For the first time ever, the Chargers will kick off the White Hot Sunday home opener at the StubHub Arena in Los Angeles. They will go head-to-head against the Miami Dolphins.

This will be the first regular season game for the Dolphins. Due to very unfortunate circumstances involving Hurricane Irma, the Miami Dolphins had to postpone their home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins

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On this week’s Talking Touchdowns game preview, I take a look at the matchup, including:

Offense

• After Dolphins starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill’s season was cut prematurely due to a knee injury, the team had to find a replacement just a week before their preseason opener. The Dolphins new starting quarterback is Jay Cutler from the Chicago Bears.
• For Miami’s sake, I hope Cutler can play better than his 2016 season where he had only 1,059 yards and just four touchdowns. Now, compare that to our Philip Rivers 2016 season where he had 4,386 yards and 33 touchdowns!
• Melvin Gordon made some huge plays for the Chargers against Denver. He had 54 on 18 carries and five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.
• On the other hand, Miami’s Jay Ajayi is coming off a really impressive 2016 season where he put up nearly 1,300 yards rushing in only 12 starts. I am expecting to see him as the focal point for the Dolphins offense.

Defense

• Going into this game, we’re going to need to see the Chargers defensive stars step it up and get a better pass rush. We need to see guys like Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram putting pressure on the Dolphins’ offense.
• It will be interesting to see how Miami’s defense will look. Particularly, I will be watching Kiko Alonso as he steps up as middle linebacker.

Game Prediction

It’s Chargers in new Chargers territory and I don’t expect them to show up with anything less than a fire to claim their it. I’m going to have to give this one to the Bolts! Go Chargers!

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Photo Credits:

• Los Angeles Chargers logo on Wikimedia Commons by San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Los Angeles skyline on Pixabay
• Miami Dolphins on Wikimedia Commons by Miami Dolphins
• Ryan Tannehill on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison
• Jay Cutler on Wikipedia by Diddykong1130
• Philip Rivers on flickr by Jeffrey Beall
• Joey Bosa on wikimedia commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Melvin Ingram on wikimedia commons by Jeffrey Beall