No, this isn’t a photo of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, where Sunday’s game was played; we’re not sure where it’s from. But it’s free, thanks to Creative Commons!
“Charger Sideline” by MightyMaxLV is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Rivers, Chargers Sink Dolphins, 30-10
By Jeremy Gonzalez, Sports Editor
Yes, running a recap of a Chargers game played six days ago, and only a day before the team’s next game, seems a bit, uh, unorthodox. But let’s just say that it’s taken some time for the gravity of last Sunday’s win to truly settle in.
For the first time in nearly four decades, the Chargers have won a football game in Miami thanks to a stellar performance from quarterback Phillip Rivers, who threw for 310 yards and two scores on Sunday to give his team a 30-10 victory.
Los Angeles (2-2) had lost the previous eight games in Miami. Its last victory came in an overtime playoff thriller back in January 1982, regarded as one of the greatest games in the history of the NFL.
The most recent win came in a stadium that was more than half empty and was less dramatic. The Chargers scored on the first three possessions of the second half to take control over the Dolphins, who have been outscored 81-0 in the second half this season.
Rivers completed 24 of his 30 pass attempts and threw for no interceptions against the Dolphins. The Dolphins (0-4) held a lead for the first time this season but it only lasted three minutes, 49 seconds. Miami has been outscored this season 163-26, which is the NFL’s worst four-game point differential since 1940.
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler led the backfield despite Melvin Gordon being active for the game after ending his holdout and reporting to camp this week. Gordon was only going to be used in case of an emergency. Ekeler scored one touchdown receiving and another rushing. Defensive back Desmond King led the Chargers with 2.5 sacks, a tackle for a loss and two quarterback hits.
Injuries took out a wave of Chargers players during Sunday’s game, including defensive end Melvin Ingram (hamstring), linebacker Denzel Perryman (possible concussion), wide receiver Dontrelle Inman (quad), and tight end Sean Culkin (left ankle).
Miami quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 180 yards and a touchdown, but threw an interception and was sacked four times. Kicker Jason Sanders missed field goals from 50 and 52 yards in the first half.
Inman led all receivers with five receptions going for 76 yards while Ekeler led the rushing attack with 60 yards on the ground.
UP NEXT
Chargers: Los Angeles will host Denver for an AFC west rivalry matchup Sunday. The Chargers had a six-game winning streak snapped last year when they lost to the Broncos 23-22 on a last-second field goal.
Dolphins: Miami will have a bye week before hosting the Washington Redskins The Redskins are also 0-5 in Miami, with the most recent game coming back to 2011.
