With back-to-back West Coast games Miami elected to stay on the Left Coast and prepare for their next opponent after losing and ending their 5-game win streak to the 49ers. (Time to put that film in the trash)
Next up are the Los Angelas Chargers a team Miami will have some ties too for as long as Tua is our QB because of their young Franchise QB Justin Herbart who Miami passed up in the 2020 draft, for our own young Franchise QB Tua Tagovailoa. (See)
This is a must-see game for more than one reason, the NFL flexed this game for Sunday Night Football. It’s more than Tua vs Justin, it’s also about the playoffs as both teams have a shot at making the playoffs and for the Chargers this game is more of a must win as a loss could put them out of the playoff hunt. For Miami it too is a must win game to keep pace with the division leading Bills who we will play next week in Buffalo!
On to the Matchup:
- Where: SoFi Stadium Inglewood, Calif.
- When: Sunday, December 11, 2022
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Weather: 78°F
- Point Spread: Miami -3.0
- O/U 53.5
- TV: NBC
The matchup: on Offense
Miami enters the game 4th place in total offense with 380.2 yards per game, they are 2nd in passing averaging 290.5 YPG. They are 28th in rushing with just 89.7 yards rushing per game.
Chargers enters the game 13th place in total offense with 351.2 yards per game, they are 6th in passing offense, averaging 266.5 YPG. They are 31st in rushing, averaging 84.7 yards rushing per game.
The matchup: on Defense
Miami enters the game 17th in total defense giving up 344.0 YPG. They are 22nd against the pass allowing 233.5 passing yards per game. Miami is 9th against the run giving up 110.5 rushing yards per game. Allowing 4.4 yards per rush.
Chargers enters the game 27th in total defense, giving up 371.7 YPG. They are 19th against the pass allowing 220.1 passing yards per game. Chargers are 29th against the run giving up 151.6 rushing yards per game. Allowing 5.4 yards per rush.
The Strategy:
Time to work on the run game, last week the Dolphins only rushed 8 times the entire game and until they can do a better job at rushing, they will find it difficult to win games in the winter, so I expect a more balanced game.
One could think this game should be a shootout because both teams can pass the ball very well, the Dolphins are 2nd, and the Chargers are 6th respectively in passing.
My Take:
Unlike last week where Miami faced the top defense in the NFL, they get a Chargers defense that is ranked 27th in total defense and are particularly bad at stopping the run. Miami’s RBs should have a good game and at least get the average that the Chargers are allowing 151.6 yards a game!
This will be a fun game to watch, hopefully with Miami coming out on top but the two young Franchise QB’s will be on display for all to see on Sunday night!
Prediction
Miami 26, San Francisco 20
The Dolphin Seer 