The time has finally come. The first week of the regular season is upon us. The games actually count. Now that kickoff is here, it’s time to look at the Los Angeles Chargers Week 1 matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Let’s go ahead and dive right in.
Herbert vs. Tua: Round 3
This matchup could be around for another decade if Tua is able to stay healthy. Most football fans know about how the Dolphins chose Tua 5th overall in the NFL draft, leaving the Chargers to pick up the “leftovers” in Justin Herbert. So far, the Dolphins did the Chargers a big favor as Herbert has individually performed better than Tua. However, the matchup between these two is tied 1-1. Every game these two play against each other will add to this discussion of whether the Dolphins should have picked Herbert instead. Week 1 is no exception.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (17) – Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
Week 1 Injuries
We’ll talk about the Dolphin’s Week 1 injuries first. It doesn’t look too good for them. Their biggest loss could be starting LT Terron Armstead. With RT Austin Jackson struggling the past two years, if Armstead is out, both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack can have themselves a day. The other injury concern for the Dolphins is their WR Jaylen Waddle. Now, he was only limited, unlike Armstead, who did not practice, but that still means he may not be 100%. This would mean we can focus solely on stopping Tyreek Hill and have a good chance of single-covering Waddle. This is all added to the fact that Jalen Ramsey is out for the beginning of the season.
The Chargers are on the opposite end of the injury report. While the Dolphins have 11 players listed on their injury report, the Chargers only have two, and both are backups. The only downer is the fact that 3rd round pick Daiyan Henley did not practice. Henley shined in all three of the preseason games, and he is a rookie; many Chargers fans were looking forward to seeing him get some playing time. Other than him, Chris Rumph is limited but should still play. Here is the full injury report on the Chargers website.
Two High-Powered Offenses
What a great game to have the Chargers play in Week 1. Everyone is expecting both the Chargers and the Dolphins to be top ten offenses this season. With Herbert’s arm for the Chargers and Hill’s blazing speed for the Dolphins, this could be a high-scoring game. It wasn’t in last year’s matchup, as HC Brandon Staley called up a perfect game plan for them. I don’t expect that to happen two years in a row. I expect this to be at least a five-TD game, but more likely will be more. This should be a very exciting jump-off-your-couch kind of game.
Chargers OC Kellen Moore – Noel Sanchez/Charger Report
Great First Test For Kellen Moore’s Offense
One of the biggest additions this year was not a player for the Chargers but a coach. Specifically, it was adding Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator and play caller. Last year, it couldn’t be talked about enough how former OC Joe Lombardi was holding Herbert and the rest of the offense back from their true potential. Week 1 will prove to be a good test for Moore and his offense.
With the Dolphins loaded defensive back group, even without Ramsey, led by Xavien Howard, Christian Wilkins piercing through the middle, and both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips coming off the edge, this defense is much better than most people think. Not to mention Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, is a great playcaller. I sure hope Moore can live up to the offseason hype because he’s going to need to right out of the gate.
Predictions
Here are who our own Defiant Takes Football writers think will win this week in their game-by-game predictions: Chargers writer Derick Jelley’s prediction and Dolphins writer Taylor Tilley’s prediction.
I personally think that the Chargers are going to win this game with a close score of Chargers 31 to Dolphins 28. Can’t wait to see this game and finally watch some meaningful football. Week 1 is finally here!
