Chargers Improve to 3-1 Against Dolphins

Final Score: Chargers 26 – Dolphins 16

Week four in the NFL saw the Miami Dolphins come to town to take on the Chargers. Miami came in with an 0-3 record, but last week’s uneasy win ensured that no Charger fan took this game for granted. The Dolphins proved to be a worthy opponent in what was something of a back and forth game.

After going three and out on the opening possession, the Chargers appeared to take control of the game when Marcus Gilchrist came down with his first interception in the NFL. Gilchrist was playing in place of the injured Quentin Jammer. The Bolts would not take advantage of the turnover though, and would punt back to the Dolphins after another three and out.

The next drive saw all the momentum shift to Miami as they steadily marched down the field. Starting quarterback Chad Henne was injured on the drive, but backup Matt Moore did not give anyone a chance to second guess him as he completed a 31 yard pass on his first attempt. The Dolphins would complete the drive when running back Lex Hilliard found the end zone on a one yard run.

Any momentum that was gained by Miami on that drive was halted shortly after. Phillip Rivers completed a long pass to a diving Vincent Jackson, who had the presence of mind to get up before any defenders reached him and sprint to the end zone to complete a 55 yard touchdown play.

The next Dolphins possession would be their least dramatic yet as it went six plays and resulted in a punt.

Rivers and Jackson continued to prove an explosive combination on the next San Diego drive as they hooked up twice for 53 yards. Former San Diego State Aztec Vincent Brown got his first NFL reception on the drive with a six yard grab. The drive was capped by a 27 yard Nick Novak field goal and the Chargers had the lead at 10-7.

Each side would add a field goal before the half and the Chargers went in to the locker room up 13-10.

The second half started with the Dolphins receiving the ball and being held to a three and out. They punted to the Chargers who began their second touchdown drive of the afternoon. Rivers completed a 20 yard pass to Brown and a 42 yard pass to Ryan Mathews, and Mike Tolbert dove into the end zone for a one yard score.

The Chargers found themselves leading by 10 and appeared to be in position to put the game away when Eric Weddle intercepted Moore on the next drive. The interception was nullified by pass interference, however, and Miami continued the drive which ended in their second field goal of the afternoon.

The Chargers answered quickly with a drive that included rushes of 20 and 13 yards by Ryan Mathews. Mathews led the way for the rushing attack with 81 yards on 16 carries. Nick Novak capped the drive once again with a 23 yard field goal. Overall, Novak was four for four on the day with a long of 48. Whatever Nick Novak learned in his stay in the UFL seems to have stuck as he has not missed a field goal yet.

The Chargers and Dolphins went back and forth one last time by trading field goals in the fourth quarter. The Chargers had a 10 point lead and needed to stop Miami. The Dolphins picked up a first down, but were then intercepted by Eric Weddle again. The pick would stand this time. That gave the ball back to the Chargers who were able to run out the clock and hold on for the win.

Although the Chargers did not manhandle the Dolphins by any means, they put up a consistent effort and controlled the game for the most part. They out-gained Miami 411 to 248 total, and got two turnovers while not giving any away. They appeared to be allowing Miami to hang around in the second half, but Weddle’s pick and the ensuing first down finished them off.

It was notable that linebacker Larry English had two sacks on the day. English was drafted in the first round in the 2009 draft, but has not accomplished much or even seen the field on many occasions since then. He displayed why he was chosen in the first round with today’s effort, and he could be a key member of the defense down the stretch if he keeps it up.

Also notable was that Rivers had his first game without an interception this season. He was 21 of 31 with 307 yards and a touchdown. He completed passes to seven different receivers throughout the game. The Phillip Rivers we saw today is what everyone is accustomed to, and Charger fans should expect to see this version for the rest of the season.

The Chargers travel to Denver next week to take on the Broncos. The Broncos are 1-3 so far this season, but the past two weeks have shown that records do not necessarily indicate how a game will go.

The Chargers now sit at 3-1 which is their best start since 2006. They sit alone atop the AFC West. There have been causes for concern through the first four games, but all things considered this is a great start.