Dolphins pummeling Chargers 37-0 after third quarter

This is getting ridiculous.

Ryan Tannehill has three touchdowns. One to Clay, one to Matthews, and one to Jarvis Landry.

Brent Grimes has two interceptions. Reshad Jones has one.

Philip Rivers has been pulled from the game. I'd imagine Ryan Tannehill and most of the Miami starters aren't far behind.

In fact, it appears Matt Moore is ready to go.

Who woulda thunk it?

To the 4th.

Dolphins lead Chargers 20-0 at halftime

That was the first half the Miami Dolphins absolutely needed this week.

We're getting the good Ryan Tannehill today. He's 18-25, 208 yards, and a perfectly placed six yard TD to Charles Clay.

He's been accurate. He's been decisive. And, most importantly, he's had all day to throw.

Tannehill has also, once again, run the ball extremely well today. He's already broke off a 22 yard scramble. Along with Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, the Miami running game has produced 74 rushing yards.

Defensively, it's been lopsided.

Reshad Jones has been everywhere. He stuffed a San Diego 4th down to give Miami the ball. He intercepted Philip Rivers to set up a FG. 

The defensive line, as I said, has also dominated today. Philip Rivers has been under duress all day long.

So far the Dolphins are winning the trench game battle. If they can continue, it should be a cake walk in the second half. 

Can they keep it up?

To the third.

Dolphins lead Chargers 7-0 after first quarter

Excellent first quarter for Miami.

The Dolphins defense stopped San Diego on 4th and one on their first drive.

Following that, Ryan Tannehill drove Miami down the field, completing all 6 passes, including a 6 yard TD to Charles Clay.

San Diego faces a fourth and 1 to begin the second.

Misi ACTIVE as Dolphins, Chargers near kickoff; full inactive list

It may be snowing in Boston...

But those in Miami are experiencing the best weather of the year. 73 degrees, 37% humidity, not a cloud in the sky.

Beautiful day for some November football. 

And a HUGE day. 

The inactives for Miami:

40 Lowell Rose

58 Chris McCain

67 Daryn Colledge 

74 Jason Fox

76 Anthony Johnson

77 Billy Turner

80 Dion Sims

The inactives for San Diego:

Ryan Mathews, Manti Te’o, Jeremiah Attaochu, Jahleel Addae, Jason Verrett, Ryan Carrethers, Richard Crawford.

The Dolphins are in all white, as per usual. San Diego will be in the navy and white. 

Live blog starts after the first quarter.

See you there.

Gameday: Five Keys to a Dolphins Win PLUS Prediction

Welcome to week nine in the NFL. Welcome to November.

For the Miami Dolphins, welcome to the big boy part of your schedule. As I said earlier this week, today marks the beginning of a grueling, daunting, make or break part of the Dolphins schedule. If this team wants to be talking playoffs next month, they have to act like they've started this month.

I believe today's game is the most winnable one out of the next four. I believe this is a chance for Miami to establish that they aren't going anywhere, that they belong in the playoff conversation, and that they are a true ABOVE average team.

How do they get to 5-3, you ask?


1. Big boy pants, big boy plays: What do I mean by big boy plays? Converting third downs on offense, which is something this team doesn't do well. Getting off the field on defense, which is also something this team doesn't do well. Make some big time, 20+ yard passes, something Ryan Tannehill obviously struggles with. This team needs to make some big time plays today if they want to win this football game. This isn't Jacksonville. You MUST put your big boy pants on.

2. 1:05 kickoff, not 2:30: For some reason this offense seems to think game's don't start until around 2:30, which is the average second half kickoff time. I don't know why they can't come out of the gates strong, but it MUST change today. This isn't Jacksonville. This isn't Chicago. This offense simply cannot afford another slow start today. San Diego is too good of a team, folks.

3. Exploit the matchup: Earlier this week I discussed a key matchup Miami MUST exploit today, and that was trench play. The reality is that the Dolphins are the far, far better team when it comes to trench play. They can rush the QB better. They can block better. They have more pro bowlers on their D-line then San Diego has on defense all together. Philip Rivers needs to be running for his life today, and Ryan Tannehill needs to have a silly amount of time to throw the football. Those are match ups the Dolphins MUST exploit.

4. Stick to what you do best: And that's RUNNING THE FOOTBALL. Give it to Lamar Miller early, and often. Run the read option till they prove they can stop Ryan Tannehill. When its third and two, RUN THE FOOTBALL. When it's 4th and one, don't take the FG... RUN THE FOOTBALL. You're the sixth ranked running offense in the NFL, and today is the time to prove it.

5. More play-action, more under center: This offense is a run first unit that is designed to make big plays off the play-action pass. Ryan Tannehill is really good when Bill Lazor sticks to this formula. See where I'm going here? Play-action is the nuts and bolts of this offense, folks, and if I'm Bill Lazor I'm running it all day long. Put Ryan Tannehill under center, get creative, and let this offense take off. That's the formula that works best for this team.


PREDICTION

Detroit, Buffalo, Denver. That's what awaits Miami following today's crucial game. November, like day three of a major championship, is moving month in the NFL. These next four games will show what these Miami Dolphins' true colors are. Get through this gauntlet with two wins, and you're in the mix. Get swept, or manage just one win, and this season is probably toast.

It starts today with San Diego.

And I think it starts with a win.


Final: Dolphins 24 Chargers 20


Inactives will be up in a few hours, so come back then for your latest pre-game news. THEN, make sure to come back following the first quarter to check out the live blog.

3.5 hours.

Week Nine in the NFL: Picks and Predictions

Halfway point in the 2014 season.. Lets do it.


Last week's record: 10-4

Overall record: 74-39


Buccaneers @ Browns: Not your finest moment, scheduling committee. Not your finest moment at all. Upset city, population: Blacked out Cleveland.

Pick: Buccaneers 20 Browns 17

Cardinals @ Cowboys: Jerry Jones just casually strolling down to the sidelines on Monday night was the most Jerry Jones moment in the history of Jerry Jones moments. “Drama? Spotlight? I need to get down there and provide my medical assistance with my fake medical degree!” Classic. I still love the Boys, but not this week. Not against the Birds.

Pick: Cardinals 27 Cowboys 24

Eagles @ Texans: Back to back roadies for any team is tough. But I think that Chip Kelly offense is just a tad too quick for JJ Watt and his imaginary camera. Also… Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Pick: Eagles 25 Texans 18

Jets @ Chiefs: Hahahahahahahahaahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahahahaha.

Pick: Chiefs 33 Jets 6

Jaguars @ Bengals: Are we, as a society, just never going to discuss the fact that Andy Dalton only has six touchdown passes this season? Like, that’s as many as Blake Bortles has. What a strange stat that’s just been quietly swept-under-the-carpet.

Pick: Bengals 30 Jaguars 7

Redskins @ Vikings: “Hey Colt, I know you just put together easily the best game from a quarterback we’ve had this season, on the biggest stage, in front of the entire world, but you’re still benched this week.” What a cutthroat business this can be.

Pick: Vikings 19 Redskins 17

Rams @ 49ers: All quiet on the Austin Davis front? Thought so. Man, people can be so gullible sometimes. Yes, Brett Favre. I’m looking at you.

Pick: 49ers 23 Rams 14

Broncos @ Patriots: Patriots fans on September 28: “Tom sucks. We suck. Trade him. Cut him. Bench him. It’s Garoppolo time!” Patriots fans ONE MONTH later: “Super Bowl!! Tom for MVP!! February or bust! We’re the best team, with the best QB, in the entire world!!” And no, that’s not an assumption, that’s a fact. Unfortunately I have to live right in the heart of it. Puke.

Pick: Patriots 33 Broncos 30

Raiders @ Seahawks: Oh Tony. Not even the biggest, deepest, grandest hole will bail you out of this one. Just keep your sunglasses on, don’t make eye contact with anyone, and get out of there as soon as possible.

Pick: Seahawks 35 Raiders 7

Ravens @ Steelers: TripGate 2.0! Whenever these two hook up, it’s always a good time. I expect nothing less on Sunday night. Unfortunately for the Ravens, I think they’re catching Big Ben and the Curtain at the wrong time.

Pick: Steelers 24 Ravens 21

Colts @ Giants: Andrew Luck has 22 TD’s this season. He’s also 3-1 at home. He’s also looking for his first career Monday night win. See where I’m going here..?

Pick: Colts 30 Giants 24


Pre game coverage kicks things off in the morning, followed by the live blog, which begins after the first quarter of tomorrow's 1:05 kickoff.

Until then...

16 hours.

Philbin Returns to Team Following Family Matter; Final Injury Report

First and foremost, to the sad news of the day.

Joe Philbin, who hasn't been with the team since Wednesday, returned today following a serious family matter. Well, the matter in question is now known: Paul E. Philbin, Joe's dad, has died. He passed away last night at 93 years old.

Obviously our condolences go out to the entire Philbin family.

Coach Philbin will coach tomorrow, and, like I said, has already returned to the team.


FINAL INJURY REPORT

Out: TE Dion Sims (toe)

Questionable: G Daryn Colledge (illness, back), LB Koa Misi (ankle)

Probable: TE Charles Clay (knee), LS John Denney (knee), CB Cortland Finnegan (neck), G Nate Garner (neck), LB Chris McCain (foot), C Mike Pouncey (hip), S Jimmy Wilson (hamstring)


Losing Sims may seem minor, but don't underestimate just how good Dion Sims has been this year. He's routinely been one of the strongest run and pass blockers on the team, and has been surprisingly efficient in the passing game. This is a big loss for the Dolphins.

As far as Colledge and Misi go, I'd be a little surprised if Colledge plays seeing as he hasn't practiced all week. My guess is he'll be close to a game time decision. If he doesn't play expect Dallas Thomas to get the start.

Misi has been dealing with the ankle injury all year, and missed last week's game because of it. I tend to believe he'll give it a go tomorrow, but you never know though. Jason Trusnik will start in his place if he doesn't.


More coming at ya later.

24 hours.