Chargers outlast Colts in AFC Wild Card
And so the Chargers remarkable season continues. San Diego came out on top of its AFC Wild Card showdown with the Indianapolis Colts. It was a game that saw two of the NFL’s hottest teams collide, and it took an overtime period to decide its victor. When it was finally completed the Chargers had come away with the win, stunning Peyton Manning and all the critics who thought the Colts were a lock for making it to the divisional playoff round. But before ever reaching that point the two teams had to duke it out in what was probably the best game of the weekend.
The way the Colts offense started the game it looked like the Chargers were in big trouble. Indianapolis drove the ball into San Diego territory on their initial drive, but not deep enough to be in position for a score. On their second drive, however, the Chargers could do nothing to stop them. Manning looked sharp, connecting on six of six passes and setting up Joseph Addai for a one yard touchdown run, which gave the Colts a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing possession the Chargers could not answer and failed to score for what was already their third drive. But in a game that would be based so much on field position, Scifres, who had a spectacular night punting, pinned the Colts back at their own three yard line.
The Colts had no success moving the ball after Scifres punt, which became somewhat of a theme for the game, and the end result was the Chargers getting excellent field position. On the very next drive the Chargers took the ball in for their first score, a three yard touchdown run by Ladainian Tomlinson. It was one of the few carries Tomlinson would be able to make as he would be sidelined with a serious groin injury. Luckily for San Diego they still had Darren Sproles who by night’s end would be the hero of the game.
As the first half wore on the Chargers defense showed they had come to play. Unlike the initial score they surrendered, when it looked like the Colts would have their way easily, the Chargers defense confused and contained Manning. They allowed only one more field goal before halftime and gave their offense the chance to take the lead, which they eventually did.
> Find great San Diego Chargers apparel & jerseys online through Pro Football Fans and check out the 2008 NFL scores!
With 4:53 remaining in the half and trailing 10-7 San Diego was forced to punt. Once again Scifres pinned the Colts back at their own 7 yard line and once again the Colts went three and out. The ensuing punt by Hunter Smith set the Chargers up at the Indianapolis 45 and the Chargers would take advantage of the great field position for a second time. With Tomlinson now out of the game Sproles took over, helping to move the Bolts down the field and capping off the drive with a nine yard touchdown run. San Diego went into the half up 14-10.
In the second half the Colts came back. Despite being stuck back at their own nine again by a Scifres punt, Indianapolis found a way to break out. Their second touchdown of the game came on huge play, a 72 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Reggie Wayne. On a 3 rd and 5 from their own 28, Manning caught the Chargers off guard as they were slow to set their defense. The 2008 MVP hit a wide open Wayne who took it the distance for the score and the lead.
On their next possession the Chargers tried to answer with a touchdown of their own and nearly did. Sproles, who would end up with 328 all purpose yards and would later become the hero, nearly became the game’s goat. The Chargers had driven to the Colts nine yard line when Rivers connected with Sproles at the two. But as Sproles was being tackled and stretching for the goal line he fumbled, allowing the Colts to regain the ball and kill the San Diego drive.
The rest of the third quarter and most of the fourth quarter was a defensive struggle as both teams repeatedly made big plays to the prevent the others offense from scoring. Rivers was sacked twice and intercepted once and as time was winding down in regulation and the Colts backed up yet again by another brilliant Scifres punt, Manning was sacked at the Indianapolis one yard line on a 3 rd and two. The Colts were forced to punt and this time the Chargers would start their drive from the Indianapolis 38. San Diego moved the ball to inside the ten where Nick Kaeding made the chip shot field goal to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The Chargers won the toss at the start of the extra session and then began driving downfield. A key play came on the first series when on a 3rd and eleven Rivers hit Sproles for a 13 yard gain and a first down. The Chargers continued to make plays to get into scoring position, but the Colts helped them along the way. Indianapolis committed three penalties, totaling 25 yards, but the biggest mistake came on another third down attempt.
With the ball at the Colts 40 and needing eight yards for a first down Rivers through an incompletion to Chris Chambers. San Diego would’ve been looking at a 57 yard field goal attempt from that spot and most likely would have had to punt, but Tim Jennings was called for a defensive hold. The penalty gave the Chargers five more yards and a fresh set of downs. One play later the Colts were called for a facemask which brought the Chargers to the 20 yard line. It was then that Darren Sproles would finish things off, breaking a 22 yard run for the game ending touchdown.
And so one hot team’s season comes to an end while the other’s continues. The Chargers were not expected to beat the Colts, but for the second year in a row they have done just that. Another important thing to note here, the Chargers, for the first time this season, are above .500. Their record stands at 9-8 and they’ll take it into Pittsburgh next week when they’ll have a rematch with the Steelers who beat them earlier this season by a score of 11-10. San Diego will undoubtedly be the underdog, but they are rejuvenated and right now, a very dangerous team.
By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com San Diego Chargers Correspondent