Dolphins vs. Chargers: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Miami Dolphins (0-3) are still searching for their first win of the season as they pay the San Diego Chargers (2-1) a visit on Sunday. The Dolphins lost on a last-minute touchdown pass last week against the Cleveland Browns while the Chargers picked up a 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Miami is scoring the sixth-least points per game in the NFL and is allowing the seventh-most. That's not a good recipe for success. The Dolphins are quickly falling out of the playoff race, especially with the surprising emergence of the Buffalo Bills.

The Chargers haven't played particularly well through the first three weeks. A soft schedule leading up to their Week 6 should help them avoid the slow start they've become accustomed to, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of room for improvement for San Diego.

Where: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif.

When: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4:15 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS

Listen: WINZ 940 AM (Miami) and XTRA 1360 AM (San Diego); Sirius Satellite Radio – XM 92 or Internet 861 (Miami) and XM 94 or Internet 863 (San Diego)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: San Diego -9

What's at Stake?

If there is any hope of the Dolphins being competitive this season, it has to start with a win in Week 4. They are already three games behind the Bills in the division and are slowly becoming a strong candidate in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Quarterback Chad Henne, who was booed by Miami fans during the early portion of training camp, is averaging 7.8 yards per pass and nearly 280 yards per game. Those numbers are good enough to win games, but his 57 percent completion rate and three interceptions mean there is still work to do.

As mentioned above, the Chargers have become known for early-season letdowns that force them to attempt a furious comeback in the season's final weeks. The schedule-makers did San Diego a favor this year by giving them some cupcakes in the first few weeks.

Philip Rivers, who was my preseason pick to win the MVP award, has thrown six interceptions already. So far this season, the Chargers have become more dependent on the pass than they were in 2010. That said, Rivers' decision-making will need to improve if he's going to be in the MVP discussion at season's end.

Dolphins' Injury Report

DL Tony McDaniel (doubtful), DB Vontae Davis (questionable), WR Roberto Wallace (questionable)

Chargers' Injury Report

DL Jacques Cesaire (out), DL Luis Castillo (out), Bob Sanders (doubtful), Antonio Gates (questionable), Quentin Jammer (questionable), Corey Liuget (questionable)

What They're Saying

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald posted a blog about the five Dolphins topics on his mind. One of the more interesting ones (and a sign that the prospects for this season are bleak) was his thoughts on which players are in their final season with Miami.

"

Vernon Carey, Will Allen, and possibly Paul Soliai because he's expecting a big payday after this year and the Dolphins might not be willing to meet his price -- as they've not been able to do in three separate contract offers since last October. Yup, three total offers aside from the franchise tag tender is what the team has put in front of Soliai's agent.

"

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune has been keeping fans updated about injured Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. He passes along some thoughts from Gates about having to decide what is the best course of action in the long term.

"

Gates said the issue comes down to committing to playing now and enduring the weekly pain and “cycle” of uncertainty over whether he will play or resting for another three to five weeks or longer and hoping that is enough so that when he comes back he can finish the season without interruption.

 

"

Dolphins Player to Watch: RB Daniel Thomas

The high hopes for Thomas began to fade after a disappointing training camp. He's rekindled those hopes, however, with back-to-back strong performances. The rookie out of Kansas State is outperforming starter Reggie Bush, who has faded since his opening week performance.

Chargers Player to Watch: TE Randy McMichael

If Gates continues to miss time with his bothersome plantar fascia issues, the Chargers will need McMichael to step up. He caught at least 60 passes in three straight seasons while with the Dolphins and, although he's lost a step or two, he can still be a nice red-zone target.

Key Matchup: Philip Rivers vs. Dolphins secondary

Miami's secondary has been torched to the tune of 311 yards per game and a league-high eight touchdowns so far and a meeting with Rivers isn't going to help its cause. If Rivers can exploit the many weaknesses in the unit, this game has to potential to become a blowout.

On the Hot Seat: Dolphins RB Reggie Bush

After acquiring him from the New Orleans Saints in the offseason, the Dolphins named Bush the starter and planned on giving him every opportunity to succeed in that role. Here we are about to enter Week 4 and Thomas is already becoming the main rushing option.

Bush has always been a weapon in the passing game and on special teams, but an every-down running back he is not. If the rookie has another strong outing and Bush doesn't do anything to impress the coaching staff, his playing time will be very limited moving forward.

It's his sixth season in the league and Bush has never become the dynamic, game-changing RB people were expecting after he left USC. Unless something changes quickly (and it probably won't), Bush will become the same specialist in Miami that he was with New Orleans.

Prediction: Chargers 31 Dolphins 20