AFC Championship -- Chargers at Patriots

The stage is set for a week 2 rematch, a game in which the Chargers were completely blown out, 38-14. That was a completely different Chargers team, as they are now firing on all cylinders. However, they are riddled with injuries, and have to go up against the 17-0 Patriots. Not only that, but the game is in New England. Can the Chargers even keep it close?

Not so fast, my friend. The Patriots are very good, but this is the playoffs and anything can happen. Assuming Rivers, Gates, and LT are all healthy, this should be a close game. It's a very tall order to go into NE and win a playoff game, but it's certainly possible.

The game is Sunday, January 20th at 3 PM ET.

Game preview

It's no Patriots vs Colts, but *sighs*, it'll have to do.

I'll go with the upset and pick the Pats.

God I'm still trying to get over the fact that the Chargers beat the Colts, I can't believe it.

WTF? I just saw ESPN and the championship games in both the NFC and AFC are a rematch of Week 2 :| and both of those games were blowouts. Not only that, almost the same score 35-13, 38-14. Creepy if you ask me.D3s7rUc71oN

WHOA! Your right, thats crazy!

Patriots win 31-38W

this should be a close game.murlow12

Lol, good luck man.

Seriously, good luck, hahaha.

Patriots win 31-38W

fallofmanps3

BACKWARDS NUMBERS *mind explodes*.

Forget the way you faced the numbers, mine are 34 - 17.

Pats.

My Pick: Teh Patriots...

Pats should win easily 38-14

I'm honestly not surprised that the Chargers won. They've had the edge over the Colts for the last few years now, and Manning has always choked in the playoffs aside from last year's AFC championship. As for beating the Patriots, I have a hard time seeing it won by a banged up Chargers group. Renegade_Fury

Yep he choked. 33-48 for 402 yards and 3 TDs. Both interceptions were tipped. He made two great throws in the last drive that were first downs and were dropped. Wayne's one was a big hit, but Clark just dropped it. Ugoh let Merriman go at the drive before.The Colts lost b/c every time Manning drove them down the field, and he did it often, the receivers let him down. 3 straight golden scoring opportunities ruined by fumble, tipped ball, tipped ball. The defense sucked too. Manning dominated the Chargers in that game. Watch what he did, not what his reputation WAS.
Other than Brady, he gave the best QB performance of the weekend. But as football is a team sport, you just can't win when your defense can't stop the other team's backup QB and RB, your run game doesn't work and your receivers make crucial mistakes. Manning was the only one who played a great game through and through, but if nothing else is working, even he can't pull it off.manningbowl135

Right there was the key for the lose, those tips. Not like Manning can stop a defense from making a good/lucky play on the ball.

I think Patriots have this in the bag, but you are right about one thing: anything can happen, but I think our spread offense can exploit Chargers' bad secondary and exploit the Gates injury to their advantage. Even if Gates decide to suit up, he lost a lot of explosiveness and won't be a much factor. dkhw

Bad secondary? They have the best corner in the League.

Manning didn't Choke the Team did. The better team lost in that game. Just_Osmo

I wouldn't say that. The Colts I think are the better team, but on Sunday they weren't. That defense didn't even resemble a good D. Sanders sucked. Not how a DPOY sucks, just sucked. Receivers sucked, blockers wore down later in the game and overall execution was just messy and not Colts like at all. They lost b/c they were the worse team on Sunday.

By the end it was painful to watch. Volek, Rivers getting all the time in the world. Sanders may be the DPoY, but that defense is based on pressure. They really missed one of the most disruptive force in Freeney today. Mathis just can't do what he does when he's doubled.

Manning didn't Choke the Team did. The better team lost in that game. Just_Osmo

hmm, this should be a great game, personally i think the pats will win

who do you have winning this game?!?!

Contrary to popular belief, I believe this will be a close game. Both teams are riding momentum, the Patriots obviously with a little more. Reports out of San Diego is that Phillip Rivers is day to day, Antonio Gates is out, and L.T. and Antonio Cromartie are probable. Filling in at tight end will be a combination of Brandon Malumaleuna and Naanee from Boise State. I think if San Diego can dominate in the trenches, and hit Brady up a few times, they can stay in this game and have a chance to pull the upset of centuries. Go Chargers!

hmm, this should be a great game, personally i think the pats will win

who do you have winning this game?!?!

BeanTownBrown86

Then again, I said I thought the Colts would win, so I hope I'm wrong again.

Bu bu bu teh Spygate
Bu bu bu teh Tom Brady, iz 2 good
Bu bu bu teh Bellichick
Bu bu bu teh homeyfield vantage iz no fair

Pats win 31-10.

Brady: 25-32 304 yds, 3 TD 1 int.

Hmm the perfect pats or the banged up bolts??? Im gunna have to go with pats.

I honestly wasnt suprised by them beating the colts. They have had the colts number for quite awhile. I think they have one 10 out of there last 12 meeting. I know its something like that. Anyways, I just dont see the chargers beating the pats with all there injuries. Of course we dont know who is actualy going to play but say they all do. At what percent are they??? Patriots run game has finally taken off again as well. So brady doesnt always have to throw. Even though I know he would rather throw it 100% of the time.

Score pats 35 - chargers 17.

patriots win 35-17

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

Padrepride

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

Padrepride

The Chargers do have a good defense, but you have to remember they are playing one of the best QB's of all time. I'm not saying they won't force any turnovers, as they likely will, but I think Tom can surgically tear it apart similarly to last time. If they cover the long ball, Tom will throw screens and dumps. If they cover the short ball, there's always running with Maroney or the occasional play to Moss. The only way they will be able to beat the Pats is if they get to Brady, quickly and efficiently. A lot too.

[QUOTE="Padrepride"]

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

BeanTownBrown86

[QUOTE="BeanTownBrown86"][QUOTE="Padrepride"]

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

murlow12

Since historically this season the Patriots are the team that is not giving way here I see the Chargers being the one giving way.

[QUOTE="murlow12"][QUOTE="BeanTownBrown86"][QUOTE="Padrepride"]

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

Just_Osmo

Since historically this season the Patriots are the team that is not giving way here I see the Chargers being the one giving way.

[QUOTE="Just_Osmo"][QUOTE="murlow12"][QUOTE="BeanTownBrown86"][QUOTE="Padrepride"]

I think people are seriously underrating the Chargers defense. They have a solid secondary with Cromartie picking everything off, running them back, and returning field goals for 109 yards, and then they have the intense linebacking corps with Merriman, Phillips and rookies Eric Weddle and Matt Wilhelm.If the Bolts can get away and score with a couple of turnovers, they'll have a chance.

murlow12

Since historically this season the Patriots are the team that is not giving way here I see the Chargers being the one giving way.

I never said anything about 16-0. Why don't you stop putting words into my mouth. I said historically this season they have not been the ones giving in, thay have been the ones that step it up every single game period. The Charger's may have been stepping it up as of late, but unlike the Patriot's they have given in.

This was all in responce to you saying somethings got to give. I simply am saying the Pat's haven't yet given in. But the Chargers have.

I never said anything about 16-0. Why don't you stop putting words into my mouth. I said historically this season they have not been the ones giving in, thay have been the ones that step it up every single game period. The Charger's may have been stepping it up as of late, but unlike the Patriot's they have given in.Just_Osmo

The Patriots have not "given in" this season = The Patriots are 16-0*

:|

That asterisk thing is so, so played.

An asterisk for trying to cheat but not actually giving the team an unfair advantage at ANY point in the season?

Hahaha, I don't have any problem with that asterisk, no sensible person does. Probably why no one in the media is talking about it anymore, at all.

Man, the the Pats earning the first 16-0 regular season ever must really, really bother you.... but if putting an asterisk after the record makes it an easier pill to swallow then by all means be my guest.