Anthony Lynn made his Los Angles Chargers (0-1) head coaching debut last week with a resounding thud in a loss to the Denver Broncos. Jay Cutler had to wait an extra week to officially premier at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins (0-0) but Sunday at a L.A. soccer stadium, the dream will be made real.
The Game: Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
The History
The Chargers and the Dolphins have met up 32 times since 1966 with Miami leading the all-time series 17-15. That includes the Dolphins’ 31-24 win over then San Diego, 31-24, at Qualcomm Stadium last season.
These two teams played one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history on January 2, 1982. It’s been dubbed the “Epic in Miami” since in league lore. Don Coryell brought his offense to South Beach led by Dan Fouts. Don Shula had David Woodley at quarterback but benched him for Don Strock in the game, two years before Dan Marino would be handed the keys. San Diego/Los Angeles surged out to 24-0 lead in the first quarter only to see Miami score 17 unanswered points in the second. The Dolphins took a fourth quarter lead on a Tony Nathan 12-yard run. Fouts hit James Brooks on a nine-yard touchdown to tie the game 38-38 and send it into overtime. In the extra period, Rolf Benirscke hit a 29-yard field goal for the Chargers and they won 41-38. Fouts finished 33-of-53 for 433 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Strock, coming off the bench, was 29-of-43 for 403 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
The Chargers and Dolphins met three other times in the playoffs and are ties 2-2.
The longest win steak belongs to Miami who won seven in a row from December, 1995 to October, 2008. Los Angeles/San Diego has never won more than two games in a row.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-0)
This is it. Smok ’em if you got ’em because Jay Cutler is lighting up for the Miami Dolphins Sunday for the first official time. If you read my NFL Divisional Previews, and you should have, you know I have Miami pegged as a 10-6 team and an AFC Wild Card with Cutler as its quarterback. In 2015 when Adam Gase was his offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears, Cutler completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,659 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If the Dolphins get those numbers with their offensive weapons and defense, they’re making the playoffs.
Miami had an extra week to prepare for this game thanks to Hurricane Irma and that should just improve Cutler’s chances at having a solid outing with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker at wide receiver, Julius Thomas at tight end and Jay Ajayi at running back. I see a lot of big plays coming out of play action in this one.
The strength of this Dolphins defense is up front, especially at the defensive tackle positions. Ndamukong Suh remains one of the best in the league and will make running inside tough for Melvin Gordon.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-1)
You have to ignore the final stats in the Chargers 24-21 loss to the Broncos last Monday night. It required 14 points in the fourth quarter from Los Angeles just to make it close and Lynn was so determined to ground and pound that he kept Rivers up on blocks for most of the game. By the time he unleashed one of the best quarterbacks in the league, it was too late. Rivers ran out of time, but threw three touchdowns but only amassed 192 yards.
Meanwhile, the Chargers defense got pretty much handled by the Broncos with Trevor Siemian at quarterback. Siemian spread the ball around to eight different receivers, but the scary stat should be how much rushing yards Los Angeles gave up; 140. C.J. Anderson racked up 81 along and Siemian, who is not exactly fleet of foot, rushed for 19 and scored a touchdown where he juked Joey Bosa out of jock strap.
The Pick
As long as Anthony Lynn his handcuffing his best offensive weapon, the Chargers will struggle. The coaching match up between Gase and Lynn is a joke. Like a chess match between Gary Kasparov and Lloyd Christmas. So, no, I’m not saying there’s a chance. Dolphins 27, Chargers 24
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-7
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