Bolts' QB Rivers Says He'll Play
San Diego Chargers' Quarterback Philip Rivers May Face Pats
Jan 20, 2008
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers insists he will play against the New England Patriots today when the Chargers face the Pats in the AFC title game.
Rivers – who suffered a sprained knee in San Diego’s upset divisional victory over Indianapolis last Sunday – didn’t practice last week until Friday. And the often brash QB was spouting off afterward. “The way I felt Monday morning, I didn't think I'd feel as good as I do right now,” Rivers said.
But head coach Norv Turner took a much more cautious approach. River was still listed as doubtful, and Turner told reporters the starting quarterback’s availability would be determined at game time, which is 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today.
“We want him to be able to move well enough to protect himself,” Turner told The Associated Press. Rivers, not the most mobile quarterback in the NFL to begin with, could prove to be a sitting duck for New England’s pass rush. But his backup, Billy Volek, last week’s hero, isn’t all that mobile himself.
According to Patriot defenders, the two quarterbacks are more similar than dissimilar, so they’re not overly concerned about who’s going to start and who’s going to sit.
Other Charger Injuries
To complicate matters, the Bolts also suffered an injury to the NFL’s top running back, LaDainian Tomlinson. And standout tight end Antonio Gates has a dislocated toe. Gates, too, is listed as doubtful. Those three injuries could cripple an effective offensive effort against the Patriots who, with a victory today, will advance to the Super Bowl for the fourth time this century.
For the Chargers, their defense has to step up big time. They led the league in takeaways this season, with 48. They’re also going to have their hands full on defense, with defensive lineman Jamal Williams and Luis Castillo struggling with injuries.
But the Pats were No. 1 in giveaways (9 interceptions/6 fumbles) in the NFL this year. Although San Diego has won eight consecutive games, the Pats are on a 17-0 roll.
New England’s defense will have to force San Diego to throw the ball early and often – and then their secondary will have to shut down the Bolts’ receivers.
New England’s defense has struggled in defending against the pass during the last two games.
Pats’ offensive lineman Matt Light had the flu last week, and could prove susceptible to the Chargers’ pass rush. In their defensive secondary, Ellis Hobbs is banged up, as well.
