Chargers - Dolphins Ground Service Delivering Wins

Don’t let their helmets fool you.

Represented by lightning bolts and sea-dwelling mammals, the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins are massive land roamers. However, unlike extinct wooly mammoths and mastodons, these two AFC clubs show evidence of thriving as the NFL season evolves.

When the Chargers (7-3) travel to Miami (6-4) this weekend, one team will stride closer to a playoff berth.

San Diego features the NFL’s rushing leader in LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON (1,053 yards) powering the AFC’s No. 2 ground attack to the tune of 143.6 yards per game.  Whether providing daylight for Tomlinson, or maintaining a protective pocket around quarterback DREW BREES, San Diego’s offensive line is one of the league’s best. No NFL group has kept its passer cleaner, allowing only 11.0 sacks through 10 games.

"They were outstanding," said Chargers head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER of his offensive line’s play last week in a 20-17 overtime win over San Francisco. "Our offensive line is very, very capable."

The Dolphins stiff-armed a three-game skid last week, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 26-7. Miami earned a win doing what it does best -- run the ball and stop the run. Running back RICKY WILLIAMS, a San Diego native, mustered his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the year to tie the franchise record for most in a season (DELVIN WILLIAMS, 1978). Williams stands third among AFC rushers (913). In addition, quarterback RAY LUCAS had time to operate, throwing for 221 yards without being pressured into an interception. Miami has permitted the third-fewest sacks (15) among AFC clubs.

"We had seven sacks (against Baltimore) and didn’t give up any," says Dolphins head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT. "We had three penalties and no turnovers. That is what you are striving to get."

These teams likely could interchange playbooks as Dolphins assistant head coach and offensive coordinator NORV TURNER was San Diego’s offensive coordinator in 2001. Turner improved the Bolts’ offense from No. 28 in 2000 to No. 11 last season.

Do these clubs sound alike?  It gets more similar. Both Tomlinson and Williams are on track to set their respective teams’ single-season rushing record (current yards in parenthesis):

San Diego Chargers & Miami Dolphins Single-Season Rushing Leaders

* Projected through 16 games

While their respective offenses move on foot, their defenses keep opponents from doing the same.

San Diego keeps opposing offenses grounded, allowing 92.8 rushing yards per game -- third fewest in the NFL. In his first season with his hometown Chargers, linebacker DONNIE EDWARDS leads the team in tackles (69) and is tied for second in the AFC in interceptions (4). As a team, San Diego is tied for second in the conference in sacks (26.0), trailing Miami’s 28.0. Three of San Diego’s top four pass rushers are linemen, paced by defensive end RAYLEE JOHNSON with 5.5 sacks.

Dolphins linebacker ZACH THOMAS is doing his part in corking opponents’ offensive holes with a team-high 119 tackles. Miami has earned the league’s No. 2 ranking in rushing defense by limiting opponents to 92.1 yards per game. Thomas’ brother-in-law and teammate, defensive end JASON TAYLOR, is tied for the AFC’s sack lead (8.5).

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NFL 2002 Week 12 Chargers - Dolphins Ground Service Delivering Wins
Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson & Dolphins Ricky Williams