With the Miami Dolphins threatening to score, running back
Ronnie Brown waited in the single wing for a direct snap, his grin visible
through his face mask.
Winning can be fun, as the Dolphins are discovering.
Brown was still grinning moments later when he reached the end zone. And he wore
a smile in the locker room after Miami pulled off its second successive upset by
beating San Diego 17-10.
“We can compete, and we’re starting to realize that,” Brown said.
The Dolphins won Sunday with ball control, a smothering defense and a few
offensive frills. Brown scored the decisive touchdown from the single-wing
formation the Dolphins revived two weeks ago, and a goal-line stand in the
fourth quarter preserved a seven-point lead...more
Scoring Summary
SD - MIA
1st Quarter
7:42
SD
FG
Nate Kaeding kicked a 34-yard field goal
3 - 0
2:48
MIA
FG
Dan Carpenter kicked a 47-yard field goal
3 - 3
2nd Quarter
5:25
MIA
TD
Chad Pennington passed to Greg Camarillo to the right
for 17 yard gain (Dan Carpenter made PAT)
3 - 10
0:41
MIA
TD
Ronnie Brown rushed to the right for 5 yard gain (Dan
Carpenter made PAT)
3 - 17
3rd Quarter
3:13
SD
TD
Philip Rivers passed to Chris Chambers to the right for
17 yard gain (Nate Kaeding made PAT)
10 - 17
4th Quarter
NONE
10 - 17
Team Statistics
SD
MIA
First Downs
10
23
Passing
7
11
Rushing
3
11
Penalty
0
1
Third Down Efficiency
3-12
7-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-1
1-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
202
390
Total Plays
49
70
Average Gain Per Play
4.1
5.6
NET YARDS RUSHING
60
167
Rushes
19
40
Average Per Rush
3.2
4.2
NET YARDS PASSING
142
223
Completions-Attempts
13-28
22-29
Yards Per Pass Play
4.7
7.4
Times Sacked
2
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
17
5
Had Intercepted
0
0
PUNTS
6
4
Average Punt
55.8
46.8
PENALTIES
4
1
Penalty Yards
46
5
FUMBLES
0
2
Fumbles Lost
0
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
23:19
36:41
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
As far as running backs go, San Diego Chargers star LaDainian
Tomlinson has been one of the best passers since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. But
the Miami Dolphins have proven that Ronnie Brown gives them some options from
the backfield as well.
With Tomlinson appearing healthier, the Chargers on Sunday will look to snap a
six-game losing streak against an upstart Dolphins team that used Brown and some
unorthodox offensive formations to earn their biggest win in recent years.
An injured right big toe has slowed Tomlinson some, but he's coming off his best
game of the season. He ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard
scamper, in San Diego's 28-18 win over Oakland on Sunday.
The Chargers (2-2) have won two straight after falling by a total of three
points to Carolina and Denver to open the season...
Fun Fact: San Diego receiver Chris Chambers, who played
for the Dolphins from 2001 until being traded during the 2007 season, faces his
former employer for the first time
Miami has defeated San Diego six straight times overall (last
loss in 1993) and hasn't lost to the Chargers in Miami since 1980
Inside the Game Plans:
Notable:
CHARGERS: The
Chargers need to establish the run and take some of the steam out of an
aggressive Dolphins defense. Keep that defense on the field as much as
possible in what promises to be a humid day with temperatures in the
mid-80s. If they can do that, they will be susceptible to the big play
downfield if tiring out. But this won't be easy with the Dolphins
showing a No. 10 ranking against the run. But they haven't faced a back
like LaDainian Tomlinson, either, and the Chargers' All-Pro RB is as
healthy as he has been all year...FULL
STORY
DOLPHINS: The
Dolphins defense has to pick their poison. Either load up the box to key
on RB LaDainian Tomlinson or go with six DBs to limit Drew Brees'
high-powered passing attack. Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni is a
huge proponent of stopping the running game first and trust your
secondary to contain receivers such as Chris Chambers and perennial Pro
Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, who have seven of Brees' league-leading 10
TD passes. On offense, expect QB Chad Pennington to utilize a short to
mid-range attack...FULL
STORY
San Diego in search of
its third straight win, while Miami attempts to claim back-to-back
victories for the first time since 2006
Chargers lead the NFL in scoring offense
(34.5 yards per game) and touchdowns scored (16)
San Diego is last in the league in
passing defense (276.2 yards per game) and has given up a league-high
nine touchdown passes
8.1
14.2