Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins: 11/15/20 NFL Picks and Prediction

Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing their opponents to average 27.0 ppg on 369.5 total yards per game (251.3 passing yds/g; 118.3 rushing yds/g).

The Miami Dolphins won their 4th straight game and improved to 5-3 on the season after defeating the Arizona Cardinals, 34-31, this past Sunday. Miami trailed by a 31-24 margin entering the 1st quarter, however, the defense came up with some big plays late and the Dolphins were able to secure the victory after scoring 10 unanswered points to close out the game. Miami was outgained by Arizona by a 442-312 margin, however, did win the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Dolphins was Tua Tagovailoa who completed 20 of 28 passes for 248 yards & 2 TD’s.

On the season, Miami is averaging 27.8 ppg on 332.8 total yards per game (235.6 passing yds/g; 97.1 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Miami is being led by rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa who has completed 65.4% of his passes for 350 yards 7 3 TD and 2-0 since replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick (70.1 comp %, 278.3 yds/g, 10 TD, 7 INT). The top receiving threats for the Dolphins have been DeVante Parker (36 rec, 431 yards, 3 TD), Mike Gesicki (22 rec, 331 yards, 2 TD), and Preston Williams (18 rec, 16.0 yards, 4 TD). Williams had to leave the game early agianst Arizona due to a foot injury and is currently questionable. The Miami backfield is banged up as they lost Myles Gaskin indefinitely due to a knee injury and was with Matt Breida last week due to a hamstring injury. Leading the way for the Dolphins backfield if Breida cannot go this week will be Salvon Ahmed (7 att, 38 yards) and Jordan Howard (28 att, 33 yards, 4 TD).

Defensively, Miami is holding their opponents to an average of 20.1 ppg on 406.8 total yards per game (275.0 passing yds/g; 131.8 rushing yds/g).

The Chargers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games, however, are just 2-5-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss. The Dolphins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.

Los Angeles have to be thrilled by how their rookie QB, Justin Herbert, has looked since taking over under center, however, the Chargers have had trouble picking up wins as they continue to lose close games. Miami, although having a banged-up backfield and their own rookie QB going, continues to win games behind a defense that ranks 4th in scoring defense. Los Angeles is a decent team despite their record, however, between the fact that Miami is a tough place to play and that Tagovailoa looked very solid last week behind center, I think the Dolphins continue their winning streak and do enough to cover this small home spread. Good Luck!