Chargers stun Dolphins 36–30 as St-Juste’s pick-six ends Miami’s five-game win streak

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - The Los Angeles Chargers snapped Miami's five-game win streak with a late defensive dagger, beating the Dolphins 36-30 behind a locked-in performance from Justin Herbert and a game-sealing pick-six from Benjamin St-Juste. Herbert went 32-for-43 for 350 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, while St-Juste returned an interception 72 yards with three seconds left to put it on ice.

Fast start, explosive middle, dramatic finish

The Chargers jumped out 14-6 in the first quarter on Herbert TD passes to Najee Harris (5 yards) and Keenan Allen (3 yards). Miami surged ahead before halftime, 23-20, thanks to two scoring strikes from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle (6 and 10 yards) and an 80-yard lightning bolt to Tyreek Hill, plus a 46-yard field goal from Riley Patterson. Miami pushed the lead to 30-23 late in the third on a 12-yard scoring run by De'Von Achane, but Herbert answered with a 9-yard TD to Quentin Johnston at 1:14 (two-point try failed). St-Juste's 72-yard return with :03 left delivered the final margin.

Herbert dices, McConkey breaks loose

Herbert spread it around all day, finding rookie Ladd McConkey seven times for 132 yards and Johnston seven times for 79 yards and a score; Allen added eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. "We wanted to stay patient underneath and take the shot when it was clean," Herbert said. "Our guys separated and the protection held up." Kicker Cameron Dicker was perfect, drilling field goals from 48, 44 and 29 yards and hitting all three PATs.

Miami's firepower wasn't enough

Tagovailoa posted 353 yards (27-of-39) with three touchdowns (one interception). Hill exploded for 162 yards and a score on six receptions; Waddle added two TDs (4/59), and Achane gave Miami balance with 67 rushing yards and a TD plus 7/45 as a receiver. "We had answers most of the day," Tagovailoa said, "but their rush timed up late and we couldn't finish the last two drives." Jaelan Phillips led a four-sack Miami front with two; Bradley Chubb and Zach Sieler added one each, while Minkah Fitzpatrick broke up two passes on the back end. "We played with edge, we just didn't close," Dolphins coach Sean Nguyen said. "Turnovers swing games, and that last one can't happen."

Hidden yards and the one that got away

The Dolphins out-gained L.A. 419-408 in offensive yards (353 passing, 66 rushing for Miami; 324 passing, 84 rushing for LAC), but the Chargers won situational ball: 5-for-13 on third down and 2-for-2 on fourth, with 5 red-zone trips producing three TDs and a field goal. Patterson was 3-for-4 on extra points-his early miss loomed late-while Dicker stayed perfect. "Every point matters," Nguyen said. "We'll clean up the details and get back to work."

What they said

"Coach told us all week to finish," St-Juste said of his clinching interception. "When the ball came, I just trusted my eyes and went." "Proud of our response," Herbert added. "Teams don't come in here and win if you blink. We kept swinging." Hill on the 80-yard bomb: "When Tua puts it out there, I'm gone. That's just trust."

By the numbers

Chargers (now 3-3) - Herbert 350 yards, 3 TD; McConkey 7/132; Dicker 3 FGs; defense 1 INT (St-Juste, TD). Dolphins (now 5-1) - Tagovailoa 353 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; Hill 6/162/1; Waddle 4/59/2; Achane 14 rush, 67 yards, TD.

Up Next

The Dolphins head to Cleveland to face the Browns in Week 7. The Chargers return home to host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.