'Herculean' Herbert, turnovers help Chargers send Dolphins to 1-5
'Herculean' Herbert, turnovers help Chargers send Dolphins to 1-5
Justin Herbert picked apart the Miami Dolphins' defense, while the Los Angeles Chargers' secondary secured three takeaways Sunday to score a 29-27 victory.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 264 yards and two scores in a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
MIAMI, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Chargers defenders were starving wolves eyeing plump prey, pouncing for game-shifting turnovers in a scintillating Sunday win, while sending the spiraling Miami Dolphins to 1-5.
The Chargers held a 403-341 edge in total yards and led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but needed to hold off a late Dolphins rally to secure the 29-27 victory in Miami Gardens, Fla.
"Like boxing, it is a football fight every single week," Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "You've got two teams desperate for a win. We are playing our hearts out there. That's the nature of the NFL. It's diabolical that way."
ladd mcconkey.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (L) caught seven passes for 100 yards and a score in a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert helped transform takeaways into points, completing 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two scores. Kimani Vidal, who drew his first start in place of injured Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, ran for a career-high 124 yards.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Herbert, who appeared wrapped up in a sack with about 30 seconds remaining and the Chargers trailing 27-26, managed to shake off the pressure and hit Ladd McConkey for a 42-yard gain to set up kicker Cameron Dicker for a 33-yard game-winning field goal, his fifth of the day.
"Justin Herbert, it was like Hercules out there," Harbaugh said. "Shrugging off that sack. Great play by Ladd. Justin just played incredible and found a way to win."
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Kevin M. Cox/UPI
Tony Jefferson, Benjamin St-Juste and Derwin James each intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who threw for 205 yards and a score.
The AFC matchup featured four lead changes and seven field goals. Herbert picked apart the Dolphins secondary throughout the day, while avoiding turnovers.
Head coach Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins dropped to 1-5 with Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. File Photo by Mark Black/UPI
Jefferson spoiled the game's opening drive by intercepting Tagovailoa's first pass of the day. Running back De'Von Achane ran for the only score of the first half, which featured five field goals, helping the Dolphins build a 13-9 lead through two quarters.
The Chargers took 7:34 off the game clock on the opening drive of the second half, which ended with a 5-yard touchdown toss from Herbert to McConkey, who logged 100 yards.
That time-eating drive -- paired with another touchdown toss from Herbert to Vidal in the same quarter -- set up the Chargers to put away the home team. But the Dolphins rallied back.
Achane found the end zone with a 4-yard run to start a surge of 14-consecutive Dolphins points. Tagovailoa hit Darren Waller with a 7-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute remaining to help the Dolphins regain the lead.
But Herbert remained cool, shaking off Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, who was wrapped around his torso two plays later, and finding McConkey on the game's most critical play. Dicker split the uprights just four snaps later for the final points of the day.
"It's a race against time," Herbert said. "I felt like I could stay up and get the ball out. ... It was just a great play call and Ladd making a great play."
Achane totaled 150 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including a 49-yard run. Tagovailoa completed 21 of 32 attempts.
The Dolphins will face the Cleveland Browns (1-5) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Cleveland. The Chargers (4-2) will host the Indianapolis Colts (5-1) on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
"These are the things you have to go through," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "But we will collectively get back to work tomorrow, because that's what you do, and go face the next opponent while trying to correct stuff from the tape."
