Pats, Bolts Face off for AFC Title
The New England Patriots Host the San Diego Chargers Sunday
Jan 19, 2008
The New England Patriots are prepared to host the San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
The Pats – who sported a perfect 16-0 regular season, and cruised last weekend when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs – are the virtual unanimous pick over the Bolts, who eked out a win over Indianapolis last Sunday afternoon.
New England soundly defeated San Diego 38-14, Sept. 16, but the Chargers have undergone a drastic change since their loss in Week Two of the 2007 season, but have generally struggled in road games.
Complicating matters, its still not certain if San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers will be able to play. Rivers is suffering from a sprained knee and hasn’t practiced all week. And All-Pro Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson, although active in practice this week, sat out most of the Bolts’ divisional contest last weekend after sustaining a hyper-extended knee.
Let’s break things down…
Patriots’ Offense Versus Chargers’ Defense
First and foremost, New England sports the most potent passing attack in the NFL. Both quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss broke all-time, single season records in 2007. Brady hurled 50 touchdowns, breaking Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning’s previous record of 49, while Moss snagged 23 touchdown passes, breaking Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice’s single season record of 22.
Brady has been relentless all season long, and hit for an amazing 26 for 28 attempts last week in the divisional – even though favorite target Moss only snagged a single pass.
He’s also got an army of other, very gifted wideouts, including Wes Welker (112 receptions, 1,175 yards, 8 TDs), Donte Stallworth (46 receptions, 697 yards, 3 TDs) and Jabar Gaffney (36 receptions, 445 yards, 5 TDs), and tight end Ben Watson (36 receptions, 389 yards, 6 TDs). And both running backs Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk are adept at pass catching, as well.
Maroney has also made a definite impact on the ground of late. He’s got a 4.5 yards-per-rush average and has tallied six regular season touchdowns. Likewise, Faulk is a tough runner in his own right, averaging 4.3 yards-per-carry rushing during the regular season. The Patriots’ ground game is badly underrated.
The Patriots’ offensive line, featuring Matt Light and Nick Kaczur, has done well against the pass rush, and consistently opens gaps for New England’s running game.
San Diego’s defense has done a credible job, but may well be overwhelmed by the job at hand. They rank 14th in pass defense, 16th in rush defense, and 14th overall defensively in the NFL. Just a bit less than easy pickings for a potent Patriots’ offense.
Chargers’ cornerback Antonio Cromartie told The Associated Press the squad knows it’s going to be an uphill battle. “We have to get our minds focused for a great Patriots team,” he said. “They are undefeated and had a great season so we just have to get ourselves prepared.” San Diego would also love to exact revenge for the drubbing they took at the hands of the Pats during the regular season. There’s no love lost between these two franchises.
The defense did lead the NFL in turnover recoveries with +24 in the regular season, and they also topped the NFL in interceptions with 33, including the post-season, but their defenders are going to have to perform in a superhuman manner if they expect to beat Brady & Co.
That said, Cromartie and fellow corner Quentin Jammer will have to shut down Moss and Welker. Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman and fellow linebackers Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm must pressure Brady, yet remain cognizant of New England’s resurgent rushing game. Expect them to rely on five-man pressures versus the Patriots’ offense. Yet the Pats are well versed in facing the standard 3-4 defense, which San Diego has heavily relied upon.
Chargers’ Offense Versus Patriots’ Defense
San Diego features Tomlinson, the No. 1 running back in the NFL, but how healthy is he? He practiced again beginning Thursday, but will he be at 100%, or will one good hit relegate him to the sidelines? And what of Philip Rivers? He’s far from the most mobile quarterback in the league, essentially a pure pocket passer. If he plays at all, his bum knee will slow him down even more. They may be forced to go with backup QB Billy Volek, but he, too, doesn’t have a lot of mobility.
Top receiver Antonio Gates continues to suffer the effects of a dislocated toe, although the acquisition of wideout Chris Chambers has given San Diego a solid alternate target. They’ve also got Vincent Jackson, who performed well against Indianapolis. So did running back Michael Turner, subbing for Tomlinson.
Figure the Chargers will try to wear down New England’s aging linebacking corps early, but if the Pats secure an early lead – say, two touchdowns or more – San Diego will be forced to sport a one-dimensional offense, and strictly pass. The Bolts will attempt to stretch out New England’s secondary in spite of the presence of corner Asante Samuel and strong safety Rodney Harrison.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork and defensive end Richard Seymour – both All-Pro caliber players – will need to stop the run, yet be ready to mount a pass rush, along with Patriots’ linebackers Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau, Tedy Bruschi and Adalius Thomas. The linebackers will also have to be alert for passes in the flat to San Diego’s running backs.
Special Teams
Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski is a pretty sure thing, although he missed little more than a chip shot field goal attempt last week. But the Pats have to be on guard against San Diego running back Darren Sproles, who is a definite breakaway return threat.
