Dolphins vs. Chargers: Miami Grades, Notes and Quotes

Pride wasn't enough of a motivator for the Miami Dolphins, who slipped to 5-9 thanks to a 30-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

The Dolphins lost not just a game, but also key players due to injury along the offensive line. For the final quarter Miami was playing with an offensive line composed of two non-starters at tackle, a center who had only played two previous games at the position, Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner. 

The game was missing effort from Miami's side, while the Chargers approached the game like a playoff contest knowing that it could be their final game in San Diego. 

Thanks to the Dolphins' ineptitude and passionless play, the Chargers were able to say goodbye to their San Diego fans in style, assuming it's the last time they play in front of them. 

Here's a look back at a game that you'd rather forget. 

Positional Grades for Miami

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Quarterback - C-

This wasn't all Ryan Tannehill's fault, but it's not like he was superb out there. 

Tannehill had his share of garbage time stats, completing 20 of 34 passes for 216 yards while running for a touchdown. 

He also didn't turn the ball over and was sacked only three times despite the mess of an offensive line protecting him. 

Despite all of that, and a super-vanilla game plan, I can't say Tannehill was very good. His throws were kept short, and when they weren't, they were well off-target. He did net two big completions to DeVante Parker; however, those completions came due to Parker's skill. 

Running Backs - D

Considering that the Chargers were atrocious against the run coming into the game, you'd expect better than 2.3 yards per carry. 

That's what Miami's running backs did. Kudos to Jay Ajayi for his first NFL touchdown (and a good day for him considering the small number of carries as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry on six carries), but Lamar Miller disappointed with his nine carries, gaining only 12 yards. 

Wide Receivers - C

Parker was excellent, save for a drop early in the game, with four catches for 87 yards. Jarvis Landry was again the focal point of the offense thanks to eight catches, but he gained only 54 yards. 

Tight Ends - F

The most wasteful position on the Dolphins continues to be a waste of time, thanks to Dion Sims and Jordan Cameron combining for two catches and 14 yards. Neither was targeted more than once, and their blocking, while needed greatly, was lacking. 

Offensive Line - F

In fairness to Miami's offensive line, it tried. 

The line didn't do well, especially after losing its starting left tackle and starting center, but the linemen tried their best. 

It was just an abject failure. 

Blame the front office for this, as it's been known that depth was needed along the offensive line, and they have put plenty of resources (draft picks, free-agent money) into the line. Despite that, the team's still failed to build and nurture it. 

Defensive Line - F

The Chargers run game had been non-existent this season, but leave it to the Dolphins defense to kick it into gear. 

Chargers running backs ran for 140 yards against Miami, while Philip Rivers was only sacked once. The Dolphins defensive line wasn't very active on Sunday, with the thoughts of "quit" written on their faces. 

Linebackers - F

The Chargers knew they were going up against a very bad Dolphins linebacking crew and took advantage by utilizing Danny Woodhead to terrorize Kelvin Sheppard. 

Defensive Backs - F

Miami's defensive backs were responsible for two of the best plays of the afternoon; unfortunately one of those best plays turned into one of the worst. 

Other than that, it was not a good performance, with Philip Rivers picking on Bobby McCain (and winning),  while San Diego receivers had their way all over the field. 

Special Teams - B

At least Matt Darr punted the ball well, while Andrew Franks kicked the ball off well and made his extra points. 

Punt coverage was very good too. Overall it was a good game for Miami's special teams. 

Coaching - F

I know this coaching staff has little to no experience, but at times they coach like they have "little to know" experience. 

The play-calling was extremely vanilla, as you could set your watch to what plays the defense would do based off how they lined up, while the offense's idea of a rhythm is calling the same plays on first, second and third down every play. 

Atrocious effort all around.

Jay Ajayi Scores His First NFL Touchdown

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

There are few good things to talk about with this game. 

One of the few good ones: Jay Ajayi. 

Ajayi ran for 27 yards on six carries, including his first NFL touchdown. He also had one catch for 15 yards. 

Ajayi could be auditioning for next season, when he could be Miami's featured running back. 

Mike Pouncey's Season Might Be Done

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

In the third quarter, Miami's offensive line became decimated, losing their last starter, center Mike Pouncey. 

Pouncey was carted off with a foot injury, and Chris Perkins of the Sun-Sentinel speculates that the injury could end Pouncey's season. 

Per Perkins, Dan Campbell stated: "I would say B.A. (Albert) looks better than Pouncey right now." Albert was also hurt, but according to Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post, Albert stated he'd be fine. 

For the rest of the season, both players should sit out. There's nothing to really play for, and a bad injury now could cause them to miss next season. 

Dolphins' Draft Pick Watch

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

No playoffs for the Dolphins, which means it's time to talk draft order. 

With their loss to the San Diego Chargers, the Dolphins are 5-9, which would put them in the eighth spot of this year's NFL draft. 

A Detroit Lions win over the New Orleans Saints would move Miami to the seventh pick and would move the team to one loss behind the third pick. 

Conceivably, thanks to the Dolphins having the worst strength of schedule in the NFL, the Dolphins can still get the No. 1 pick; however, they'll have to lose their final two games while all the teams in front of them win their final two.

It's a long shot, but it is a possibility. 

"You Lose 3 Guys If You Include Ja'Wuan and It's Tough"

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

The Dolphins offensive line was atrocious again on Sunday, but this time around you can blame injuries. 

Branden Albert was hurt first, but he appears to be ok, with Albert telling Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post "I'll be fine" and Dan Campbell saying that Albert "looks better than Pouncey right now," per Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post. 

As for Pouncey, as explained earlier, it's speculated that his season is over. 

It's been tough on Ryan Tannehill, who explained his displeasure, per Habib: "You lose 3 guys if you include Ja'Wuan and it's tough." 

I would suggest that none of those three players play at all the rest of the season. 

"The Effort Wasn't the Problem Today."

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

I had a major problem with Miami's effort today. 

I didn't see any fire or passion, nor did I see any real sense of motivation in anyone's play. 

Interim coach Dan Campbell was watching a different game, based on these comments, per Antwan V. Staley of the Palm Beach Post. 

"The effort wasn't the problem today."

I'm wondering what he saw, as the Dolphins came out flat. 

The offense didn't get going until the second half, with the run game being stuffed early and often. On defense, the line got little to no push, which made the line's more suspect units look even worse. 

I can accept when the team plays poorly, as can most Dolphins fans. Some Dolphins fans might actually have preferred that they lose this game, and they got their wish. 

But Campbell shouldn't insult our intelligence by insisting that this team put forth any effort. It didn't. 

On to the next game against the Indianapolis Colts. 

Statistics provided by NFL.com.