throws. But as soon as there’s a man in his face, he just panics. The first interception was a great defensive play by Tahreeb Still, stopping Jaylen Waddle from maintaining possession and pushing the ball up to Tony Jefferson; not Tua’s fault. The third was when the game was essentially lost with 5 seconds on the clock at their own 35. Overall a shaky performance that could have ended in a win with one less turnover.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: 16 Carries, 128 Yards, 2 TDs | 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 22 Yards
Can’t stop the A-Chane. De’Von Achane runs straight through (or more realistically out and around) the Chargers’ defense. He gets almost every running back touch, and is efficient with them to boot.
Alec Ingold: 1 Carry, 3 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 22 Yards
The fullback came in for some guaranteed yards on 1st and goal. Alec Ingold also turned a short pass from a scrambling Tagovailoa into a 22-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Ollie Gordon: 2 Carries, 1 Yard | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
Ollie Gordon did not see much usage in this game. He got the first on one short-yardage run, but failed to do so on the other.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 95 Yards | 1/1 8 Yards
Jaylen Waddle led all Dolphins pass catchers in targets, receptions, and yards. He was partially responsible for Tagovailoa’s first interception, because he couldn’t hold on to a pass. He beat his man and made a diving 45-yard catch to give the Dolphins a field goal as the first half expired.
Julian Hill: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 31 Yards
Julian Hill doesn’t see as much volume as last week, but still leads all tight ends in yards.
Malik Washington: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 23 Yards | 1 Carry 1 Yard
Malik Washington didn’t see too much usage in this game. He did have a target in the red zone, and converted on two key third-down targets as well.
Darren Waller: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards, TD
Darren Waller had two targets on the same drive in the first quarter, then disappeared until the very end of the game. He was wide open in the back of the end zone for his touchdown. A significant downtick in fantasy points and usage compared to his last two games.
Tanner Conner: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards