By Mike Rifkin
The Miami Dolphins opened the 2023 season with an exciting 36-34 victory over the Chargers. Tua Tagovailoa was 28-45 for 466 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Only Tom Brady, Norm Van Brocklin, and Dolphins legend Dan Marino threw for more yards in a season opener. Tyreek Hill had 11 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a back-and-forth affair between these two teams. Last season, the Chargers defense held Tua to 145 yards and the team to 245 yards. This time around, the Dolphins offense had 536 yards offensively. With 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa hit Hill for his second touchdown of the game, and to give the Dolphins a 36-34 lead, a Jason Sanders missed extra point had fans on the edge of their seats for the last 1:45.
Dolphin fans were very excited about hiring new Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. Sunday was not an excellent debut for Fangio, as his defense gave up 433 yards and didn’t force any turnovers. But when they needed to, they stepped up. They forced Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert into an intentional grounding penalty on that final drive. Following that, the recently extended Zac Sieler sacked Herbert. After a third-down completion on fourth and 12, Jaelan Phillips sacked Herbert to seal the win for the Dolphins. One thing the Dolphins’ defense wants to change is the fact they gave up 234 rushing yards.
The essential play came late in the second quarter when Tua tried to launch a ball to Erik Ezukanma, who was interfered with by J.C. Jackson. The penalty was 36 yards, leading to a Jason Sanders 41-yard field goal.
The Dolphins will look to go to 2-0 when they visit division rival Patriots, while the Chargers visit the Titans.
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