AFC Championship Game Preview: San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots

AFC Championship

San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots

Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA 3 PM ET, CBS

Story behind the game: As if no one knows. The Pats look to make it eighteen straight this Sunday, their fifth AFC Championship in the past seven years. Despite the historical success, players and coaches alike have downplayed their accomplishments; stating nothing short of leaving Glendale, AZ on Feb. 3 with the Lombardi Trophy would suffice. And as if New England needed any sort of extra motivation, a fourth ring in a matter of seven years would drum up some serious dynasty-worth drivel among the nation’s experts.

Why New England will win: They will play the way they have all season. Very few teams, if any at all have shown the ability defensively to contain the Patriots’ record-setting offense. And San Diego should be no exception. Tom Brady once again will have time to scan the field in a lawn chair thanks to an exceptional offensive line that is now getting its fair share of accolades, with three of the five making the Pro Bowl roster. An early to mid-season concern for this team was its ability to run the ball, not that anyone noticed. Well, any qualms regarding that department were put to rest late in the season when teams put seven, sometimes even eight men in coverage to defend the pass. And it seems running back Laurence Maroney has saved his best effort for the playoffs as he scorched the Jaguars for 122 yards last week. If Maroney has a repeat performance in the championship game, not only will New England win, it won’t even be close.

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Why San Diego will win: Key players Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates prove to be bionic. All three have suffered potentially lingering if not downright severe injuries. Gates dislocated his big left toe in the Chargers’ opening round win over Tennessee with Rivers and Tomlinson both going down with gimpy knees the following week against Indianapolis. Rivers remains questionable against the Pats with an injured right MCL while L.T. claims to be probable at best with a hyper extended left knee. And while backups QB Billy Volek and RBs Michael Turner and Darren Sproles got the job done against the Colts, asking for a similar result this week may be too much. For the Bolts to have a fighting chance in this one, Rivers, Tomlinson and Gates will all have to be front and center. If worse comes to worse, San Diego can still grasp for the revenge factor. The Patriots not only whipped them 38- 14 in week two, but sent the Chargers packing last postseason with a 24-21 win in San Diego.

Monday’s Headline Will Read… “Brady, Pats dismiss Bolts, one win away from NFL supremacy.” It’s questionable whether San Diego would challenge New England with a full squad. Now that the three most import pieces of their offense are limping, the Chargers will have to rely on career performances by a number of unproven players. And while it’s inevitable New England will lose one of these days, Pats Nation and its fans can brag about that ‘goose egg’ at least two more weeks.

Prediction: New England 37 - San Diego 18

by Ryan Faller
ProFootball-fans.com Guest writer