Dolphins Opponent Profile: Ryan Tannehill Vs. Philip Rivers
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
Coming off a huge victory over the New York Jets in Week 9, the Miami Dolphins must now prove they can win away from Hard Rock Stadium. Looking to extend their modest three-game win streak to four games, Adam Gase and the Fins will travel to the West to take on a tricky San Diego Chargers squad.
Qualcomm Stadium in beautiful San Diego, California will be the site for this AFC East vs. AFC West matchup, scheduled for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. This game marks the second time Miami has visited San Diego in as many years, as the last time these teams met dates back to Dec. 20, 2015.
On that eventful day, the Dolphins dropped their head-to-head record to 16-15-0 against the Chargers by losing to the hosting Chargers, 30-14. The Bolts' offense proved to be too much for Miami to handle, as Philip Rivers threw for 311 yards, three touchdowns and two picks, while the one-two combo of running backs Donald Brown and Melvin Gordon combined for 131 rushing yards on 27 carries.
San Diego Chargers Record: 4-5-0
Playing in arguably the most competitive division in professional football, the Chargers' 4-5-0 record is good enough for the cellar spot in the AFC West. San Diego is currently 3-1 at home, 1-4 on the road and 1-3 against divisional opponents.
Under the tutelage of head coach Mike McCoy in 2016, San Diego is 3-4 against the AFC and 1-1 against non-conference opponents. The Chargers are coming off a (43-35) win over Tennessee last week and are 3-2 in their last five games.
Chargers on Offense
Everyone knows what quarterback Philip Rivers can do through the air. That's why Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has been preaching running the football more efficiently to help the star QB since his arrival in southern California.
Nevertheless, the Bolts continue to score a ton of points and rack up the yards week in and week out through the air. With nine games in the books, San Diego's offense ranks third in the NFL in points (29.8), seventh in passing yards (271.3), ninth in total yards (378.0) and 18th in rushing yards per game (106.7).
Chargers on Defense
On the opposite side of the pigskin, the Chargers' defensive coordinator is John Pagano, who enters his 15th season with the organization and his fifth as DC. On paper, Pagano's defense is considered a 3-4 base, but it's as close to a 4-3 as anyone will see in the National Football League.
Pagano is known for adjusting his scheme to the skill set and strength of his players. Thus far this season, things haven't gone exactly as planned, except for in one area. Entering Week 10, the Chargers' defense ranks fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (85.3), but 19th in total yards allowed (364.7) and 26th in both points per game (27.4) and passing yards yielded per contest (279.3).
Chargers Players to Watch
On the offensive side of the football, whenever anyone plays the Chargers, the player to watch is always quarterback Philip Rivers. In his 13th NFL campaign, the North Carolina State product is showing no signs of slowing down. Rivers comes into Week 10 ranked fourth in the league in passing yards (2,560 on 206-for-325 passes) and is tied for fifth place in touchdowns (17).
On defense, Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense must be weary of the presence of cornerback Casey Hayward. The former Packer is currently tied for top honors in the NFL in interceptions (5, one returned for a TD), to go along with his 41 tackles, 12 passes defended.
Outlook
According to NFL Week 10 oddsmakers, the Miami Dolphins will have to defy the odds in order to keep their win streak alive. Opening Week 10 point spreads have the Fins listed as +3.5-point underdogs against the San Diego Chargers.
Post Author: Abraham Gutierrez.
