I actually love this matchup, because I relish in the fact that the Pats will have another opportunity to silence a team that thinks they have the right to talk trash in this league. Who have they beaten? The Colts? Well that’s all fine and dandy, but the Colts are just a second rate team that didn’t have the large extent of help from the referees that they usually are saved by. What have they accomplished? Nothing, absolutely nothing, they are just a bunch of cry babies that whine and moan their way to victories. What will they accomplish? Chances are that their days are numbered and they know it. On Sunday, they’re up against a team of destiny, a team that will grace the hallowed halls of Canton forever, a team that will be remembered for their dominance and execution for eternity. Stay classy San Diego! Yeah, okay.

Let’s just quickly run through some of the numbers that these two teams accumulated during the regular season. On the year, the Chargers ranked 20th in the league with an average of 315.3 total yards per game. In addition, they averaged 127.4 rushing yards per game, which positioned them seventh amongst NFL rushing attacks and ranked 26th in passing yards with an average of 187.8 yards accumulated per game. On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers ranked 14th in the league with an average of 320.3 total yards conceded per game. While defending the run they permitted an average of 107.0 yards per game, which ranked 16th in the NFL and allowed an average of 213.3 yards through the air per game, which placed them 14th amongst the league’s passing attacks.

Now for the Pats, New England ran up an average of 411.3 total yards per game, which of course was the best in the league. In addition, they accumulated 115.6 rushing yards per game, which positioned them 13th in the league and averaged 295.7 passing yards per game, which once again led the league. On defense, the Pats limited opposing offenses to 288.3 total yards per game, which ranked fourth in the NFL. Not to mention, the Patriots halted opposing rushing attacks to 98.3 yards per game, which ranked 10th and limited passing attacks to 190.1 yards per game, which ranked sixth in the NFL.

Numbers wise, the Pats should dominate and toss aside the Chargers in an effortless win. But this is the playoffs folks and nothing in the playoffs is easy. The Chargers have quarterback Philip Rivers, mouthy running back LaDainian Tomlinson and super tight end Antonio Gates. The Pats have Brady, Welker, Moss, Maroney and a vast array of star players. The superstar edge easily goes to the Patriots.

The Chargers have a solid defense that is capable of stopping anyone on any given Sunday. But, the Patriots do as well and have a defensive mind organizing their various schemes that could be inducted into the Hall of Fame today. Again, the Pats have the edge here.

After the epic battle against the Colts last week, the Chargers are battered and bruised. When you think of the fact that Tomlinson is banged up, Rivers is scratched and Gates’ toe is messed up, it gives the Pats a huge edge. I find it funny though how an injured Rivers strolling the sidelines finds time to yell at the Colts’ fans repeatedly throughout the game. Talk about classless? Wow!

The Patriots need to get an early lead on these guys and never take their foot off the gas. What the Chargers need on Sunday is a monumental beat down to finally show them who the top dog is. San Diego is like the co-worker who talks behind everyone’s back and does nothing short of rubs your feet when you’re face to face. San Diego is a deviant group of babies whose performance right now is a direct result of playing well above their heads.

On Sunday, their run will stop far short of the finish line. Their little splash of victories will end and the Pats will be dancing with excitement and victory all over the place. Sorry San Diego, you’re not invited to the prom.

Leave a Comment