Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jaylen Waddle Pick Up Where He Left Off?

Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jaylen Waddle Pick Up Where He Left Off?

We get a rematch from late last season between the Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers during the late afternoon window in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. It was a weird game last year, as Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had just returned from a couple of serious concussions, while Justin Herbert's cracked ribs suffered against the Chiefs in Week 2 put a noticeable limit on his production as a passer.

We're going to see the Dolphins' high-flying offense on full display. The same goes for the Chargers, who brought in OC Kellen Moore this offseason, which is expected to open up the downfield passing game for Herbert and a loaded Chargers wide receiving corps. Austin Ekeler dominated in 2022, so expect similar production in 2023, especially if Herbert's aggressive deep shots find wideouts Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer for plenty of touchdowns.

Miami's defense looks largely the same as a year ago when they ranked 24th in points allowed per game. The Chargers were also a bottom-12 defense in average points allowed per game, which is why oddsmakers have the point total set to 51 points at most sportsbooks. Tagovailoa and Herbert should be well-rested, healthy, and ready to roll at SoFi Stadium, while Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and rookie running back Devon Achane could pop in early to challenge the Chargers at home.

NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is here with his latest prediction, analysis, and best bet to make in an AFC interdivisional matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.

Dolphins vs. Chargers Start Time, Where To Watch, Odds

• Date: Sunday, September 10
• Game Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: CBS

Dolphins vs. Chargers Odds

• Spread: Dolphins +3 (-110), Chargers -3 (-105)
• Total Odds: O 51 (-106), U 51 (-110)
• Moneyline Odds: Dolphins (+140), Chargers (-160)

Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers Injury Report

Dolphins

Probable: OL Connor Williams (Knee), S Brandon Jones (Knee), OL Liam Eichenberg (Ribs), WR Jaylen Waddle (Abdominal), QB Mike White (Concussion), RB Devon Achane

Questionable: T Terron Armstead (Leg)

Out: RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (Abdominal), CB Jalen Ramsey (Knee),

Chargers

Questionable: N/A

Out: N/A

Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction

The injury report for Miami is significantly busier than the Chargers' injury report, which gives Los Angeles another leg up at home. Most of the Dolphins' offensive line is probable, while left tackle Terron Armstead is questionable, and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey won't be on the field due to a knee injury sustained after arriving in South Beach this offseason.

Jeff Wilson Jr., a veteran running back who popped in for a brief time in head coach Mike McDaniel's offense in 2022, is already on I.R., leaving Raheem Mostert and Achane, the rookie, along with Salvon Ahmed as the three available running backs. Don't forget about fullback Alec Ingold, who just signed a big contract extension this offseason. Fullbacks are an integral piece of the West Coast Shannahan offense that McDaniel schemes up in Miami, making key blocks and functioning as a quality receiving option out of the backfield.

Los Angeles should have no problem moving the football against the Dolphins, especially through the air under Moore's play-calling. Herbert has one of the strongest arms in the league and has his health fully restored, but the schematics of the new offense may catapult him atop the league.

Oddsmakers believe in the Chargers at home, laying three points as a home favorite while getting -160 odds consistently as moneyline favorites at sportsbooks. There's a reason for this, and it's due to Miami losing on the road against AFC opponents in six straight matchups, while the Chargers have won each of their last four season openers.

I like the player props market in this matchup, especially looking at Miami's wide receiving corps. All of the attention goes to Tyreek Hill, who set records during his first year as a member of the Dolphins in 2022, but Jaylen Waddle is quickly ascending into an elite wide receiver prospect opposite of Hill. He benefits from coverage while playing within McDaniel's quarterback-friendly scheme, setting Tagovailoa up with big passing lanes downfield off of play action.

Let's hop on the Jaylen Waddle anytime touchdown scorer prop at +170 on FanDuel Sportsbook. He only caught 2-of-4 targets for 31 yards in Week 14 at SoFi Stadium last year, but Waddle finished with eight touchdowns, scoring 67-yard and 84-yard receiving touchdowns in each of the games following Miami's road loss to the Chargers. He's a dynamic playmaker on the perimeter or featured in the slot, so let's wager a couple of units on Waddle's +170 anytime touchdown scorer prop at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers Pick

• Pick: Jaylen Waddle Anytime Touchdown Scorer +170 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick

NFL Odds

• Click here for Dolphins vs. Chargers odds
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• Click here for all NFL Week 1 game odds here