San Diego Chargers Head Into Bye With Woeful Week 9 Performance

Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) and Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) sack San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) and Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) sack San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The San Diego Chargers appear to be a mess after getting manhandled on the road by the Miami Dolphins.

Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers look like a crew badly in need of a bye week. It couldn’t come at a better time as the team is still licking its wound after a 37-0 beating at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. It was the worst game of Phillip Rivers’ career and likely the worst game since the turn of the century for most Chargers fans. After having started the season 5-1, the Chargers are now 5-4 and in need of some answers.

More from Los Angeles Chargers

The U-T San Diego notes the Chargers ‘hadn’t lost by such a margin since the New England Patriots beat them 45-7 on Dec. 1, 1996.’ Additionally, the team was shut out in Week 9, which gives them another low to match. The piece also notes, ‘It was their worst loss in which they didn’t score since losing 37-0 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1975 season opener.’ Any time you’re being compared to the 70’s Chargers against the 70’s Steel Curtain, you better hope you’re on Mean Joe Greene’s side of history.

Instead, the Chargers are on the cusp of some pretty bad history. It was the first time starter Phillip Rivers was pulled so early in a game for a bad performance, and it was as deserving a benching as a quarterback has received this season. Rivers threw for 138 yards and gifted the Dolphins three interceptions and a fumble.

San Diego will have a bye next week, which couldn’t be more fortunate. The team will need to find some of that September magic from earlier in the season if they’re to have any hope in November and December.

More from FanSided