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Patriots-Chargers Preview
By Chris Cluff
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Patriots (13-4) at Chargers (14-2), 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)
line: Chargers -4.5 (46.5)
Perhaps the best matchup of the divisional playoffs pits league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers against Tom Brady and the New England
Tomlinson put together one of the best seasons in history, leading the league with 1,815 rushing yards and scoring an NFL-record 31 touchdowns as the Chargers secured the AFC’s top seed.
Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback, has led the Patriots to seven wins in the past eight games, including an easy 37-16 blowout of the New York Jets in the wild-card round last weekend.
That made Brady 11-1 as a starter in the playoffs, and Coach Bill Belichick 12-2.
“You definitely respect them for the things they’ve done in the past and the things they’ve done throughout the season,” Chargers tight end Antonio Gates told reporters. “You just want to go out and play with respect. But at the same time, you fear no one. That’s our mindset.”
Tomlinson certainly does not fear the Patriots. In 2002, he rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 21-14 home win. And last season, he rushed for 134 yards and two scores as the Chargers won 41-17 to end the Patriots’ 21-game home winning streak.
“He’s the MVP. I don’t know how you could be any more complete than that,” Belichick told reporters. “He’s looked pretty good to me, unfortunately, every time we’ve seen him. We’re usually looking at the back of his jersey. We haven’t done very well against him. He’s killed a lot of people besides us, and he’s killed us.”
But this is the playoffs, where the Chargers have not had nearly as much success as the Patriots. San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer has lost his last five playoff games, including a 20-17 overtime loss to the Jets two seasons ago, and is 5-12 in the postseason.
The Chargers won all eight games at home this season, but the Patriots went 7-1 on the road and are facing Philip Rivers, San Diego’s inconsistent first-year quarterback who will be making his first postseason start.
“I’m not sure what to expect from him,” Tomlinson admitted. “He is excited about being in the playoffs. Part of being a quarterback, you keep that even keel of not getting too excited.”
Best bet: In the past two seasons, teams with quarterbacks making their first playoff starts are 0-6. New England, 27-20.
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