Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins Picks and Prediction, Sunday, October 12th, 2025

In this Chargers at Dolphins prediction, the Chargers head to the Southeast coast to battle the Dolphins in Miami. The Chargers come in with a record of 3-2, but have dropped two straight games. The Dolphins are off to a disappointing start with just one win in their first five games. The opening kick is scheduled for 1:00 pm EST. If you need quality winners, this is the ultimate site for NFL Picks.

Chargers trying to stop skid

The Los Angeles Chargers will attempt to end their two-game skid on Sunday when they visit the Dolphins. After starting the season 3-0, the Chargers lost back-to-back games to NFC East opponents, including a 27-10 loss to the visiting Washington Commanders on Sunday. The Chargers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but were shut out the rest of the way.

“We've got to tighten up the operation in every way,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said.

The Chargers jumped out to a 10-0 lead barely five minutes into this game. Things quickly started to unravel after that. Quentin Johnson fumbled after a 19-yard reception, putting an end to a promising drive. For the second straight week, the Chargers committed at least 10 penalties in a contest after being the least penalized team over the first three weeks of the season. Herbert finished the game 22-of-29 for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was under fire all game, sacked four times. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 60 yards on four carries. Starting running back Omarion Hampton had 44 yards rushing on 12 carries, but was injured in the game. He will be out for at least four weeks after being placed on injured reserve.

The Chargers’ defense got off to a fast start but couldn’t hold down the Commanders’ potent offense for long. Troy Dye led the Chargers with 11 tackles, three for loss. Justin Eboigbe had the team’s lone sack in the game and had seven tackles overall. The Chargers allowed 389 yards of total offense to the Commanders. They forced one turnover in the game and allowed the Commanders to convert on 3-of-5 red zone opportunities.

The Chargers are ranked just 25th in the NFL in points per game. They are sixth on the ground, although that number could suffer with the loss of Hampton. The Chargers are 10th in passing thus far, but just 30th in red zone offense. They have not protected Herbert well with so many injuries to the team’s offensive line. The Chargers rank 29th in sacks allowed. Defensively, the team is sixth in points allowed this season. The Chargers are 27th against the run and fourth against the pass. The defense has been tough in the red zone, ranked second in the NFL in red zone defense. The Chargers are also sixth in the league in sacks. They have dropped to 17th in the league in penalty yards per game, 23rd in turnover margin, and eighth in time of possession.

Key Injuries: RB Omarion Hampton, WR Derius Davis, OT Joe Alt, CB Ja’Sir Taylor, and WR Quentin Johnson are questionable. LB Denzel Perryman is out.

Bills still perfect

The Miami Dolphins seemed well on their way to their second win of the season last Sunday in Charlotte. They led the Panthers 17-0 nearly halfway through the first half. The Dolphins’ lead was cut to 17-10 by halftime, and after a late scoring drive gave them back the lead, the Dolphins watched the Panthers march down the field for the go-ahead touchdown. The Dolphins couldn’t respond in the game’s final two minutes, falling 27-24.

Said Miami coach Mike McDaniel: “I think we were outgained by 200 yards in the run game. That is not good enough. You’ll rarely win — if ever.”

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faired well in his first game playing without star wideout Tyreek Hill, who was lost for the season with a knee injury last week. Tagovailoa finished 27-of-36 for 256 yards and three touchdown passes, including one to tight end Darren Waller, who now has three touchdowns in his first two games back from injury. The Dolphins’ running attack never got started, finishing with just 19 yards in the game. Miami was 6-of-14 on third and fourth down conversions.

The Dolphins’ defense allowed 418 yards of total offense to the Panthers. They were particularly gouged on the ground, allowing 239 yards on the ground, for a 7.6 yards per carry average. The Dolphins had three sacks in the game and forced one turnover. Jordyn Brooks led the Dolphins with 13 tackles in the game.

The Dolphins are 21st in the NFL in scoring offense. They are 19th in rushing and 21st in passing. The team is 13th in red zone efficiency and is ranked 17th in sacks allowed per game this season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins are ranked 27th in points allowed per game. They are 31st against the run and 16th against the pass. The Fins’ defense ranks 9th in red zone efficiency. They are 17th in sacks per game. The Dolphins are 15th in turnover margin and just 29th in the league in time of possession.

Key Injuries: WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., LB Tyrel Dodson, QB Tua Tagovailoa, TE Darren Waller, and S Elijah Campbell are all questionable.

Chargers at Dolphins Pick

Point Spread Pick for Chargers vs. Dolphins 

• Dolphins +5.5 (4 units)

The Dolphins came out hot against the Panthers in Carolina last week, scoring the game’s first 17 points. They’ll now face a Chargers team that is banged up, particularly on the offensive line. That impacted the ground game this week with Hampton, before getting hurt, who only got 44 yards rushing. Hasaan Haskins takes over as the starting running back this week with both Hampton and Harris on IR. Coupled with the injuries on the offensive line, don’t expect a big day from the Chargers’ rushing attack. That should allow the Dolphins to focus on the Chargers’ 10th-ranked passing attack. The Chargers, after scoring 20 or more points in all three wins, have scored a total of 28 points during this two-game losing streak. Things won’t be any easier this week without the threat of the run. The Dolphins should have the edge in red zone scoring on Sunday. They rank 13th in red zone offense, while the Chargers are just 30th. The Chargers have also been hampered by turnovers, ranking 23rd in the league in turnover margin. On the road, in the Eastern time zone, this could make all the difference. I’m taking the points with the home team.

Take the Dolphins +5.5

Over/Under Pick for Chargers vs. Dolphins 

• Under 43.5  (4 units)

The Chargers have now gone under the total in four of their five games this season. With a depleted offensive line and backfield, points will be hard to come by again this week. The Dolphins are less explosive without Hill in the lineup. The defense has also shown improvement. After allowing over 30 points in each of their first three games, the Dolphins have kept teams under 30 in each of the last two games.

Take the under 43.5