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Chargers look to play spoilers again

Jan 20, 2008 - 12:45 PM San Diego (13-5) at New England (17-0) 3:00 pm EST

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers already ruined one dream matchup. Now they would like to do the same to the New England Patriots' perfect season.

Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Chargers will clash with the undefeated Patriots on Sunday in the AFC championship game.

San Diego is coming off a surprising 28-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, thwarting a dream rematch between top-seeded New England and the second-seeded defending Super Bowl champions.

Instead, it is the Chargers who will gear up for a rematch and attempt to avenge a 38-14 beating at the hands of the Patriots here in Week Two.

"It's obvious that this wasn't the matchup that America wanted to see," San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. (But) this is the matchup ... the two best teams are playing. Everybody had the chance to get to this point, so we're fortunate to be in this situation."

Fortunate might not be the best description for the rampaging Chargers, who have earned their spot in the title game by winning 12 of their last 14 games since opening the season 1-3.

However, while there may no good time to catch New England, it is San Diego's misfortune to be headed east with three of its marquee offensive players staggered by injuries.

Tomlinson was forced out of last weekend's win over Indy in the second quarter with a hyperextended knee, while quarterback Philip Rivers suffered a strained MCL ligament and had to sit out the fourth quarter.

And if that's not enough, Pro Bowler Antonio Gates, the game's best tight end, is battling a dislocated toe that clearly limited him against the Colts.

"I'm concerned. I'm real concerned," said Chargers coach Norv Turner of the injuries. "You can only withstand so many hits. We're getting ready to play the best team in the National Football League. We need to rally the troops and get everyone as healthy as we can be."

The prognosis appears brightest for Tomlinson, who was held to just 43 yards in Week Two, but shredded the Patriots' defense for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 loss in last season's AFC divisional playoffs - a game dominated by the Chargers.

"I think I'll definitely be able to play," Tomlinson said. "I think they've got me listed as questionable, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to play."

Turner said he expects Gates to be "no worse" than last weekend - not exactly a ringing endorsement - so the biggest issue may be the health of Rivers, who has had two of his finest games of the season in the playoffs.

In his three quarters against Indianapolis, Rivers completed 14-of-19 passes for 264 yards with three touchdowns and interception. He has developed a nice chemistry with hulking 6-5 wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who had 12 receptions for 207 yards and two TDs in the postseason.

Turner said Rivers is day-to-day and likely won't practice until late in the week.

"Right now it's probably questionable in terms of playing in the game," Turner said. "But he's got a chance so we'll just monitor it as the week goes on."

That would put the offense in the hands of backup Billy Volek, who led a lengthy game-winning drive against the Colts despite having attempted just 10 passes all season. Volek has not started since 2005, when he was with the Tennessee Titans.

Expecting similar success out of Volek against the Patriots and Most Valuable Player Tom Brady might be asking for too much by even the most ardent San Diego supporter.

Brady, who set the league's single-season touchdown record with 50 vs. just eight interceptions, continued his stellar play in last weekend's 31-20 playoff victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With the Jaguars blanketing deep threat Randy Moss, Brady was content to pick away underneath, setting league records by connecting on his first 16 pass attempts and finishing with the highest completion percentage (92.9) on 26-of-28 passing in league history.

"He makes the throws that most quarterbacks can't make and he makes the reads that most quarterbacks can't make," said Chargers rookie cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who had 11 interceptions on the season. "There are probably only two or three quarterbacks in the NFL that can do the things that Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Brett Favre can do. They make the throws that no one else can make and that's what separates them from the rest."

Brady's task has been made easier by New England's resurgent running game. Laurence Maroney has had three 100-yard games in his last four, giving the highest-scoring offense in league history an added dimension to what San Diego saw in Week Two.

Not surprisingly, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he is not putting much stock in the early-season meeting.

"Well, a lot's happened since then," Belichick said. "Going out on the road and winning in Indianapolis ... shows what kind of mental toughness they have. We know we're going to have to play our best game of the year."