The Chargers make their way to Pro Player Stadium to face the Dolphins for the first time since 1992 as this series is renewed for the first time since 1995.

Including playoffs, while the Bolts own a 12-8 edge in the standings, the Dolphins posted a 24-14 Sunday night victory (ESPN) in 1995 at Qualcomm Stadium in the last battle between the teams.

San Diego's last appearance at Miami resulted in a 31-0 loss in the 1992 AFC Divisional Playoffs, while the Bolts' last regular-season trip to Pro Player Stadium resulted in a 31-28 loss in 1988.

Including playoffs, the Chargers have lost three straight road games in this rivalry and their last road win in this series a memorable 41-38 overtime triumph in the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoffs at the Orange Bowl.

The Chargers' last appearance at Pro Player Stadium was in Super Bowl XXIX, a 49-26 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Numbers: In their last 29 games dating back to '98 (11-18), four Chargers quarterbacks (Ryan Leaf, Erik Kramer and Jim Harbaugh, as well as since-departed Craig Whelihan) have combined to throw just 20 touchdown passes, while totaling 55 interceptions and 26 fumbles. The Chargers have allowed 200 points in 15 wins, 845 points in 30 losses dating back to '97. They have allowed 67 points in six wins, 211 points in seven losses in '99. The Chargers have committed 29 turnovers in 23 wins, 118 turnovers in 38 losses since '96. They won five games in '98 by a combined total of 13 points, six games in 1999 by 63 points. The Chargers have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins are 36-5 when they run the ball 25 or more times, 0-23 when they fail to run the ball at least 25 times. The Dolphins have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in three straight games. PK Olindo Mare has kicked 33 field goals in 13 games in '99; the NFL record for field goals in a season is 37, set by Carolina's John Kasay in 1996. In 14 home games (9 in 1998, 5 in 1999) dating back to '98 (including playoffs), the Dolphins allowed just 168 points, 3,373 yards of total offense (240.9 YPG) and just 10 offensive touchdowns. In their Week 13 home loss to the Colts, the Dolphins allowed 37 points, 370 yards of total offense and three offensive touchdowns. Including playoffs, the Dolphins have allowed 256 points in 19 wins, 332 points in 12 losses dating back to '98. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 114 sacks and 94 takeaways in 36 wins but just 37 QB traps and 36 takeaways in 28 losses. They have committed two or more turnovers in four straight games.

Things to look for: It's hard to believe we could be talking about two teams headed in opposite directions here, but that is exactly the case as Mike Riley's team comes off a huge road upset of the Seahawks, while Jimmy Johnson is scratching his hair trying to figure out just what's gone wrong so quickly. The Chargers' secondary may be the right tonic to get Dolphins' QB Dan Marino on track.

Etc.: The Dolphins have lost three straight regular-season games for the first time since 1996 (Miami did it twice) and have not lost four straight games since 1993, when they lost their final five games.