Game story
In Week 5 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-10-05, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with +9.67 total EPA, and +12.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-11.9% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: 10-N.Kaeding kicks 64 yards from LAC 30 to MIA 6. 15-D.Bess to MIA 21 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at MIA 25. 22-J.Hester to MIA 25 for no gain (15-D.Bess).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Miami Dolphins | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Pennington · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +9.67 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 2 R. Brown · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +6.83 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 3 G. Camarillo · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 4 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.52 EPA/play
- 5 C. Chambers · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 6 T. Ginn · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.67 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 7 A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
- 8 D. Sproles · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.26 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Pennington — MIA · Passing
C. Pennington posted the highest total EPA (+9.67) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Miami Dolphins's efficiency. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.30 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.75 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: 10-N.Kaeding kicks 64 yards from LAC 30 to MIA 6. 15-D.Bess to MIA 21 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at MIA 25. 22-J.Hester to MIA 25 for no gain (15-D.Bess).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — G. Camarillo (C. Pennington pass)
- Miami Dolphins — R. Brown
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the MIA 16 (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) 10-N.Kaeding 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LAC 29 (Q1 47:53) — (2:53) 5-D.Carpenter 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 17 (Q2 35:32) — (5:32) 10-C.Pennington pass deep right to 83-G.Camarillo for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 35:25) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q2 30:47) — (:47) Direct snap to 23 - Brown, Ronnie. (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 30:41) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the MIA 17 (Q3 18:21) — (3:21) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 89-C.Chambers for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 18:13) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 18:13) — 10-N.Kaeding kicks 64 yards from LAC 30 to MIA 6. 15-D.Bess to MIA 21 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at MIA 25. 22-J.Hester to MIA 25 for no gain (15-D.Bess).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 21-L.Tomlinson to MIA 38 for 11 yards (97-P.Merling).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard to MIA 1 for no gain (91-V.Holliday; 52-C.Crowder).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 17:34) — (2:34) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 43-D.Sproles to MIA 10 for 23 yards (20-C.Crocker).
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 35:32) — (5:32) 10-C.Pennington pass deep right to 83-G.Camarillo for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 18:13) — 10-N.Kaeding kicks 64 yards from LAC 30 to MIA 6. 15-D.Bess to MIA 21 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at MIA 25. 22-J.Hester to MIA 25 for no gain (15-D.Bess).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 19:42) — (4:42) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 83-V.Jackson to MIA 15 for 42 yards (21-A.Goodman).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard to MIA 1 for no gain (91-V.Holliday; 52-C.Crowder).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 18:21) — (3:21) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 89-C.Chambers for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
C.Pennington led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Pennington (Miami Dolphins) · 32 dropbacks · 68.8% completion · +12.2% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +9.67 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 31 dropbacks · 41.9% completion · -16.5% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.05 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.027 | +0.039 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.5% | 48.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.002 | +0.302 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.325 | +0.123 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.039 | +0.027 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.2% | 61.5% |
By the numbers
Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, -1.78 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Miami Dolphins: 10 drives, +3.30 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- C. Pennington (MIA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- P. Rivers (LAC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 52:46 · MIA 16 · Score 3-0
(7:46) 10-N.Kaeding 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 47:53 · LAC 29 · Score 3-3
(2:53) 5-D.Carpenter 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 35:32 · LAC 17 · Score 3-9
(5:32) 10-C.Pennington pass deep right to 83-G.Camarillo for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 35:25 · LAC 2 · Score 3-10
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 30:47 · LAC 5 · Score 3-16
(:47) Direct snap to 23 - Brown, Ronnie. (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 30:41 · LAC 2 · Score 3-17
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 18:21 · MIA 17 · Score 9-17
(3:21) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 89-C.Chambers for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 18:13 · MIA 2 · Score 10-17
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Los Angeles Chargers 17-10 in Week 5, 2008 on 2008-10-05.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 10, Miami Dolphins 17 (LAC 10-17 MIA) in Week 5, 2008 on 2008-10-05.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Miami Dolphins 3; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Miami Dolphins 14; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Miami Dolphins 0; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 10, Miami Dolphins 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — G. Camarillo (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 35:32) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Brown (Q2 30:47) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 18:21) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q1 52:46, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — D. Carpenter (Q1 47:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins), 68.8% completion, +12.2% CPOE, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +9.67 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 41.9% completion, -16.5% CPOE, -0.00 EPA per dropback, -0.05 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins?
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) led the game in total EPA with +9.67 on passing plays. across 32 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.75 EPA): 10-N.Kaeding kicks 64 yards from LAC 30 to MIA 6. 15-D.Bess to MIA 21 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at MIA 25. 22-J.Hester to MIA 25 for no gain (15-D.Bess).. The biggest win-probability swing was -11.9%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Miami Dolphins a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Miami Dolphins won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 2-2 Now 2-3 L
Miami Dolphins
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W
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