Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2023 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-09-10, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 36–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 32 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with +30.06 total EPA, and +0.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +30.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+23.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (3:47) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill to LAC 28 for 47 yards (3-D.James).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Tagovailoa · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +30.06 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hill · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +14.68 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Kelley · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +5.80 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +4.80 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Waddle · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Berrios · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Ingold · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Los Angeles Chargers — A. Ekeler (Q1 49:42)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (Q1 46:19)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Parham (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 39:11)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Cracraft (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 31:47)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Herbert (Q3 24:20)
• Miami Dolphins — T. Hill (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q3 17:18)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Kelley (Q4 14:03)
• Miami Dolphins — T. Hill (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q4 1:48)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q2 41:46)
• Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker (Q2 30:14)
• Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker (Q2 30:09)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q2 30:00)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q4 10:07)
• Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker (Q4 3:57)

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 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q1 49:42) — (4:42) 30-A.Ekeler right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 49:39) — 11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q1 46:19) — (1:19) (No Huddle) 31-R.Mostert left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 46:15) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 19–13. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LAC 5 (Q2 41:46) — (11:46) 7-J.Sanders 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 89-D.Parham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-4-K.Kohou, Defensive Offside, declined.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q2 39:07) — 11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short middle to 85-R.Cracraft for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 15 (Q2 31:42) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the MIA 32 (Q2 30:14) — (:14) 11-C.Dicker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the LAC 35 (Q2 30:09) — 11-C.Dicker kicks 65 yards from LAC 35 to end zone, Touchback.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LAC 23 (Q2 30:00) — (:00) 7-J.Sanders 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) 10-J.Herbert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q3 24:19) — 11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 35 (Q3 17:18) — (2:18) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 17:12) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–9. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q4 14:03) — (14:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-J.Kelley up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 14:00) — 11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LAC 27 (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) 7-J.Sanders 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the MIA 7 (Q4 3:57) — (3:57) 11-C.Dicker 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LAC 4 (Q4 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill to LAC 28 for 47 yards (3-D.James). [WPA +23.7% · EPA +3.89]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert sacked at LAC 24 for -9 yards (sack split by 15-J.Phillips and 20-J.Bethel). [WPA -23.3% · EPA -2.62]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 57:11) — (12:11) 1-T.Tagovailoa FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 3, RECOVERED by LAC-95-N.Williams at LAC 6. [WPA -21.3% · EPA -6.71]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 17:18) — (2:18) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.3% · EPA +3.33]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.5% · EPA +2.47]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Miami Dolphins (Q1 57:11) — (12:11) 1-T.Tagovailoa FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 3, RECOVERED by LAC-95-N.Williams at LAC 6. [WPA -21.3% · EPA -6.71]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill to LAC 28 for 47 yards (3-D.James). [WPA +23.7% · EPA +3.89]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 33:09) — (3:09) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 81-D.Smythe pushed ob at LAC 32 for 10 yards (26-A.Samuel). [WPA +9.6% · EPA +3.42]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 19:39) — (4:39) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep left intended for 0-B.Berrios INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Jackson at LAC -5. 27-J.Jackson pushed ob at LAC 4 for 9 yards (17-J.Waddle). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -3.36]

Quarterback report card

T.Tagovailoa led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) · 47 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · +0.7% CPOE · +0.64 EPA/play · +30.06 total EPA
• J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 44 dropbacks · 52.3% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +2.82 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Miami Dolphins generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs +0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +13.12 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, +18.39 total EPA, 7 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.
• T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 49:42 · MIA 1 · Score 0-6
   (4:42) 30-A.Ekeler right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 49:39 · MIA 15 · Score 0-7
   11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
3. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 46:19 · LAC 2 · Score 6-7
   (1:19) (No Huddle) 31-R.Mostert left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 46:15 · LAC 15 · Score 7-7
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
5. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 41:46 · LAC 5 · Score 10-7
   (11:46) 7-J.Sanders 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
6. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 39:11 · MIA 1 · Score 10-13
   (9:11) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 89-D.Parham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-4-K.Kohou, Defensive Offside, declined.
7. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 39:07 · MIA 15 · Score 10-14
   11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
8. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 31:47 · LAC 1 · Score 16-14
   (1:47) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short middle to 85-R.Cracraft for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Miami Dolphins TD (+7) — Q2 31:42 · LAC 15 · Score 17-14
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
10. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:14 · MIA 32 · Score 17-17
    (:14) 11-C.Dicker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
11. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:09 · LAC 35 · Score 17-17
    11-C.Dicker kicks 65 yards from LAC 35 to end zone, Touchback.
12. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · LAC 23 · Score 20-17
    (:00) 7-J.Sanders 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
13. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 24:20 · MIA 1 · Score 20-23
    (9:20) 10-J.Herbert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 24:19 · MIA 15 · Score 20-24
    11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
15. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 17:18 · LAC 35 · Score 26-24
    (2:18) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 17:12 · LAC 15 · Score 27-24
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
17. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 14:03 · MIA 2 · Score 27-30
    (14:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-J.Kelley up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 14:00 · MIA 15 · Score 27-31
    11-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
19. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 10:07 · LAC 27 · Score 30-31
    (10:07) 7-J.Sanders 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
20. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 3:57 · MIA 7 · Score 30-34
    (3:57) 11-C.Dicker 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
21. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 1:48 · LAC 4 · Score 36-34
    (1:48) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.