One of the most anticipated matchups of the first week of the NFL season lived up to the hype as the Miami Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 36-34 in a high-scoring affair. The Dolphins QB/WR duo of Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill had an absolute outing for the ages as Tagovailoa finished with 467 yards along with three touchdown passes, including two to Hill, who had 215 receiving yards in the Dolphins big-time win.
Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa passed for 466 yards today, the fourth-most passing yards in a season-opening game in NFL history, trailing only Norm Van Brocklin, (554 yards in 1951), Tom Brady (517 yards in 2011) and Dan Marino (473 yards in 1994).
Tyreek Hill registered 215…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2023
The Dolphins came into Los Angeles looking for revenge after losing to the Chargers in a Sunday Night Football matchup last December. Miami started with a colossal mistake as center Connor Williams errantly snapped a ball to Tagovailoa, which ended an incredible opening drive resulting in a fumble recovery by the Chargers. LA would capitalize and finish their first drive of the season with a touchdown run by superstar tailback Austin Ekeler; Ekeler had a monstrous afternoon as he finished the loss with 117 yards on the ground, including a 55-yard dash.
The Dolphins would answer back with a touchdown run by Raheem Mostert; Mostert looked 100% healthy after missing a couple of games at the end of last season. Miami would end the first half with another touchdown on a beautifully executed connection from Tagovailoa to River Cracraft, followed by two substantial field goals made by Jason Sanders. The Chargers would also add another TD in the first half on a pass from Justin Herbert to tight end Donald Parham. Miami would take a 20-17 lead into halftime after an early 7-0 deficit.
.@miamidolphins or Beach Boys? 🌊🏄♂️
📺: #MIAvsLAC on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/Rkh2vuqzGZ— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
The Chargers would have a great start to the second half, including a one-yard touchdown rush by Herbert and an interception by cornerback J.C. Jackson. With that said, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins were able to regroup and end the contest with two more touchdowns, on absolute dimes from Tagovailoa to Hill. The Chargers would add another touchdown through the ground on a two-yard run by Joshua Kelley; however, that was not enough, as Miami would end their season-opening victory with a sack of Herbert by former Miami Hurricanes pass rusher and third-year Dolphins star Jaelan Phillips.
All in all, Miami will look to continue their resilient winning ways in a week two road divisional matchup against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. LA will look to turn things around in week two against the Titans as they travel to Nashville.
Let us know what you think about Miami’s thrilling victory over Los Angeles by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
