San Diego: Wheels Come Off Season In Horror Show

This was a game that was supposed to be the one to win, a must win game in the AFC. San Diego came off a Thursday Night Football loss to Denver but they had 10 days to prepare for the dreaded trip to Miami.

It's no secret that San Diego's record in Miami over the last few years is abysmal but the Chargers went into the game looking to bounce back and avoid a third straight defeat. So in what turned out to be an embarrassing shut out, just where did it go wrong for the Chargers?

First drive

On 4th-and-1 the Chargers elected to run the football instead of attempting a field goal. That decision was costly and it just went from bad to worse from there on in.

Pocket protection

Philip Rivers was hurried as the pocket collapsed around him on more than one occassion. Rivers was sacked three times on the night. The Chargers signal caller forced the play too many times and it looked like the team of old under Norv Turner. It was the first time Rivers had ever gone for three picks without throwing for a passing touchdown in his career. D.J. Fluker was brushed aside with ease on too many occassions.

No plays, no points

The Chargers managed a whimper of offense, 178 in total and a low number of 50 yards on the ground. 3rd down efficiency was 3-of-11. There was no productivity from the defense or speacial teams either. This was agaisnt a quarterbakc in Ryan Tannehill who has been relatively easy to get to over the last two seasons. It was one of those days.

Credit to the Miami Dolphins, they converted the first downs, controlled the game and where dominent on all three phases of the football. Coach McCoy has to figure out how to manage his roster in the right manner going into the bye-week. The senior players must keep their heads and show leadership especially at a time where they have slipped from 5-1 to 5-4. 

Forget the play-offs, right now it's about getting back on track and picking up another win. The Chargers schedule looks unfavourable at this moment in time. Trips to the 49ers and Chiefs finish off the season that is after hosting the Patriots and the Broncos.

The most dissapointing thing is the way in which the season seems to be folding in on itself. Talk of winning the AFC West and a possible MVP for Rivers is fading away fast. It's easy to point the finger at one or two individuals but everyone must take equal responsibility. As it stands right now I would take an 8-8 season. The Chargers must prove that they are better than that record. Over to you San Diego.