DOLPHINS (4-4) VS. CHARGERS (4-5)
SUNDAY, 4:05 P.M., QUALCOMM STADIUM, SAN DIEGO uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 713
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl
Rookie RB returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown with 5:15 remaining as the rejuvenated Dolphins came back to win their third in a row, 27-23 vs. the New York Jets. Miami continued its run-first approach, accumulating 137 rushing yards against a Jets defense that was allowing a league-best 74 rushing yards a game. Although RB didn’t become the first player in league history to record back-to-back-to-back 200 rushing yard games, he did run for 111 yards, with 55 coming in the fourth quarter. DE had two strip sacks, and DT returned an interception 17 yards to set up a field goal. QB had his third consecutive game without an interception and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE
It’s the first time since midway through the 2014 season that Miami has won three in a row.
Second-year RB continued his hot streak, rushing for 196 yards and catching passes for 65 more, as San Diego held on to beat the Tennessee Titans 43-35. Gordon’s rushing yards were the most by a Chargers running back since gained 198 yards against the Oakland Raiders in 2007. Gordon’s 261 total yards were 10 shy of the mark Tomlinson set 14 seasons ago. The Chargers’ third victory in four games also was fueled by two touchdowns off takeaways — a 43-yard fumble return by S late in the third quarter and a 33-yard interception return by CB Chargers running back Melvin Gordon leads the NFL with 11 total touchdowns.
with 4:51 left in the game. Gordon iced the win when he broke free on a 47-yard run with 2:37 left and the Chargers nursing an eight-point lead. QB threw for 275 yards and two scores and finished with a 117.6 passer rating.
With 529 yards in his past three games, Ajayi is the hottest back in the league. But the Chargers have been solid against the
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
run. Last Sunday, they limited DeMarco Murray to 51 yards, 57 below his average.
The former Wisconsin star leads the NFL with 11 total touchdowns. In the past three games, he has rushed for 307 yards and caught 14 passes for 162 yards. He’s on pace to rush for 1,365 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The number of TD receptions TE needs to tie Tony Gonzalez for most career TDs by a tight end. Gates and Rivers have combined for 81 scoring passes, most by any quarterback-tight end combo in league history.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. The Great Wall of Miami: The Dolphins are 3-0 since their five offensive line starters have been back together. Veteran LT
and C have returned to Pro Bowl form, and rookie LG
has been as good as advertised. They’ve done a solid job opening holes for Ajayi and keeping Tannehill upright.
2. Gordon lightfoot: Like the Dolphins, the Chargers might have found a winning formula by relying more on the run. Gordon, in his second season, has been superb, and it takes the heat off Rivers, who is having an excellent season with 17 touchdown passes and a 96.2 passer rating.
3. Wake-up time: An effective Chargers run game also would help Rivers avoid the heat being brought by Wake, who is coming off the 15th two-sack game and the fourth twostrip-sack game of his career.
Scott Pitoniak