Dolphins’ Dec. 11 game vs. Chargers flexed to ‘Sunday Night Football’ slot
The NFL has flexed the Dolphins’ Week 14 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers to NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” slot, adding another prime-time game to Miami’s schedule.
The league on Tuesday night announced the Dec. 11 matchup will replace the previously scheduled Chiefs-Broncos game. Kickoff is set for 8:20 pm at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It’s the first time the Dolphins have been flexed into the “Sunday Night Football” slot since flex scheduling began in 2006.
The decision to move the Dolphins into the prime-time stage is a nod to the ascending appeal of Miami, which is 8-3, in first place in the AFC East and the AFC’s No. 2 seed. Miami is on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Behind a breakout season from third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, first-year head coach Mike McDaniel and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
“It speaks volumes that our game got flexed to the hard work that our team has put in, and it’s starting to pay off,” Tagovailoa said. “But we’re focused on the game that we have to go out and play this week, which is the 49ers. So, we’ll focus on that and worry about it next week.”
The game will be the second head-to-head matchup between Tagovailoa and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, the No. 5 and No. 6 overall picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, respectively. The two have been compared frequently since entering the league. Herbert won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and set many passing records in his first two seasons, while Tagovailoa struggled at times.
But with an improved supporting cast and offensive scheme, Tagovailoa currently leads the NFL in passer rating and is one of the favorites to win this year’s Most Valuable Player Award. The Dolphins won the last meeting with the Chargers, a 29-21 victory on Nov. 15, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Chargers are 6-5 and in second place in the AFC West. Los Angeles is the ninth seed in the AFC but one game out of the third and final wild-card spot.
The Chargers game is the second of three consecutive road matchups for the Dolphins in December, following a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The stretch of road games concludes with a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills in a matchup that could also be placed on the prime-time stage.
The game is one of five that are eligible for a Saturday triple-header. The other two will be moved to Sunday afternoon. Each game is also permitted to be moved to the Sunday night slot, currently occupied by Patriots-Raiders.
The Dolphins have played in two prime-time games this season. They lost a Week 4 road game against the Cincinnati Bengals 27-15 on “Thursday Night Football.” It was Miami’s first loss after a 3-0 start. Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion and was sidelined for the next two weeks.
Tagovailoa made his return for a Week 7 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday
Night Football.” The Dolphins won 16-10 and it started Miami’s current five-game winning streak. The Dolphins are 8-1 with Tagovailoa as a starter this season.
Miami will also host the Green Bay Packers on Christmas in a stand-alone game.
Flex scheduling begins Sunday of Week 5 and is in effect through Week 18. Up to two games may be flexed into Sunday night between Weeks 5-10 and only Sunday afternoon games can be moved into the Sunday night slot. The announcement must come no later than 12 days prior to the game.
The NFL may also announce games moving to 4:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m.
TACKLES MISS PRACTICE
Dolphins starting offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson didn’t practice Wednesday because of injuries, as the team begins preparation for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.
McDaniel said he is not expecting Jackson to play after he injured his ankle in the team’s win over the Houston Texans. McDaniel previously said that while it was the same ankle that kept Jackson out for several weeks on injured reserve, it was not the same injury. Jackson, who was playing in his first game at right tackle since Week 1, sustained a high ankle sprain in the season opener.
As for Armstead, who left the Texans game with a reported Grade 2 pectoral strain — also known as a partial tear — McDaniel said the veteran left tackle would not need surgery for the injury. McDaniel did not rule out Armstead for the 49ers game and characterized him as “game to game.” Armstead was also sidelined from practice by his lingering toe injury.
“Terron Armstead continues to impress me as an individual, a professional and a teammate,” McDaniel said. “I can tell you one thing that I’m certain of: If there’s a way that he can be on the field and play in December against a playoff team, he lives for that moment. And as long as there’s nothing keeping him from hurting his team or himself, he’ll be out there.
“But you can rest assured that he’ll do everything possible. And if he’s unable to go, it’ll be because it would put himself and his teammates in harm’s way.”
MORE INJURY UPDATES
Outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (vet rest) and running back Myles Gaskin (shoulder/ankle) also didn’t practice.
Inside linebacker Jerome Baker (hip), quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee), defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (knee) and running back
Raheem Mostert (knee) were limited.
McDaniel said he expects Mostert to play Sunday after he missed the Texans game because of a knee injury.
“I’m definitely ready to go,” Mostert told reporters.
Tagovailoa was listed as a full participant with an ankle injury. Cornerback
Kader Kohou (thumb), offensive lineman Robert Jones (back), cornerback
Keion Crossen (shoulder) and tight end Tanner Conner (knee) were also full participants.