Sunday, November 15, 2020

Chargers tripped up by mistakes, turnovers in loss to Dolphins

  • Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) blocks a punt by Los Angeles Chargers punter Ty Long (1), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham (40) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and tight end Adam Shaheen (80) tackle Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) after the Dolphins fumbled the ball, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Justin Jones (93) attempts to tackle Miami Dolphins running back Malcolm Perry (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stephen Anderson (82), Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamal Perry (33) and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) go after the football after a punt was blocked, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Nick Vigil #59 of the Los Angeles Chargers is taken down by Tua Tagovailoa #1 and Adam Shaheen #80 of the Miami Dolphins after recovering a fumble during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: Denzel Perryman #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers fails to catch a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joe Reed (12) runs the football as Miami Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (23) attempts to defend, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Jamal Perry #33 of the Miami Dolphins recovers a blocked punt as he is tackled by Gabe Nabers #40 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) attempts to throw a pass under pressure from Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jakeem Grant (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) runs the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Miami Dolphins is pursued by Kyzir White #44 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Andrew Van Ginkel #43 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after blocking a punt against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Miami Dolphins is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Kalen Ballage #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs the ball against Bobby McCain #28 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Shaq Lawson #90 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe (81) gestures after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Nick Vigil #59 of the Los Angeles Chargers is pursued by Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins after recovering a fumble during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, center, talks to his staff on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Robert Hunt (68) picks up tight end Durham Smythe (81) after Smythe scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is under pressure by Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham (40) and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Hunter Henry #86 and Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers are congratulated by Gabe Nabers #40 on their touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (91) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham (40) celebrates with defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (98) after Needham sacked Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: Denzel Perryman #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after missing a pass attempt against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10), center, talks to the offensive line, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • Los Angeles Chargers offensive guards Trai Turner (70) and Cole Toner (64) enter the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • The Los Angeles Chargers take the field prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers prepares to run the play against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

  • Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers prepares to run the play against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

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A frustrated Justin Herbert glanced at the scoreboard as the Miami Dolphins were on the verge of putting the game away after his costly fourth-quarter interception.

The Dolphins capitalized on Herbert’s mistake to prevent one of many familiar Chargers game-day situations. There was no last-second finish. There was no Herbert versus Tua Tagovailoa shootout.

And no blown leads for the Chargers — just the familiar feeling of defeat.

The final-second gut kick wasn’t needed Sunday, as the Chargers tumbled to a 29-21 defeat with a deceiving scoreboard at Hard Rock Stadium.

The usual late-game drama didn’t transpire because the Chargers lacked effort after Herbert’s turnover with 11:38 left in regulation. Herbert added a garbage-time touchdown pass to Keenan Allen with 1:57 remaining.

The flat performance will likely lead to more questions about Chargers coach Anthony Lynn’s job security.

Lynn had many late-game blunders in the first eight games of the season, but he at least had his players motivated and competitive. There wasn’t much of that Sunday to start the second half of the season. The Chargers fell to 2-7 on the season, and suffered their 16th one-possession loss since Week 2 of last season.

The Dolphins used their familiar winning script with an opportunistic defense and special teams to stifle the Chargers.

Herbert had arguably his worst performance of the season, completing 20 of 32 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tagovailoa finished 15 of 25 for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

Tagovailoa extended the Dolphins’ lead to 26-14 after the Herbert interception with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Durham Smythe with 11:38 left in regulation.

The Chargers opened the second half with an 11-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to trim the Dolphins’ lead 17-14 with 7:02 left in the third quarter. Herbert rolled to his right and found tight end Hunter Henry for a 2-yard touchdown pass.

Allen got the lengthy drive started with a 15-yard catch-and-run play. Allen was held to one catch for 11 yards in the first half. Mike Williams also had a key 10-yard grab on the drive for his first catch of the game.

The Dolphins’ offense scored on their first play because linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel blocked Ty Long’s punt and cornerback Jamal Perry returned it to the Chargers’ 1-yard line. Running back Salvon Ahmend did the rest with a 1-yard run to give the Dolphins a 7-0 lead with 12:54 left in the first quarter.

With a 14-0 deficit, linebacker Nick Vigil gave the Chargers a much-needed takeaway when he returned a fumble 44 yards to the Dolphins’ 37-yard line. Tagovailoa was credited for the lost fumble, but his center Ted Karras had a bad snap.

The Chargers capitalized on the takeaway with an 11-play touchdown drive that ended with a Herbert sneak from the 1-yard line on fourth down. That was Herbert’s third rushing score of the season, becoming the first Chargers quarterback to reach that mark since 1992.

Tagovailoa had a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jakeem Grant to increase their lead to 14-0 with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. It was the Chargers’ largest deficit of the season.

Kicker Jason Sanders made a 50-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 17-7 lead at halftime.

Check back soon for updates.

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