{"id":300690,"date":"2025-10-13T19:32:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/300690\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T19:32:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:32:13","slug":"justin-herberts-heroics-salvage-needed-victory-for-chargers-against-dolphins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/300690\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Herbert\u2019s heroics salvage needed victory for Chargers against Dolphins"},"content":{"rendered":"

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. \u2014 The Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> have been desperately treading water over the past three weeks. Waves and waves of injuries have arrived and threatened to derail their season. The injuries started in August and have not stopped, particularly along the offensive line. After a 3-0 start, the Chargers went on a two-game losing streak. And with so many important players sidelined, keeping their heads above water was becoming more and more challenging.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, in a 29-27 win<\/a> over the Miami Dolphins<\/a>, Justin Herbert<\/a> was the Chargers\u2019 life jacket. In a game the Chargers could not afford to lose, Herbert might have saved the season with his late-game heroics.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s Hercules to me,\u201d coach Jim Harbaugh said of his quarterback.<\/p>\n

The Chargers\u2019 defense unraveled in the fourth quarter and squandered a 13-point lead. The Dolphins scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives to jump ahead with 46 seconds remaining. The Chargers had no answer for Dolphins running back De\u2019Von Achane<\/a>, who had 48 of his 150 scrimmage yards in the fourth quarter. On the go-ahead touchdown, the Chargers\u2019 back end lost track of tight end Darren Waller<\/a>, and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> found him in the corner of the end zone.<\/p>\n

It was slipping away \u2014 the game, and potentially the season. That is when Herbert jogged onto the field to take over at his own 41-yard line. The Chargers\u2019 special teams had executed a clutch kickoff return. Running back Nyheim Hines, who was elevated from the practice squad for the game, found a crease to set up the prime field position.<\/p>\n

For most of the game, the Chargers had avoided true dropback situations. They started their fifth-string and sixth-string tackles in the game \u2014 Austin Deculus<\/a> on the left and Bobby Hart<\/a> on the right. Rashawn Slater<\/a> is out for the season. Joe Alt<\/a> missed his second straight game with a high ankle sprain. Trey Pipkins<\/a> and Jamaree Salyer<\/a> were both inactive with knee injuries. The offensive game plan revolved around protecting those reserve tackles, and the Chargers had stayed on track.<\/p>\n

In this situation, needing a two-minute drive to get into field goal range, the Chargers had no choice but to drop Herbert back. And the pressure came.<\/p>\n

On first down, Herbert was smothered by the Dolphins\u2019 defensive front. With multiple defenders trying to drag him to the ground, Herbert just got a throw off over the middle for an incompletion, preserving the one timeout the Chargers had remaining. On second down, the right side of the offensive line \u2014 guard Mekhi Becton<\/a> and Hart \u2014 collapsed. Edge rushers Chop Robinson<\/a> and Jaelan Phillips<\/a> both had free runs on Herbert.<\/p>\n

Herbert stepped up to avoid Robinson, but that left him in the grasp of Phillips, who had beaten Becton on the inside. Phillips tried to punch out the ball. Herbert shifted it from his right hand to his left to avoid the forced fumble attempt. Phillips wrapped Herbert around the waist. Herbert flung Phillips to the turf, maintaining his throwing base. Without a wasted movement, Herbert stood tall and fired a dart to receiver Ladd McConkey<\/a> in the left flat.<\/p>\n

\n

ladd mcconkey.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa | @nfloncbs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Frb9xmCeYx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

McConkey stopped on a dime and juked past Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. He took off down the sideline and into the open field. Running back Hassan Haskins<\/a> sprinted to catch up to McConkey and shielded linebacker Jordyn Brooks<\/a>, who was in pursuit. The catch-and-run went for 42 yards. Four plays later, kicker Cameron Dicker<\/a> nailed the winner from 33 yards.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat play will be burned in my mind until they throw dirt over top of me,\u201d Harbaugh said.<\/p>\n

Herbert\u2019s strength in the pocket was superhuman. His ability to shake off defenders is now commonplace. He avoided a similar sack attempt in a Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos<\/a>, when defensive lineman Zach Allen<\/a> came charging free up the middle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe reminds me of those big dogs, (like) Ben Roethlisberger<\/a>,\u201d tight end Will Dissly<\/a> said. \u201cThe guys that just f-\u2014ing wear it and still sling it. He\u2019s a problem. He\u2019s a real problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quentin Johnston<\/a> missed this game with a hamstring injury. McConkey carried the load for the passing offense, leading the team with seven catches for 100 yards. He also scored the Chargers\u2019 first touchdown, sprinting open in the third quarter in a red zone scramble drill. Herbert found McConkey in the front corner of the end zone. But no play was bigger than his catch-and-run to set up the game-winning field goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I caught it, I saw it was one-on-one,\u201d McConkey said. \u201cAs a receiver, when you catch the ball, you got to make the first one miss. Whatever happens after that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Offensively, the Chargers played as well as could be expected. They had a chance to break the game open in the first half. They instead settled for three field goals on three red zone trips.<\/p>\n

Considering the state of their offensive line, though, the Chargers executed a smart and well-constructed game plan from Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played the way we needed to to win,\u201d Herbert said.<\/p>\n

The Chargers got the run game rolling against one of the worst run defenses in football, which prevented the Dolphins\u2019 edge defenders from really impacting the game as pass rushers.<\/p>\n

Running back Kimani Vidal<\/a> had 124 yards on 18 carries. Vidal\u2019s previous career high in rushing was 34 yards. With Najee Harris<\/a> (Achilles) and Omarion Hampton<\/a> (ankle) both on injured reserve, Vidal literally ran with his opportunity. A 2024 sixth-round draft pick, Vidal was left off the 53-man roster coming out of training camp. He signed to the practice squad. Vidal said he was glad he decided to stick with the Chargers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like before this game I just haven\u2019t done much on the field,\u201d Vidal said. \u201cI wanted to just do more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did everything in his power today to will us to a victory,\u201d center Bradley Bozeman<\/a> said of Vidal.<\/p>\n

\"Kimani<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Kimani Vidal filled in spectacularly for an injured Omarion Hampton. (Carmen Mandato \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Defensively, the Chargers have work to do. They have given up an average of 153.7 rushing yards over the past three games. They have allowed a 100-yard rusher in back-to-back games. Achane finished with 128 yards rushing. He had a 49-yard touchdown in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

The Chargers picked Tagovailoa off three times, including one from cornerback Benjamin St-Juste<\/a> in plus territory in the third quarter that led to a touchdown for the offense. Those turnovers salvaged the performance. But the run defense is not sustainable. The Chargers are missing edge rusher Khalil Mack<\/a>, who has been on IR since Week 3. Safety Derwin James Jr. is playing at less than 100 percent because of a wrist injury. Linebacker Daiyan Henley<\/a> is just now returning to his usual form after dealing with a severe illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got to clean that up because some of the same plays are showing up, some of the same runs,\u201d James said of the run defense.<\/p>\n

Even with Tagovailoa playing poorly, the Chargers let the Dolphins back into this game. The run game was the engine for the comeback.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a defense, we got to close it out,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n

A win is a win, however. The Chargers are 4-2. They are undefeated in four games against the AFC.<\/p>\n

They needed to hold the line until reinforcements arrive. They accomplished that Sunday. Alt is nearing a return. So is Mack.<\/p>\n

With a brutal schedule remaining, a loss in Miami would have been difficult to rebound from.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe needed to win to get back on track,\u201d St-Juste said.<\/p>\n

The Chargers avoided disaster.<\/p>\n

Herbert and McConkey made sure of that.<\/p>\n

The Chargers have some concerning flaws, but the season is alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something to build on,\u201d Harbaugh said.<\/p>\n