Toothless Chargers Side Step The Miami Dolphins

Ian Philip by Analyst Written on September 27, 2009
SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 27:  Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Kevin Burnett #99 of the San Diego Chargers after a rushing gain during first quarter of the NFL football game as at Qualcomm Stadium on September 27, 2009 in San Diego, California.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

On Sunday, the San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers' 40 yard bombs turned the Miami Dolphins' "Wildcat Offense" into the "Fraidey Cat."

After Dolphin's quarterback Chad Pennington jammed his throwing shoulder in the second half, the Chargers were all but assured a win. Forced to pass in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins were exposed as a team that is no threat to pass - especially when Chad Pennington is not in the game.

In regards to the running game, the Chargers repeatedly let Miami off the hook with runs by Sproles up the middle.

Folks, those plays aren't going anywhere and everybody knows it.

The Chargers are lucky that the Dolphins' made the following mistakes:

  1. Ronnie Brown and Chad Pennington bungled a snap at the Chargers' one yard line, and the Chargers fans gleefully watched the ball bounce (along with a Dolphins offensive lineman) out of the back of the end zone.
  2. The Dolphins tried to get too cute by trying to throw on their second drive of the game; first of the second quarter, and promptly got stuffed. The Chargers defense was never going to stop the Wildcat rushing attack.
  3. Will Allen made a couple of mental errors. The biggest bungle was the pass interference on Bolt wide receiver, Vincent Jackson, on third down. The penalty allowed San Diego to continue their drive that ended in a field goal and a ten point fourth quarter lead with backup quarterback Chad Henne in the game.
  4. Later on in the same drive, Jason Taylor just missed snagging an interception that would have likely resulted in a touchdown. That was less a mistake, and more just missing a Hall of Fame caliber play from Taylor.
  5. Henne's fourth quarter interception, which was returned by Eric Weddle for his first NFL touchdown.                                                                                                              

Throughout the game, Norv Turner's play calling was atrocious. Predictably, the Chargers started their first drive with a run right up the middle for no gain.

This season, the red zone has been a nightmare for the Chargers, as they made it to the Dolphins 20 yard line five times, and just came away with one touchdown.

That's horrible.

Finally, Rivers finally took matters into his own hands and ran one in for a touchdown from the five yard line.

One thing's for sure, for next week's prime-time game in Pittsburgh, you can expect the Chargers to fill the air with football's.

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written on September 27, 2009 Game Recap

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