Dolphins at Chargers
THE STORY: Tony Sparano has heard the comparison countless times. His name is eerily similar to that of fictional television mob boss Tony Soprano – and after the Miami Dolphins limped to three losses to start the season, well, reports have surfaced that Sparano may soon be "whacked." With Sunday's road game against the San Diego Chargers being the last hurdle before the team's bye week, the downtrodden Dolphins may need to win Sunday's contest in order to save Sparano's job. Miami suffered its sixth consecutive loss dating to last season when it surrendered a late touchdown to drop a 17-16 decision to the Cleveland Browns. For its part, San Diego won its second straight game at Qualcomm Stadium this season with a 20-17 victory over the winless Kansas City Chiefs.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Chargers -7, O/U 45
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-3): For all of the negatives, Miami received a positive when Daniel Thomas recorded his second solid outing of the season. The rookie running back rushed 23 times for 95 yards and even reeled in three receptions. Conversely, prized offseason acquisition and San Diego native Reggie Bush has been targeted just twice in the passing game over the last two contests. Miami claimed running back Steve Slaton off waivers. Slaton was released by the Houston Texans earlier in the week.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-1): Philip Rivers has thrown multiple interceptions in all three games this season and leads the league with six picks. His career high for a season is 15. Rivers will likely be without Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, who is expected to miss his second straight game stemming from pain from the torn plantar fascia he suffered in 2010. Stud wideout Vincent Jackson is nursing an abdomen issue but is expected to play. That's good news considering the Dolphins' defense is surrendering a 30th-best (read: third-worst) 415.7 yards per contest and may be without strong safety Yeremiah Bell (personal).
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Quarterback Chad Henne has completed just 9 of 23 passes in the red zone this season. The Dolphins have scored a touchdown on just five of 13 visits inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
2. San Diego posted a 23-13 home triumph over Miami when the teams last met two years ago. The Chargers' victory snapped a seven-game losing skid to the Dolphins dating to a 22-21 postseason win in 1995.
3. Miami wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who formerly played with the AFC West Denver Broncos, has just one touchdown in eight career games against the Chargers. That touchdown, however, came in an 18-reception, 166-yard contest on Sept. 14, 2008.