2. Alohi Gilman
What made the Chargers' defensive efforts against the Dolphins even more impressive was the fact that the team did it without Derwin James, Bryce Callahan and Sebastian Joseph-Day. This was already one of the worst defenses in the sport that was playing without three impact starters. The team needed several players to step up.
That is exactly what Alohi Gilman did getting the start in place of Derwin James. Gilman was targeted just one time in the game, on the first play of the game, and made a key pass break-up against Tyreek Hill. After that, Gilman simply played a key role in the team's design to take away the middle of the field for the Dolphins.
Gilman also nearly had the play that could have swung this came into blowout territory. Gilman forced a fumble that could have given the Chargers the ball back in Miami territory with a chance to take a big lead. Instead, the ball squirted around to Hill, who scored the most improbable touchdown of the season.
That does not change the fact that it was a nice play by Gilman, who has stepped up and played well in every single chance he has gotten this season. Gilman has received two other starts this season before the Miami game. Against the Browns, he secured the game-winning interception in the endzone and against the Cardinals he finished with 10 combined tackles.
With Nasir Adderley's struggles this season, it is time to give Gilman a bigger role on defense as he has proven he can be a difference-maker when he is on the field.