New England Patriots v. San Diego Chargers 2008 NFL Playoff Predictions
June 10, 2008
The San Diego Chargers head to Foxboro to take on the undefeated New England Patriots Sunday afternoon. San Diego already spoiled one dream match-up in what we all expected to be a rematch from last year’s AFC Championship game. The Chargers knocked off the Indianapolis Colts despite being a double-digit underdog. Now San Diego finds themselves a 14-point underdog against the Patriots this Sunday in what will be a rematch from a Week 2 blowout by New England 38-14. The Chargers can definitely talk a big game, but when it comes to backing it up against the Patriots, San Diego has not been very successful at all.
“It’s obvious that this wasn’t the matchup that America wanted to see,” San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. But this is the matchup, the two best teams are playing. Everybody had the chance to get to this point, so we’re fortunate to be in this situation.” The Chargers aren’t so fortunate in the health department. Philip Rivers is now listed as doubtful at quarterback with a partially torn ACL and a sprained MCL. LaDainian Tomlinson has a hyper-extended knee that kept him out of the second half in their last game against the Colts. Antonio Gates is battling a toe injury that limited his action in the last game as well. Questions are still in the air about the health of their three best offensive players, and if the Chargers are to win this game they will surely need these studs going at full strength.
There is definitely bad blood heading into Sunday’s match-up between these two hated AFC opponents. The Patriots did the Shawn Merriman ‘Lights Out’ dance on the 50-yard line after beating San Diego in last season’s AFC Divisional game. Ladainian Tomlinson called New England players classless while Philip Rivers exclaimed that Ellis Hobbs was the “sorriest corner in the league.” Their Week 2 match-up was only a small taste of what we will see in the playoffs, a time when it really matters most.
The New England Patriots have seemed virtually unstoppable this season and most experts believe that the Colts were the only team that could possibly knock them off. The Chargers have been written off already in this one, and how could they not be with the injuries they are facing. Tom Brady, who set the league’s single-season touchdown record with 50 vs. just eight interceptions, continued his stellar play in last weekend’s 31-20 playoff victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the Jaguars blanketing deep threat Randy Moss, Brady was content to pick away underneath, setting league records by connecting on his first 16 pass attempts and finishing with the highest completion percentage ( 92.9) on 26-of-28 passing in league history.
Tom Brady has been getting much help from the Patriots running game as of late, an aspect of New England that nobody seems to be focusing on. Laurence Maroney has quietly ran for three 100-yard performances in his last four games. The Chargers could let a few long run go by when they blitz the house, leaving open running lanes for Maroney on draw plays and screens. Maroney’s success in the running game will only enhance Brady’s chances to be even more successful in the passing game. One thing is certain, the San Diego Chargers definitely have their hands full with perhaps the best team this prestigious league has seen in NFL History.
Notable Betting Trends for the AFC Championship Game:
The Chargers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
The Chargers are 11-3-2 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog.
The Patriots are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Patriots are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 playoff home games.
The Patriots are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference championship games.
The Chargers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog of 10.5 points or more.
