Pat's Daunting Challenge

Pats' Daunting Challenge

By Tim Sullivan
contributing writer

This is where the ride came to an end last season. The unstoppable Patriots, winners of three out of four Super Bowl championships, took their act on the road in the divisional round and were sent packing by the Broncos.

Fast forward a year later. The Patriots are again in the divisional round, they are again on the road, and they are again facing an AFC West team, this time the Chargers (San Diego is -5 Sunday on WagerWeb.com).

But for a change, the focus is off the Patriots. They are the underdog this time. They are the less explosive team. They are the less likely to move on.

"They're the best team. They've been the best team. Pretty much from the start of the season until the present day, so I'm sure they're going to play the type of game that they've played all year, which is pretty good," Patriots defensive back Artrell Hawkins said of the Chargers. "They've played well from ahead, they've played well from behind. They have a bunch of guys who play good on an individual level, which makes them good collectively while executing."

Look no further than running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Quarterback Philip Rivers? He may be staring at his first playoff test, but for Tomlinson, this is Test No. 2. He and the Bolts lost to the Jets in the wild-card round two years ago and have been hungry to redeem themselves ever since.

"I think he does a great job of running the ball, not just him but the offensive line, the tight ends, the fullbacks, they do a good job blocking for him," Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin said. "Obviously everything he's done this year has been tremendous. It's going to be up to us to limit that come Sunday."

Good luck. After all, the Patriots may have a tremendous defense, but let's face it, they beat the Jets, 37-16, last week at Gillette Stadium.

These aren't the Jets. And this isn't Foxborough.

"Their team is built real well. They've got a great defense, great special teams. Their offense can move the ball, especially in the running game," Colvin said of the Chargers. "Possession of the football is definitely going to be a must in this game, in any game it is. But definitely when you come down to crunch time in a playoff game, you definitely want to have possession of the ball."

The Patriots will try to accomplish that with their young-old duo in the backfield, rookie Laurence Maroney and veteran Corey Dillon. Of course, if all else fails, there's can't-miss quarterback Tom Brady.

"We have to work together. If we make a mistake it can cost our offense," Patriots tight end Daniel Graham said. "We have to work together and be on the same page."

They've done a good job of doing that in the Bill Belichick Era. Only time will tell if the Chargers can change that.

FLYING DOLPHIN: The winter weather hasn't been bad in the North, and that's a good thing for Miami owner Wayne Huizenga, who flew all over the region on Wednesday looking for a new coach. He first landed in Newark, N.J., and interviewed Giants outgoing defensive coordinator Tim Lewis. He then flew to Long Island to interview Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

From there, he flew to Michigan to interview Lions offensive coordinator and former Rams head coach Mike Martz.

Lots of miles, lots of interviews. Huizenga can thank Nick Saban for that.

EXTRA POINTS: Chicago cornerback Charles Tillman (back) has been practicing and should play against the Eagles on Sunday. He is listed as questionable. The Bears are -8.5 on WagerWeb.com. ... Colts rookie running back Joseph Addai (chest) has also been practicing and will start against the Ravens on Saturday. Baltimore is -4 on http://www.wagerweb.com/affiliatesred/AF3487/23//www.wagerweb.com