I think this is the one matchup that the Chargers would dread. If they force Rivers to take care of the game then all bets are off.

The Chargers are a better team, but Brady and the defense likely won't go quietly into the night.

should be a great one

I think you said it best. They'd probably rather play the Colts even if they had a choice for next week. Unless Philly (or NY!) really starts routing, the Patriots looked the most solid during the first round.

I'd say there's no stopping LT, but then again I think about LJ and the Indy game yesterday and wonder ...

Stopping LT isn't a necessity. He's going to be able to do his thing and he'll get some scores, undoubtedly. The Patriots have to make Rivers beat them, though, as much as possible. If they can make him put it up 30-times or more, I like the Pats chances.

And, there's one huge factor in the Patriots favor here, the coaching. Bill B has a much better history in the playoffs than ol' Marty. Throw in the fact that Rivers has never been in a playoff game before and this is going to be a very interesting day. SD will be favored, certainly, but I can't see it being by more than 3-5 points at the most.

i say the patriots win this one 23-20

The last time they got to face a first-year game manager QB in the playoffs they skull-fucked the Steelers on the road. But then this Pats team may not be as good.

Pats win a close one.

not sure why you'd make this claim, this team is the most well rounded team in the NFL this year. If you look at yards/play on offense, the pats are #2 (behind only the colts offense). The pats defensive yards/play is #1 in the league (the next closest teams are NFC teams; bears, saints). And if you're making a wide receivers reference, i think gaffney proved this past week that the offense can exploit matchups.

I hope I'm wrong but I see the Chargers winning this. LT scares me but I think the Pats will have a hard time stopping Gates.

This is the game I've been hoping for. Tom Brady is scary in the playoffs.

San Diego 37-21

rodney'll be back, yeah?

From what I have read it doesn't look good.

or it does, depending on perspective

yep, Seau too

Hopefully I’m wrong but I think the only way Rodney plays again this year is if the Pats make it to the Super Bowl.

The timetable was 2-4 weeks so it's not impossible for him to come back if the Pats are playing in the AFC championship.

that's what i was thinking when the time frame originally came out. i think it was colvin that said recently in an interview, that rodney keeps himself in such good shape, and works so hard, that no matter the expected time out, cut it in half and he'll be ready... i'm hoping rosie knows best and rodney's around to line up with gates.

His 4-6 week prognosis for the broken shoulder blade against the Colts took him the full 6 weeks to come back from.

The Pats knew they wouldn’t need him to beat the Jets, hopefully 2 weeks of rest and treatment is enough. It’s possible and I’m sure he wants to play against his former team.

that's a very different situation considering this is his old team and the playoffs... taking the full 6 weeks doesn't tell us that he was unable to play, but rather that he didn't have to play... (to be as optomistic as possible)

and you'd rather have Harrison out there over someone who is fully healthy? Just asking, i know what he brings to the defense. Maybe they'll have Harrison come back in a smaller role...in the box for run packages and to help cover Gates on 3rd down passing situations?