The Cardinals made this an interesting game but the Chargers were just the better team.  Philip Rivers had his best game in over a month as he completed 19 of 24 passes for 231 yards with 2 TDs and an INT.  LaDainian Tomlinson took it easy today with 16 carries for 66 yards (4.1 ypc).  Michael Turner played well as he carried the ball 11 times for 58 yards (5.3 ypc).  The Chargers even gave the ball to Lorenzo Neal twice and he rolled off 46 yards.  Eric Parker led the Chargers receivers with 5 grabs for 62 yards.  Antonio Gates had a solid game with 4 catches for 56 yards and a TD.  Vincent Jackson added 3 catches for 28 yards and a TD.

The defense had a rough game for the Chargers.  The Cardinals carried the ball 22 times for 98 yards (4.5 ypc).  The Cardinals completed 22 of 32 passes for 346 net yards passing.

The Chargers have clinched the AFC Western Division and a first round bye.  They can clinch homefield advantage with:  1) a win or tie  2) A Baltimore Ravens loss or tie.

I have a feeling that the Chargers will have no problem securing homefield advantage by beating the Arizona Cardinals in San Diego where the Chargers are 7-0 this season.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Marty Schottenheimer finally gets the monkey off his back and wins the Super Bowl this season.  After all, Bill Cowher won last year after being a career failure in big games during his NFL career.

The Chargers were in a little trouble in this game until Philip Rivers dropped back late in the 4th quarter and hit Vincent Jackson for his second TD pass of the game to seal this victory.  Rivers had a rough game overall as he only completed 10 of 30 passes for 181 yards and 2 TDs.  LaDainian Tomlinson had another good game with 22 carries for 123 yards (5.6 ypc).  Michael Turner backed him up with 4 carries for 29 yards (7.3 ypc).  Vincent Jackson had a huge game with 5 catches for 97 yards and 2 TDs.  Antonio Gates caught 2 passes for 63 yards.

The defense was very opportunistic against the Seahawks offense.  Shawne Merriman had a monster game with 5 tackles, 3 sacks and he defensed 2 passes.  Reserve DB Clinton Hart had probably his best game ever as a pro with 3 tackles and 2 interceptions.  DE Jacques Cesaire registered 6 tackles and 2 sacks.  The Chargers did have problems stopping the Seahawks’ running game as they carried the ball 33 times for 153 yards (4.6 ypc).  The Seahawks only completed 17 of 37 passes for 161 net yards passing.

The Chargers improved to 13-2 on the season with this huge come from behind win.

The Chargers won their 8th game in a row last week 20-9 over the Kansas City Chiefs.  The Seahawks have lost two games in a row, including having a 4th quarter meltdown in a 24-14 loss last week at home against the 49ers.

The Chargers will do what they always do when they have the football and that is running it.  LaDainian Tomlinson (1,626 yards rushing) will get the bulk of the carries but Michael Turner (415 yards rushing, 6.4 ypc) will probably get a few carries as the Chargers try to keep LT fresh for the playoffs.  The Seahawks have not played well against the run this season as they’ve allowed 125.1 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry so far this season.  Philip Rivers had his worst game as a Pro last week, but he should rebound against the Seahawks who have allowed 207.6 net yards passing per game this season.  Rivers will probably keep his passes short and throw alot to LT and Antonio Gates.

The Seahawks will come out running against the Chargers with Shaun Alexander.  He could have some success as the Chargers are allowing 4.1 yards per carry so far this season.  The Seahawks must be able to run or Matt Hasselbeck will get severely beaten up by the Chargers pass rush that has 54 sacks so far this season.  Hasselbeck tends to get jittery in the pocket after he’s taken a few hits and starts making bad throws.  If he has time to throw, he will be able to get the ball to Deion Branch and DJ Hackett.

The Chargers should be able to run the ball at will against the Seahawks.  They will also probably get to Hasselbeck and force him to make some mistakes, so I’m siding with the Chargers in this football game.