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Chargers seek revenge against Patriots

Sep 16, 2007 - 11:08 AM San Diego (1-0) at New England (1-0) Sunday 8:15 pm EDT

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - LaDainian Tomlinson will have payback on his mind when the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots meet Sunday night in a battle of AFC heavyweights.

Tomlinson enjoyed a magical 2006 campaign, setting a single-season record with 31 touchdowns and leading the league with 1,815 rushing yards en route to winning Most Valuable Player honors.

Despite all the accomplishments, Tomlinson's season failed to result in a trip to the Super Bowl after the Chargers were upset at home in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs by the Patriots.

Tomlinson rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 64 yards in the 24-21 loss on January 14. The Chargers, who had the NFL's best record, squandered a 21-13 fourth-quarter lead in a game they had dominated.

Nate Kaeding had a chance to send the game into overtime for the Chargers, but missed a 54-yard field goal with three seconds remaining.

After Kaeding's miss, many of the Patriots flung their helmets in the air and danced in the middle of the field to celebrate.

The Patriots' celebration incensed the normally reserved Tomlinson, who refused to shake hands with several Patriots after the game.

"I would never, ever react in that way," Tomlinson said. "I'm a very classy person and I would not have reacted like that. I was very upset. When you go to the middle of our field and you start doing the dance that (Chargers linebacker) Shawne Merriman is known for, that's disrespectful. It showed no class at all and maybe that comes from their coach."

A two-time Super Bowl MVP, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady knew what he had to endure to beat the Chargers in that playoff contest.

"That was as tough a game as I can remember playing," said Brady, who completed 27-of-51 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chargers were done in by mistakes as they committed four turnovers. Philip Rivers also struggled, completing 14-of-32 passes for 230 yards with an interception.

The playoff disappointment resulted in a coaching change for the Chargers. Marty Schottenheimer was fired and replaced with Norv Turner.

Turner's debut on the sidelines was a success as the Chargers posted a 14-3 win over Chicago in their season opener last Sunday.

Tomlinson was contained by an aggressive Chicago defense, rushing for just 25 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. But he also made an impact elsewhere, throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates in the third quarter to give the Chargers a 7-3 lead. Gates finished with nine receptions for 107 yards.

After beating San Diego last January, New England was denied another Super Bowl trip after losing to Indianapolis in the championship game.

The Patriots retooled in the offseason, bringing in wide receivers Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker and linebacker Adalius Thomas.

All the offensive firepower was on display in the season opener as the Patriots rolled to a 38-14 victory over the New York Jets.

Seemingly motivated again, Moss looked liked the perennial Pro Bowler he used to be. He caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown.

Welker also got into the act, catching six passes for 61 yards and a score.

Brady, who rarely was pressured, dissected the Jets to complete 22-of-28 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

In their last visit here in 2005, the Chargers ended the Patriots' 21-game home winning streak with a dominating 41-17 win. Tomlinson rushed for two touchdowns and Gates had six receptions for 108 yards.