SAN DIEGO — Turn out the lights?
Not on the San Diego Chargers (3-10), as that’s already been done for a team which is limping toward the finish line.
Instead, Sunday’s pairing against the Miami Dolphins (5-8), another team not going to the playoffs, has a story line which trumps the game.
After five-plus decades, Sunday could be the Chargers’ final home game in San Diego. They plan to file for relocation next month, and if everything pans out, the Chargers will join with the Oakland Raiders, sharing a venue in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.
“It’s tough on the city and the fans,” Eric Weddle said. “For us as players, we don’t have any idea or clue what’s going on, so we’re blind just like everybody else. So what we hear is what we hear from the outside.”
So while mystery swirls around Sunday’s contest, there is a game to be played. Whether it’s the Chargers’ curtain-call in San Diego will be determined at a later date.
“We have the opportunity to go out Sunday against a good football team at home and win a game,” coach Mike McCoy said. “That is the big thing. They understand the situation but they are going out there to win a football game.”
That’s something they’ve managed to do just once in their once in their past nine games.
“You all know how the year has gone,” said McCoy, who’s been given no assurances he will return next season. “We all want to win; it is a big game for everybody.”
If the Chargers get win No. 4, it will probably be the defense which leads the way. While the offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in three of its past four games, the defense is playing its best ball of the season.
“It’s a team sport, but at the end of the day, sometimes the offense was rolling and defense was struggling,” Jason Verrett said. “On the offensive side, they are a lot more dinged-up than we are on defense. So we have to step up our part and try to help the offense.”
The Chargers can’t help, as well, to long for a true home game. And while this is their eighth and final one of the year, the San Diego face hostile crowds in their own stadium.
In the majority of home games this season, thousands of the visiting fans have turned Qualcomm Stadium into a difficult place for the Chargers to play.
Where else does the home squad use a silent count because of the noise for the opposition?
“I just hope there is a big crowd out there because a lot of people are talking about this being the last time of playing in San Diego,” Verrett said. “But we are just focused on getting the win. That is what it all boils down too.”
The Chargers get one last chance to do it this season in San Diego. Whether it’s the last time ever is anyone’s guess
“I’ve thought about it a little bit,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “It could be emotional. It really could be. I think I will even soak in the drive over there more than the other 100 or so times I’ve done it.
“We’ll see. I don’t know what the atmosphere will be like and when you get to playing, you just to win. But it’ll have a little different feel to it, I would imagine.
“Gosh, 12 years in same locker, same stadium and same pregame routine. That is what gets me. You should never take it for granted and I try not to, but given the situation I feel I will soak it in.
“And if it is, let’s just win.
While Chargers boosters have turned on the team’s management, Rivers said that’s not the case for him.
“Even though it’s been a rough year,” he said, “I’ve always felt the support from the fans.”
SERIES HISTORY:
The Dolphins lead series 14-12 in the 27th regular-season meeting. The Chargers faced the Dolphins in each of the past two years and neither one of those games went in their favor. In fact, their visit last year to Miami delivered one of the worst defeats in Chargers history as they were blanked, 37-0. In their last two meetings, the Chargers have been outscored, 57-16. The last time the Chargers entertained the Dolphins, San Diego prevailed, 26-16. Rivers threw for 307 yards and a score but it was Vincent Jackson with the big day. Jackson had only three catches, but they were good for 108 yards and a touchdown. The teams split four games in the playoffs, with the Chargers claiming the epic 1981 AFC Divisional playoff game in overtime, 41-38.
GAME PLAN:
Here’s a switch: the Chargers will lean on the running game Sunday. While Philip Rivers and the passing game is still the team strength, one wonders how much more punishment he can take. He was pummeled in last week’s loss to the Chiefs and is battling a balky foot. Just maybe, the Chargers break their 12-game streak of not rushing for a touchdown. Considering the Chargers’ record and Rivers’ fading health, San Diego could lean on rookie running back Melvin Gordon and hope Sunday is the game he either rushes for 100 yards for the first time and/or scores his first touchdown. The Dolphins are the worst in the AFC defending the run, allowing 131.5 yards per game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–The interior of the Chargers offensive line, vs. the Dolphins’ front, which includes tackle Ndamukong Suh
The Chargers will look at their line and wonder where everyone went? The Chargers will look at Miami’s defensive line and wonder how they are going to block it. Suh, of course, will be a handful for any unit, but especially for one which has been nicked by so many injuries. The middle of the team’s line is in flux, with right guard D.J. Fluker’s status in doubt because of another concussion. Backup center Trevor Robinson has done OK, but not much better. Left guard Orlando Franklin has been among the team’s biggest disappointment. So here comes Suh and the Chargers are asked to slow someone with 29 quarterback hurries. Thing is, if too much attention is paid to Suh, right end Olivier Vernon (seven sacks) could be turned loose on Rivers’ blindside. Rivers will also likely be without starting left tackle King Dunlap (ankle).
–The Chargers secondary, with backup cornerback Steve Williams vs. the Dolphins’ pass-receiving crew, which features Jarvis Landry
Brandon Flowers was put down for the season last week because of a knee injury. In his place is Steve Williams, a third-year pro with mixed results. Jason Verrett, coming off a game with an interception, could draw Landry — although the Dolphins figure to move him around in their packages. Landry was targeted 18 times in Monday’s loss to the Giants, the fourth-most by a Dolphin since 1991. Landry is closing in on Miami’s single-season reception mark and the Chargers will be hard-pressed to slow him down. What would help Williams, who is nursing a sore hip, and company, is a stout pass rush on Ryan Tannehill.