Imagine this: the clock is ticking down, the crowd is on the edge of their seats, and a single play decides the fate of the game. This is exactly what happened on October 12, 2025, when the Los Angeles Chargers faced the Miami Dolphins in a heart-stopping matchup that no one will soon forget. But here's where it gets controversial—was it sheer brilliance from Justin Herbert or a missed opportunity for the Dolphins' defense? Let’s dive in.
In the final minute of a back-and-forth battle at Hard Rock Stadium, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert pulled off a play that left everyone in awe. With the Miami Dolphins' pass rush closing in, Herbert escaped the pocket and fired a 42-yard pass to Ladd McConkey, who turned it into a catch-and-run that silenced the home crowd. This set the stage for Cameron Dicker’s fifth field goal of the game, sealing a 29-27 victory for the Chargers. And this is the part most people miss—Herbert’s ability to stay calm under pressure wasn’t just luck; it was a masterclass in composure.
“He’s able to just mighty-man it and shake it off and hit Ladd McConkey,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, whose admiration for the play was palpable. “I’m going to remember that play until they throw dirt over top of me. That’s how great I feel about that.”
But let’s not forget the Dolphins’ fight. Down by 10 points in the fourth quarter, Miami rallied to take the lead when Tua Tagovailoa connected with Darren Waller for a 7-yard touchdown with just 46 seconds left. The stadium erupted, and for a moment, it seemed like the Dolphins had it in the bag. However, football is a game of inches, and sometimes, those inches don’t go your way.
Nyheim Hines gave the Chargers a fighting chance with a 40-yard kickoff return, setting them up at their own 41-yard line. On second-and-10, Herbert stepped up again, evading Jaelan Phillips and finding McConkey for a short pass that turned into a 23-yard gain. Dicker’s 33-yard field goal did the rest, snapping the Chargers’ two-game losing streak and leaving the Dolphins (1-5) reeling.
“The thing that was going through my mind was no sacks,” Herbert explained. “A race against time. I felt like I could stay up and get the ball off. I saw Ladd. He did a great job running across the middle and extending the play.” Harbaugh added, “Justin Herbert. I mean, he’s like Hercules out there.”
Herbert’s performance was nothing short of stellar, completing 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Ladd McConkey was his go-to target, hauling in seven catches for 100 yards and a TD. Meanwhile, Kimani Vidal, stepping up for the Chargers’ injured backfield, rushed 18 times for 124 yards and added a 7-yard touchdown catch.
For the Dolphins, it was a tale of missed opportunities. Tagovailoa threw for 205 yards but also had three interceptions, including one on Miami’s final possession that sealed their fate. “Shocked. Shocked,” Tagovailoa said afterward. “This is something that we’ve talked about collectively as a team, about being able to finish in games like this where we have the opportunity to win the game. And it’s not just one side of the ball. It’s every phase. I’ve contributed with the turnovers. ... It’s frustrating to say the least.”
The game was a rollercoaster from the start. The Chargers turned a four-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point lead in minutes, with Herbert’s TD throws coming in the second half. Their opening drive of the third quarter was a 13-play, 77-yard masterpiece that ended with McConkey’s touchdown, putting the Chargers ahead 16-13. Tagovailoa’s interception on the next drive led to Vidal’s score, extending the lead to 23-13.
Here’s a bold take: Could the Dolphins’ struggles be a coaching issue rather than a talent problem? Tagovailoa’s second three-turnover game of the season raises questions about the team’s ability to protect the ball under pressure. His first interception, which bounced out of Jaylen Waddle’s hands and into Tony Jefferson’s, set the tone for a day of missed chances.
Harbaugh drew an interesting parallel between football and boxing, saying, “I find so many similarities to boxing and football. Especially in the sense of man, your corner man asks you, ‘Can you go? Can you keep going?’ And it’s like, ‘Give me one more round. And give me one more series.’ ... Like boxing, it is a football fight every single week. And you’ve got two teams that were desperate for a win and playing their hearts out there. That’s the nature of the NFL. It’s diabolical that way.”
De'Von Achane was a bright spot for the Dolphins, rushing 16 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns, including a 49-yard sprint in the first quarter. His 4-yard run in the fourth brought Miami within six points, but it wasn’t enough. “To lose like that, it’s like, what more could we have done?” Achane said, echoing the frustration of his teammates.
At halftime, the Dolphins led 13-9 after their defense limited the Chargers to three field goals, despite Los Angeles’ struggles in the red zone. Tagovailoa’s two-minute drill was a highlight, culminating in Riley Patterson’s 27-yard field goal. Waddle’s 49-yard catch, though bobbled, was one of Miami’s few big plays of the season.
Looking ahead, the Chargers (4-2) host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday, while the Dolphins travel to Cleveland. But the real question remains: Can the Dolphins turn their season around, or is this just the beginning of a long, tough year? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
