By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
A last-second field goal by Los Angeles kicker Cameron Dicker thwarted a gallant Dolphins comeback, giving the Chargers a 29–27 victory Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. Key turnovers crippled any chance of victory, leaving Miami with 1-5 record in a season that has been challenging, disappointing and exacerbating. The present circumstance has caused every Dolphin stakeholder from ownership to the paying public to re-evaluate coaching, player acquisition, on field performance and the talent level of a franchise that is being developmentally surpassed by division and conference rivals. Tua’s post game interview poignantly exposed the internal unraveling individually and team wise.
A Malik Washington 45 yard opening kickoff return gave the Dolphins excellent field position. However, the second play of the game became a harbinger of things to come. Tua threw a pass that deflected off wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s hands, which was subsequently intercepted by Chargers safety Tony Jeffrey.
The Dolphins defense responded to the adversity. Rookie defensive lineman Kenneth Grant recorded his first solo sack, forcing the Chargers to settle for a Dicker 35-yard field goal.
The early stellar defense displayed by the Miami defense continued when Rasul Douglas forced a fumble at midfield that was recovered by linebacker Jordyn Brooks at the Chargers’ 49-yard line with 4:22 remaining in the opening quarter. On the next play, running back De’Von Achane took the handoff, bounced to the right sideline and sprinted 49 yards untouched for a touchdown — his fifth rushing score of the season. Riley Patterson’s extra point gave Miami a 7–3 lead.
A Dicker field goal late in the first quarter cut the margin to 7–6.
After several lead changes, the Chargers retook the lead on a 29-yard field goal by Dicker to make it 9–7 at the 10:20 mark. Miami responded with an eight-play, 36-yard drive highlighted by completions to Washington and Waddle and capped by Patterson’s 47-yard field goal to push the Dolphins back in front, 10–9, with 4:09 left in the half.
Tua led a crisp two-minute drive, connecting with Waddle for a 45-yard pass reception down the left sideline to the Chargers’ 17-yard line with 46 seconds remaining. Patterson kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired, extending Miami’s lead to 13–9 at halftime.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey on a 5 yard touchdown pass, giving the Chargers a 16-13 in the third quarter. Tua was victimized by Chargers cornerback Benjamin St-Juste who intercepted a pass at the Dolphins’ 37 yard line. Four plays later, Herbert found running back Kimani Vidal for a short touchdown to extend the lead to 23–13 with 3:55 left in the quarter.
A 35-yard field goal by Dicker early in the fourth quarter made the 26–13. Miami’s grit and determination was demonstrated when Tua targeted five different Dolphins during a drive that culminated in a 4 yard touchdown run by Achane with 8:01 remaining in the game, pulling Miami within 26–20.
With six minutes remaining the Dolphins orchestrated a tremendous drive , a 13-play, 82-yard drive culminating in a 7 yard touchdown pass from Tua to Darren Waller and 27-26 lead, one that wouldn’t last.
On the most crucial play of the game, Charger quarterback Justin Herbert alluded an almost certain sack Jaelan Phillips to complete a 42 yard pass to McConkey, setting up the 17 yard winning field goal with 34 seconds left. If only Phillips had slowed down a tad, been more calculating, he might have sacked Herbert. Missed opportunities that can be the difference in winning or losing. Keep hope alive Dolphins fans, keep hope alive!
The Chargers had one final answer. Herbert connected with McConkey after taking pressure from Dolphins defenders for a 42-yard gain. The big play advanced the Chargers to the Miami 17 with 34 seconds remaining in the contest. Following a few rushes to drain the clock, Dicker drilled a 33-yard field goal with :09 remaining for the decisive score, 29-27.
Tagovailoa finished 21-of-32 for 205 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Achane totaled 150 scrimmage yards (128 rushing, 22 receiving) with two touchdowns, and Waddle led Miami receivers with six catches for 95 yards. Waller added two receptions for 12 yards and the go-ahead score inside the final minute.
Defensively, linebacker K.J. Britt paced Miami with 13 tackles (6 solo), while linebacker Jordyn Brooks added 9 stops and recovered a fumble. Safety Ashtyn Davis forced a fumble, and cornerback Douglas recorded 7 tackles, a forced fumble and added a quarterback hit. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips also contributed a quarterback hit, continuing his impact in the pass rush.
For the Chargers, Herbert went 28-of-38 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. McConkey finished with seven receptions for 100 yards and a score, and Vidal added 124 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.
Miami travels to Cleveland next Sunday, Oct. 19, to face the Browns at Huntington Ba
