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Dolphins out-muscled by Chargers, open season with fourth straight loss

Chargers win in South Florida for first time since 1982

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler scores a touchdown past Miami Dolphins defensive back Xavien Howard at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 29, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. ā€“ Philip Rivers threw for 310 yards and two scores Sunday to help the Chargers win in Miami for the first time in 38 years, 30-10.

Rivers completed 24 of 30 attempts with no interceptions and directed a 10Ā½-minute drive in the third quarter that helped Los Angeles take control.

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The Dolphins (0-4) held a lead for the first time this season, but it lasted only 3 minutes, 49 seconds.

Theyā€™ve been outscored 163-26 this season, which is the NFLā€™s worst four-game point differential since at least 1940.

The Chargers (2-2) had lost eight games in a row in Miami. Their last victory came in an overtime playoff thriller in January 1982 thatā€™s regarded as one of the greatest games in NFL history.

Their latest win was less dramatic, and came in a stadium that was more than half empty. The Chargers led 17-10 and scored on their first three possessions of the second half to take command against the outmanned Dolphins, who have been outscored 81-0 in the second half this season.

Austin Ekeler scored one touchdown receiving and another rushing. Desmond King led Los Angelesā€™ defensive charge with 2Ā½ sacks, a tackle for a loss and two quarterback hits.

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was active after reporting this week and ending his holdout, but he didnā€™t have a carry.

The list of injuries grew longer for the hobbled Chargers. Defensive end Melvin Ingram left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and didnā€™t return, and linebacker Denzel Perryman (possible concussion), receiver Dontrelle Inman (quad) and tight end Sean Culkin (left ankle) were hurt in the fourth quarter.

Miamiā€™s Josh Rosen threw for 180 yards and a touchdown, but had an interception and was sacked four times. Teammate Jason Sanders missed field goals of 50 and 52 yards in the first half.

Los Angeles started slowly ā€” not surprising for a team that traveled 2,500 miles to kick off at 10 a.m. California time. Rosen threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to DeVante Parker to give the Dolphins their second touchdown and first lead of the season, 10-3.

Los Angeles quickly answered with a 75-yard scoring drive. Ekeler turned a short reception into an 18-yard touchdown in the final minute of the first half to put the Chargers ahead to stay.

They chewed up most of the third quarter with a drive that produced a field goal for a 20-10 lead.

INJURIES

Dolphins WR Jakeem Grant went to the sideline with a hamstring injury.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

Referee Tony Corrente twice announced rulings involving ā€œSan Diego.ā€ The Chargers moved to Los Angeles in 2017.

UP NEXT

Chargers: They play host to Denver on Oct. 6. The Chargers had a six-game winning streak snapped last year when they lost at home to the Broncos 23-22 on a last-second field goal.

Dolphins: They have a bye before playing host to Washington on Oct. 13. The Redskins are 0-5 at Miami, with the most recent game in 2011.


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