Miami Dolphins Vs San Diego Chargers: 6 Pack Of Key Match Ups

The Miami Dolphins host the San Diego Chargers today. The Fins enter this game above .500, riding their first winning streak of the season. With head coach Joe Philbin getting back to his squad after missing the last couple of days of practice due to the loss of his father, look for the Dolphins to play with some emotion for their head coach. San Diego is riding a losing streak into town and will be looking to bounce back and further more seek retribution for last season’s loss. This game could prove to be a launching pad for the Dolphins’ season, the Fins need to be on point to pick up their second home victory in Miami, a few things will have to take place on the field though for that victory to transpire, leading me to this weeks 6 pack of key match-ups.

Match up 1: Dolphins Pass Rush vs. Phillip Rivers

The Miami Dolphins are facing one of the best quarterbacks in the league with immense arm talent. Rivers is a player the Dolphins have to be very careful with, they can’t let him get in rhythm. The Miami Dolphins need to bring the heat against the veteran and creating pressure with their down linemen and collapsing the interior of the pocket will be key. When playing a veteran such as Rivers, the defense should throw as many exotic look as they can at Rivers in order to keep him off balance on a regular basis. San Diego’s offensive line has been banged up, so the Dolphins should be able to put some heat on Rivers.

Match up 2: Charles Clay vs. Chargers Linebackers

The Chargers best coverage linebacker Manti Te’o is out with injury, so whoever is filling in for him needs to be a target and the Dolphins need to attack him with Charles Clay, when Clay is involved int he offense, the Miami Dolphins are a much better team offensively.

Match up 3: Dolphins Pass Protection vs. Chargers Pass Rush

Tannehill is going to need time to throw the football. Even though the offensive line is immensely better than last year, they’ve given up to many sacks recently and it’s not acceptable. The Dolphins are facing a defense that is getting back Dwight Freeney from injury, believe that their head coach with will be mixing up his pressure packages and bringing the heat against a Dolphins o-line that’s struggled with the interior of their line in recent weeks and may be down a starter if Daryn Colledge can’t dress.

Match up 4: Dolphins Running Game vs. Chargers Front Seven

The Chargers are fairly susceptible to getting run on, so the Dolphins need to establish their running game early as their whole attack offensively feeds off of it. Lamar Miller has been very solid this year but it’s time for him to have a break out game, I’m waiting for him to have a dominant game.

Match up 5: Dolphins Special Teams vs. Chargers Special Teams

The Dolphins special teams have been a scary roller coaster ride. They have yet to put together a solid all around game, the kicking game has been suspect with Brandon Fields shanking punts and Caleb Sturgis missing field goals like nobody’s business. Jarvis Landry has been great on kick off returns winning the special teams player of the month award this week, it’s time for him to take a kick back to the house.

Match up 6: Dolphins Receivers vs. Chargers Defensive Backs

This is the perfect game for the Dolphins to generate some big plays in the passing game, while Eric Weddle is a stud and Brandon Flowers can ball, the rest of the Chargers secondary is suspect . MIke Wallace has been really good this season, catching passes in traffic, breaking tackles after the catch and overall paying with a high intensity, it’d be nice to see the Dolphins work him a little more down field for the big play as we saw a glimpse of it last week. Brian Hartline is due for a big game, will this be the week he gets involved?

Look for the Dolphins to win their third game in a row and get on roll! Fins Up!