The San Diego Chargers have been called the best team in the NFL for much of the season. We’ve been saying it since we started and most of the sports media has followed suit. But now they’ve drawn the playoff savvy Patriots in the AFC Divisionals and a lot of people are jumping ship. It’s quite a fitting matchup. Marty Schottenheimer, long accused of being a playoff goat, goes up against the best playoff coach in recent memory. A loaded, young San Diego Chargers team goes up against a team of veterans with three Super Bowls this decade. Something has to give. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM EST on CBS.
The Chargers finished 14-2 with first-year starter Philip Rivers at the helm. Their lone two losses were on the road and given away in typical Chargers fashion. Things have changed since then, however. It’s the Chargers making the comebacks. They came back from 21 points down in consecutive road games at Cincinnati and at Denver, the first time in NFL history that had happened. Some first year starter huh? Rivers finished the season with 22 touchdowns to just 9 interceptions while having the 8th highest quarterback rating in the league (92.0).
If you haven’t heard, Rivers is surrounded by weapons. League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson will be the focal point of Bill Belichick’s defensive schemes. Tomlinson broke the record for most touchdowns in a season with 31, along with setting an NFL points record and winning the NFL rushing crown. Not a bad year for LT. But the Bolts offense isn’t just LT and 10 clowns. It’s the league’s premier tight end in Antonio Gates (71 catches, 924 yards, 9 TDs) and an underrated group of receivers. Watch out for 2nd year guy Vincent Jackson. At 6′5, Jackson is a huge mismatch on New England’s smaller cornerbacks. Don’t overlook veteran Keenan McCardell and clutch receiver Eric Parker. Parker had 48 catches on the year, 35 of them going for first downs. He’s been banged up by injury but his presence really helps Rivers stay comfortable.
The visiting team is no slouch, however. Everyone knows Tom Brady’s playoff resume. 11-1 in the postseason, 3 Super Bowl Championships, and two Super Bowl MVPs. Despite losing his top two receivers, David Givens and Deion Branch, he’s had a great year. Brady finished with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. New England’s strength is their runing game. Veteran Corey Dillon ran for 812 yards and was boosted by the addition of rookie Laurence Maroney, who ran for 739 yards. The two combined for 19 touchdowns. The musical chairs that are New England’s wide receiver position are currently manned by Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney. Two University of Florida rejects, Caldwell caught 61 passes this year and Gaffney came up huge in last week’s win over the Jets.
Everything San Diego lacks in playoff success, they make up for with speed and athleticism. This team has a history of heartbreaks but they’re simply the most talented team in the league. They’ve earned home field advantage, where they were 8-0 this year. I can’t see San Diego losing this one despite the prowess of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. They’re simply better on both sides of the ball and they’ll be backed by 70,000 fans that are starving for their first championship.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Patriots 21
