Arizona, Oct 28: Back-up quarterback Brian Griese and the Miami Dolphins cruise to a 26-10 win over the San Diego Chargers.
The NFL gave away tickets. Drew Brees gave away the game. Brees threw two interceptions on his first four pass attempts and the Miami Dolphins converted both into scores en route to a 26-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers, who were pushed south due to fires in Southern California. After moving the game from San Diego, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue decided that the tickets at Sun Devil Stadium would be free. A day after the Arizona Cardinals attracted only 40,824 fans for their game against the San Francisco 49ers, this Monday Night Football contest drew a capacity crowd of 73,014 to the same building. With a neutral crowd still filing in, Brees threw two interceptions in the opening 4:35. On 3rd-and-2 from San Diego's 32, Patrick Surtain picked off a pass and returned it 32 yards to the 6. Two plays later, Brian Griese found Chris Chambers from five yards to open the scoring 2:02 into the game. Just 2:18 later, Brees dropped back on 2nd-and-5 and missed running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Linebacker Zach Thomas ended up with the ball and returned it 19 yards to San Diego's 24. Olindo Mare later kicked a 44-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.


Possibly disracted by fires that forced the game to be moved from San Diego to Tempe, the Chargers (1-6) never recovered from the early turnovers.


Making his first start of the season, Brian Griese completed 20-of-29 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Dolphins (5-2) to their fifth win in six games.


Bureau Report