WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS

The San Diego Chargers have the worst pass defense in the league. That is not an opinion but, in fact, what the statistics scream. They lost twice when the pass defense collapsed against Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. Despite Antonio Cromartie, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions last year, this group has proven itself to be terrible. And that's good for the Dolphins, who have no consistent game-changing receivers. General manager Jeff Ireland has admitted he's disappointed with Ernest Wilford. Talk about weakness vs. weakness.

Advantage: Nobody

WHEN THE CHARGERS PASS

Philip Rivers is the NFL's second-leading passer behind Brett Favre, but he is coming off his worst statistical outing of the season. Although the return of Chris Chambers to Miami has caused some attention in media circles, the Chargers are actually led by Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates in the pass-catching department. Chambers does lead all receivers with four touchdowns. The Miami pass defense is coming off its best outing of the season, but that came against unproven New England quarterback Matt Cassel. This week promises a stiffer test.

Advantage: Chargers.

WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams had their best games at New England, and although much success came from the so-called Wildcat package, there were tough yards at the game's end of the game from Miami's base formation. The Dolphins think they can improve on that although the Chargers could be buoyed by the addition of inside linebacker Stephen Cooper, last year's leading tackler, back from NFL suspension. The Chargers rank No. 13 league-wide. That shouldn't intimidate the Miami line, which had its best game against a New England defensive front with three former first-round picks.

Advantage: Dolphins.

WHEN THE CHARGERS RUN

Despite having one of the most respected running backs, LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers have been surprisingly average rushing so far this season. Tomlinson is averaging a modest 3.8 yards per carry, and past Miami defenses have contained him. That means little now that the Dolphins have retooled the defense, but that retooled unit is 10th in the league against the run. The beauty of the San Diego running attack is Darren Sproles as a change-of-pace runner. He is averaging 5.3 yards per carry in that role, limited as it has been.

Advantage: Dolphins.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Tony Sparano joked this week that Miami's plan to contain San Diego's return unit is to secretly sneak 14 players on the field for kickoffs. The Chargers lead the NFL in kick returns because Darren Sproles is averaging 32.4 yards per return and had a 103-yarder earlier this season. The Dolphins are dead last defending kick returns, which suggests they might need 15 guys instead of just 14. The Dolphins, by the way, don't look much better in net punting: 31st.

Advantage: Chargers.

COACHING

Tony Sparano got his first victory by out-coaching Bill Belichick, who has won three Super Bowl titles. That served up an enormous helping of legitimacy but put pressure on Miami's coach. What can you do to help your team win today? The Dolphins will definitely use their Wildcat package against the Chargers, and there should be an investigation if they don't. The question: Can that package produce points when the other team has prepared for it?

Advantage: Even.

RECENT HISTORY

The Chargers dominated the Dolphins for a while, late in Don Shula's career, but that trend was reversed with Miami winning the past six regular-season meetings.

LAST SIX MEETINGS

12/11/05MIA 23, @SD 21

10/27/03MIA 23, SD 10 (at Tempe)

1½4/02@MIA 30, SD 3

11/12/00MIA 17, @SD 7

12/19/99@MIA 12, SD 9

11/5/95MIA 24, @SD 14

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