Watch: Chargers DB's foolish penalty leads to three points for Dolphins

A play later, Jason Sanders nailed a 41-yard field goal with zeros on the clock, sending the Dolphins into the locker room with a gifted three-point lead, 20-17. 

It's hard to understand what was going through Jackson's head when the ball was in the air. It's even harder to fathom why he decided to push Ezukanma, who wasn't a threat to catch the pass and, even if he did, was still 20 yards away from paydirt. 

Things didn't get better for Jackson in the second half. After the Chargers responded, taking a four-point lead, 24-20, Jackson was victimized by wideout Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins' explosive playmaker toasted Jackson, burning him for a 35-yard score.     

With most starters throughout the league getting their first taste of real-game action since last season in Week 1, play early on is routinely sloppy. So much so that football fans and teams alike have come to accept it as a necessary evil, understanding that while players adjust and fight through the usual hiccups, uncharacteristic mistakes, much like Jackson's, will happen. 

Though, for Jackson, he's only hoping that Sunday's contest doesn't end with the Chargers behind by three points.