Dolphins to face tough test at home against Chargers

Miami hosts San Diego Sunday at 1 pm

This Sunday the Dolphins face off against one of the most talented teams in the AFC. With the Chargers’ record only at .500 (2-2), Miami cannot expect to sneak by San Diego due to a Charger let down. While LaDainian Tomlinson has been slowed by injuries to start the season, Philip Rivers and the rest of San Diego’s passing game has picked up the slack. Miami’s defense will need a repeat performance from a couple weeks ago in Foxboro in order to slow down the Chargers vaunted attack. The Dolphins must contain big play threats such as Tomlinson, Chris Chambers, Antonio Gates and Darren Sproles as they did Randy Moss and Wes Welker against the Patriots. Rivers however, will most likely present a much larger problem for the Dolphins secondary than did Matt Cassell, so pressure on the quarterback will again be an essential key to victory. The Chargers offense presents a variety of matchup problems, especially due to Gates and Sproles, whom often line up against linebackers and use their speed and agility to create separation and provide big plays. While limiting large gains in the passing game is an important task for Miami, their primary concern still should be focused on stopping the Chargers ground game. Tomlinson almost seems due for a breakout performance, providing his troublesome toe is healthy.

On offense, the Dolphins must establish the run or they could face serious trouble against a San Diego team which tallied 6 sacks last week against the Oakland Raiders. A successful running attack on Sunday may be easier said than done, as stalwart nose tackle Jamal Williams is beginning to return to his Pro Bowl form after struggling early in the season with injuries. Second year starting center Samson Satele will probably face his toughest assignment of the season in Williams. Look for San Diego to stack the box and play aggressive man to man coverage with cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer. It will be essential for Miami’s receivers to successfully get off the line scrimmage and maintain their timing with Pennington. Otherwise, it could be an ugly afternoon for the Dolphin offense.

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San Diego is perhaps the most talented team in the AFC, even without star hybrid linebacker-defensive end Shawn Merriman. However, the Chargers will have flown across the entire country to Dolphins Stadium and just last week needed a high powered fourth quarter in order to beat the tumultuous Raiders last week. Nonetheless, it is unlikely Miami will be able to rely again this week on the Wildcat formation for big plays on offense and therefore must prove that they can create points on offense without smoke and mirrors. The Dolphins will most likely be forced to make a few big plays in the passing game or on special teams in order to win on Sunday.

San Diego 23 - Miami 16

By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Miami Dolphins Correspondent