The Chargers stunned the Colts, 28-24, yesterday at the RCA Dome, scoring the winning points on a drive led by backup quarterback Billy Volek, and rendering moot the inevitable Brady-Manning and Belichick-Dungy debates.
Regardless of the opponent, the Patriots' focus remains on erasing the bad memories of last year's AFC title tilt by winning this one.
"We've put in a lot of hard work and effort and we've played a lot of football games to get to the exact same point that we were at last year," said coach Bill Belichick. "You just don't play the game that we played in last year and then show up and play another one.
"You've got to play. You've got to earn a lot along the way to get to that point and we've done that and with all that work and all that effort. Whatever we've done to get to this point now we're at the same point we were last year, and I think the big thing now is that we understand what we have to do going forward. Hopefully, we'll be able to do better this time."
To reach this point, the top-seeded and undefeated Patriots overwhelmed the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-20, Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
In their path stands a San Diego team that is playing nothing like the shell-shocked group that was shellacked by the Patriots, 38-14, in Week 2. Riding the emotional wave in the wake of Videogate, New England jumped out to a 24-0 lead, turning a primetime showdown into an embarrassing rout.
But that was gridiron eons ago, when freakishly athletic cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions, was not even a starter. New coach Norv Turner was trying to figure out how to utilize LaDainian Tomlinson, who ended up leading the NFL in rushing with 1,474 yards. Wide receiver Chris Chambers, who was acquired via trade in October, was still a member of the Miami Dolphins, and linebacker Shawne Merriman and his mates were adjusting to new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.
