Week 3: Chargers vs Dolphins

Game 3 for the San Diego Chargers has the 0-2 Miami Dolphins coming to town. The Dolphins had a surprise, turn-around, storybook season last year and were hoping the foundation was laid for this season but so far it has been a tough start for them.

The Dolphins, last week had the ball for almost three quarters of the game, yet lost. The Dolphins, to me, appears to be a team that is similar to the Chargers. They have an offense that can generate plays and drives to move the ball up and down the field but the defense will be unable to help maintain any lead, regardless of how much time is on the clock.

This week has me almost repeating the same areas of concern I have for the Chargers that they need to remedy from last week or else success will be a much harder path for them not just this game but this entire season. First, same as last week. They have yet to establish the running game. Tomlinson hasn't practiced at all this week and remains questionable for this week's game. L.T. says he will remain sidelined until he is 100% healthy and there is no need to rush back because of the play of Sproles and Bennett. I will agree that Sproles has picked up any slack from LT being absent but Bennett and the running game thus far has been non-existent. Secondly the pass defense and specifically the pass rush...2 weeks and 2 sacks, that is all the Charger pass rush has to show. This last week, though, Merriman did almost get to Flacco which did lead to an interception but for the most part there was very little pressure on the Ravens' QB.

The Dolphins, of course, are in love with the "Wildcat" offense which had respectable gains against the Colts... I continue to contend that the Wildcat is a gimmick offense that a properly trained NFL defense should be able to defend against. I recall in preseason that there was much buzz in Charger camps because they had ran a few plays but the word from the coaches was that was for the defense more than for the offense...so I am guessing that Ron Rivera has had a plan for the Wildcat for some time...we'll see if it pans out for him this weekend.

Another big storyline for the Chargers is injuries...it has become an all too frequent topic for the Chargers and sometimes the byline to as to why the Chargers can't ever break through. Jamal Williams, pro-bowl nose tackle, out for the season, Nick Hardwick, starting center, out for 2 months and I've already commented on the status of LT...I would guess inactive this Sunday...then add in Merriman plus the others that haven't practiced this week (9 total)...the squad is looking as if the season has already worn on for some time.

The Chargers signed Alfonso Boone to help give some depth on the defensive line...a veteran player who was last with Kansas City.

I think this will be a tough win for either team...the Chargers because they are already aching for the bye week and really need to get a home win to energize the local fan base. The Dolphins certainly don't want to start 0-3 on the season and they have yet to face a divisional foe so you know their season won't be getting any easier. If the Chargers are going to win then the Charger defense has got to make some plays and stop the Dolphins. The Chargers are getting into too many 'close' games where the margin for error is its smallest. The Dolphins have had problems with good tight ends, Dallas Clark and Tony Gonzales both had big days...could be an indicator that Gates might have a busy day this Sunday. Norv Turner seems to do a great job of playcalling for 90 yards of the field and then when the Chargers get inside the 10 the Chargers can't find a play that can score...if anything should show improvement, I am hoping that facet of the Chargers game does.

I think this is a winnable game for the Chargers but still isn't the end of the world if they don't...