CHARGERS (3-2) at DOLPHINS (1-4)
When: 10 a.m. PT Sunday
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 4.5
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: LT Joe Alt (ankle), WR Derius Davis (knee), DL Da’Shawn Hand (groin), Trey Pipkins III (knee); QUESTIONABLE: OLB Bud Dupree (hamstring), WR Quentin Johnston (hamstring), FB/DL Scott Matlock (ankle), LB Denzel Perryman (ankle), OL Jamaree Salyer (knee).
Dolphins: OUT: DB Elijah Campbell (quadriceps), LB Tyrel Dodson (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: OL Aaron Brewer (pectoral), CB Storm Duck (ankle).
What’s at stake: A victory would put the injury-riddled Chargers back on track after they landed in a ditch with mistake-filled losses to the New York Giants and Washington Commanders the past two weeks. Injuries to key players were only partly to blame. A loss to the Dolphins would be a sign the Chargers aren’t the team many believed them to be after a 3-0 start. Miami needs a victory to halt a slide toward the bottom of the AFC East standings. The Dolphins might be in the cellar if not for the winless New York Jets.
Who’s better: The Chargers would appear to have the better and more complete roster, but that also was the case going into their Sept. 28 game against the Giants. Penalties and turnovers proved costly and the Chargers dropped a 21-18 decision, their first defeat after three impressive victories to begin the season. The Chargers defense is sixth-ranked in the NFL, giving up 19.6 points per game. The Dolphins’ defense is 29th-ranked in the 32-team league, giving up 29 points per game. The Chargers are giving up 293.8 net yards per game, seventh-best. The Dolphins are giving up 386.6 yards per game, 29th-best.
Matchup to watch: Quarterback Justin Herbert hasn’t received adequate protection from a battered and bruised offensive line over the past several games. He threw for 203 yards against the Giants and 166 yards against the Commanders. So, one of the keys to defeating the Dolphins is keeping Herbert upright and providing him with ample time to deliver his throws. Herbert has thrown four interceptions in five games, one more than all of last season.
Chargers win if: Avoiding the penalties that have plagued the Chargers for the past two games is a must if they are to end their two-game skid. They were penalized 14 times in their loss to the Giants and 10 times against the Commanders. Among their biggest unforced errors was a penalty for an illegal formation on the opening kickoff against Washington, which was about as inexcusable as it gets.
Fantasy sleeper: Wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught his first touchdown pass of the season against Washington. He’s only been Herbert’s third-favorite receiver this season behind Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. Allen has 29 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns, Johnston has 26 catches for 377 yards and three touchdowns and McConkey has caught 21 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. Look for McConkey to have a breakout game.
Prediction: The Chargers desperately need a bounce-back game after two certified clunkers the past two weeks, and the reeling Dolphins appear to be the right opponent at the right time. Miami’s defense isn’t very good and it could be the right tonic for what ails the Chargers’ offense. Then again, the Chargers must clean up their act in order to win. Chargers 24, Dolphins 21.