I put the blame for this loss almost all on Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding who missed three chip shot field goals in this game.  But, I do have to dig on Norv Turner who once again choked in the playoffs despite having a much better team than the Jets.  Philip Rivers was a little off yesterday but he still managed to complete 27 of 40 passes for 298 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards (1.3 ypc) with a TD run.  Darren Sproles should have been used more in this game as he carried the ball 3 times for 33 yards (11.0 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 30 yards (10.0 avg).  Yesterday was probably LaDainian Tomlinson’s swan song for the Chargers and it’s a shame he didn’t show up.  He carried the ball only 12 times for 24 yards (2.0 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 0 yards.  Vincent Jackson led the way in the passing game for the Chargers yesterday with 7 grabs for 111 yards (15.9 avg).  Antonio Gates also had a solid game with 8 catches for 93 yards (11.6 avg) yesterday.  TE Kris Wilson only caught 1 pass for the Chargers yesterday but it went for a 13-yard TD.  The Chargers finished up with 344 total yards on offense in this game (61 rushing, 283 passing).

The Chargers’ D did not play too bad in this game until the end when the Jets’ running game resulted in some big plays.  Linebacker Stephen Cooper led the way for the Chargers yesterday with 9 tackles (1 tackle for a loss).  Safety Eric Weddle also had a solid game with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit.  CB Quentin Jammer pitched in with 5 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 passed defensed and 1 interception.  The Jets finished up with 262 total yards in this game (169 rushing, 93 passing).  The Chargers season ends with the resounding thud once again.

The Jets are coming in on a hot streak but they have not played a team the caliber of the Chargers in quite some time.  The Chargers will likely come out of the locker-room throwing the ball with Philip Rivers attacking the Jets’ DBs with his very physical and tall WR and TE group.  Sure, CB Darrelle Revis will likely shut down one of the WRs (likely Vincent Jackson) on Sunday but he can’t cover everyone.  Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee could all have huge games on Sunday especially if the Jets can’t get much pressure on Philip Rivers.  The Chargers would love to get a early lead in this game to force the Jets out of their running game offensively, forcing Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air.  LaDainian Tomlinson could have a hard time getting a lot of yards against the Jets’ front seven so they may turn to Darren Sproles who has the speed to get the corner against the Jets.

The keys to the defense will be trying to slow down the Jets’ running  game and to stop TE Dustin Keller who had a good game for them last weekend.  The Chargers need NT Ian Scott and LBs Kevin Burnett and Stephen Cooper to control the middle of the field.  Because if the Jets are gashing the Chargers up the middle with Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones in the running game the Chargers could be in some trouble.  Safeties Eric Weddle and Kevin Ellison will be on the spot to deal with Dustin Keller of the Jets.  If the Chargers can force the Jets to throw the ball they will be in great shape.

PREDICTION:  CHARGERS 27, JETS 20

The Chargers put up a good fight yesterday despite not having LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates for most of the game.  Philip Rivers couldn’t get much mustard on his passes because he couldn’t push off his bad knee.  Rivers completed 19 of 37 passes for 211 yards with 2 interceptions.  LaDainian Tomlinson only carried the ball 2 times for 5 yards (2.5 ypc) before he had to leave the game due to injury.  Michael Turner filled in for L.T. and he carried the ball 17 times for 65 yards (3.8 ypc).  Darren Sproles was electric when he touched the football as he carried it 3 times for 34 yards (11.3 ypc).  Vincent Jackson (6 rec, 93 yards) and Chris Chambers (7 rec, 90 yards) both had solid games for the Patriots yesterday.  The Chargers finished up with 104 yards rushing on 22 carries (4.7 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 37 passes for 207 yards.

The pass defense of the Chargers was exceptional yesterday as they held Randy Moss to 1 catch for 18 yards and they intercepted Tom Brady 3 times.  But, poor tackling against the run killed them in this football game.  CB Antonio Cromartie led the way for the Chargers Defense with 9 tackles and a interception.  Igor Olshansky backed up his talk early in the week with 7 tackles and 1/2 a sack.  The Patriots finished up with 149 yards rushing on 31 carries (4.8 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 33 passes for 198 yards.

The Patriots continue their march to an unbeaten record, but the Chargers will be a formidable foe.  After all they did knock out the defending World Champs on their own field last weekend. 

The Chargers come into this game banged up on offense.  It looks as if Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will all attempt to give it a go.  Rivers has been outstanding in the post season and he always plays with a chip on his shoulder.  Rivers though will be playing with a partially torn ACL so the front line better block well.  Look for the Patriots to blitz more than usual to try to rattle Rivers or knock him out of the game.  But, the Chargers could just decide to feed the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner to try to control the clock and keep the ball away from the Patriots offense.

Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky could wind up being the new Anthony Smith (Steelers safety) as he was talking trash earlier in the week.  Look for the Patriots to run a few plays his way to try to make him look bad.  It will be fun to watch the Antonio Cromartie vs. Randy Moss matchup as Tom Brady will have to be careful there.  Still, the Patriots could use Moss as a decoy again this week and spread the football around.  The Patriots will also likely run the ball more than usual if they get a lead in this game.

PREDICTION:  NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 31, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 21

The Chargers pulled a shocker last Sunday and they did it with some of their backup players.  Philip Rivers was outstanding before he left the game with a knee injury.  Rivers completed 14 of 19 passes for 264 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 interception.  Billy Volek finished up the game completing 3 of 4 passes for 48 yards.  He also carried the ball 3 times for a loss of 1 yard….but he scored the eventual game-winning TD with a goal line plunge.  LaDainian Tomlinson only carried the ball 7 times for 28 yards (4.0 ypc) before leaving the game with a injury.  Michael Turner replaced L.T. in the game and he played well.  Turner rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries (4.2 ypc).  Darren Sproles only carried the ball 1 time for 1 yard but he also caught 1 pass for 56 yards and it was for a TD.  Vincent Jackson (7 rec, 93 yards, TD) and Chris Chambers (3 rec, 67 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game with outstanding efforts.  The Chargers finished up with 99 yards rushing on 30 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 23 passes for 312 yards.

The Chargers defense was led by Stephen Cooper (16 tackles), Antonio Cromartie (6 tackles, interception) and Eric Weddle (5 tackles, interception).  The Colts finished up with 44 yards rushing on 18 carries (2.4 ypc) and they also completed 33 of 48 passes for 402 yards.