Dolphins vs Chargers Odds Preview: Betting For Scoregasms

There Should Be A Lot of Scoring or this Game Stinks

September 7, 2023 249 3 minutes readNFL Picks & Parlays

Dolphins vs Chargers Odds Preview: Betting For Scoregasms — Rich Storry/Getty Images/AFP

The Dolphins-Chargers Total is the Most of Week 1
We Will Not Keep Tagovailoa’s Name Out
Herbert Ready to Supercharge the Chargers

The Dolphins-Chargers Total is the Most of Week 1

If the 51.5-point total is any indication, this Dolphins-Chargers game is supposed to light it up. You’ve got two of the NFL’s most explosive offenses going toe-to-toe while their defenses leave much to be desired. In this potential shootout, the books also favor the Chargers by a field goal (-3). But if you still can’t tell by our headlines, the Dolphins vs Chargers odds should be all about the total.

Dolphins vs Chargers

Day/Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

We Will Not Keep Tagovailoa’s Name Out

Ryan Clark may not believe in Tua Tagovailoa. But we do. The Dolphins averaged 25.5 points per road game in 2022, which ranked 4th, mostly thanks to the quarterback. Tagovailoa threw 17 of his 25 touchdowns on the road and he also had a better passer rating (107.2) than he did at home (103.4). That’s why 80% of Miami’s road games went over the total (8-2), which is the highest ratio last year.

The question on everyone’s mind is if Tagovailoa is “okay”. His concussions overshadowed his prolific campaign. And if we take reports at face value, Tagovailoa should be ready.

“If I worried about stuff that could possibly happen … I’d be spending a lot of time worrying about something that probably, by statistics, didn’t happen,” coach Mike McDaniel said in regards to Tagovailoa’s health. “I’m very confident because he hasn’t wasted a day in getting ready for the season.”

With Tagovailoa in the lineup, Miami can light up the NFL score. But on defense, the team tends to give up a lot and averaged 23.5 points against in 2022 (24th). That’s why Miami hired defensive mastermind Vic Fangio on top of acquiring key veterans like Jalen Ramsey (who is injured).

Under Fangio, defenses have finished in the top 10 in scoring in four of the last five seasons he coached. And in 2021, his team, the Broncos, led the NFL with 70.6% of their games going under the total (5-12).

If the Dolphins’ offense stays hot while Fangio whips up the defense, this team may just do better on the NFL point spreads. But if the ‘D’ stays impotent, these Dolphins vs Chargers odds’ totals will go over.

Herbert Ready to Supercharge the Chargers

Don’t call us Justin Herbert stans. But the fourth-year quarterback could be in for an Offensive Player of the Year type of season. He’s a big reason why Dolphins vs Chargers odds favor his team and a total over 50 points. If these lines prove accurate, the Chargers will outduel the Dolphins like a Michael Bay movie – all action, hold the critical thinking.

This is not to say the Chargers are all flash with no substance. In fact, the reason why Herbert could light up the league is due to the players around him. The Bolts have one of the best offensive lines with three studly receivers, an all-world running back, and a brilliant play caller in Kellen Moore.

The Chargers may have a knack for “Chargering” – defined as finding inexplicable ways to disappoint – but the offense could still go nuts. This team did score the fifth-most points just two seasons ago. It did disappoint, somewhat, last season with a 13th-placed finish (23 a game). The totals also went under 58.8% of the time (7-10-1) during Chargers games.

But we’re into the second season under Moore’s offense now. Herbert and co. should be more familiar. And the addition of Quentin Johnston, a homerun hitter of a receiver, further raises the ceiling of this team.

With an even more potent offense, fans can bank on the Chargers to push totals to go over. We’re just not sure if that also translates to a higher NFL standing. It is the Chargers after all.

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