The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins fell to 1-5 on the season, losing another game in which they held a lead and could not close it out. This time, with a 27-26 lead with less than a minute remaining in the game, Miami found a way to give up the lead and lose the game.
Miami played well for the first half, and the end of the game, but this is going to come down to a miserable third quarter, where the team gave up 14 points immediately after the halftime break. Even when the Dolphins appear ready to compete and turn the corner on a miserable season, they find a way to put themselves back on the wrong side of the score line.
The Dolphins’ 2025 season seems like it was over before it even began. Giving up a 42-yard gain on a sure sack sums up everything that has happened with Miami this season.
Chargers 29 – 27 Dolphins
The Dolphins opened the game with the ball and great field position following a 45-yard kickoff return from wide receiver Malik Washington. Running back De’Von Achane picked up two yards on the first play, then quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for what looked like a nine-yard gain, but the receiver bobbled the ball and tipped it straight to Chargers safety Tony Jefferson for the interception.
What just happened? That interception was purely on Waddle. He just never cleanly caught a pass that hit him in the hands, trying twice to bring it in before batting it straight to Jefferson. Brutal start.
Los Angeles faced a 4th-and-1 on their first set of downs as Miami stuff the run twice on the first three plays. Using the tush push to convert for a first down, the Chargers again faced a fourth down on the second set of downs, settling for a field goal but benefiting from an unnecessary roughness penalty on Miami for a free first down. Miami’s defense then held again, forcing the Chargers to kick a field goal.
The defense held up well on that drive. They were able to stuff the run and they were able to force the Chargers to attempt a field goal. The penalty was unfortunate, but it was no harm, no foul in the long run as the Chargers kicked a field goal either way.
Chargers 3-0.
Miami did nothing on their possession, with Tagovailoa missing tight end Darren Waller on the first pass attempt, then finding him for a five-yard gain on second down. On 3rd-and-5, Tagovailoa was sacked for a one-yard loss and the Dolphins punted.
Boos already starting to rain down on the Dolphins. The defense has to hold here to give the offense another chance at putting together anything other than an interception and a three-and-out or else this game gets one-sided fairly quickly.
