[Knucklehead]

This is the thread where all you experts count the Chargers out again. I think you know my vote!

[thepostman]

It will probably be closer then most will think...but in the end I just can't see the Patriots losing...but I hope I am dead wrong

[El Scorcho]

I'm taking the Patriots, but not because I'm a Chargers hater. They just don't look like they're having to try as hard to win as everyone else is right now. Maybe it's because they're healthy, or maybe it's because they're good. I'd like to think the odds will catch up to them and end their streak soon, but I don't think it's going to happen.

[Knucklehead]

No, no hater calling this week. But coming into todays game the Chargers had won 3 straight against the Colts (2 at the RCA DOME) and I knew we played a style of Defense that has given Peyton fits. This week will be much tougher and I can see why most might pick the currently perfect Pats.

[flamesbball84]

i'm a Pats fan, but even if I weren't I would be hard pressed to pick agianst a team that has gone 17-0 and has proven they can run the ball (Maroney has been the second most dominant RB in the playoffs next to Ryan Grant), pass the ball, and is pretty good in special teams and has also proven they can win in blowouts, close games, and nailbiters required last minute heroics.

[Knucklehead]

Look, I agree that it will be an uphill battle, but I think we can win and you would have to be stupid to count the Chargers out.

[RagingTireFire]

They're out.

[RagingTireFire]

They're out.

[Knucklehead]

They're out.

Not yet. Did you have to say it TWICE?

[flamesbball84]

after seeing some of the sportscenter highlights of Rivers mouthy actions just now, I'm going to pick against the Chargers for the rest of my life. That guy is turning into one of the biggest jacka$$es in the NFL. What's this guy won in the NFL? Two playoff games and he couldn't even guide his team to the the comeback win, backup Bolly Volek had to do that for him, so more like 1.5 playoff games! SD could be playing the NY Knicks in a football game and I'd still pick the NY Knicks.

[flamesbball84]

Pic looks like crap, but you get the point here. SD better hope Rivers doesn't suck like he did in the last game he played that was under 40 degrees. In that game he was 10-21 with 157 yards one td, one int, and three sacks. That may be good enough against Kansas City (they won that game 24-10), but KC was one of the four worst teams in the NFL this year and that's not going to be good enough against the Pats.

[jcmanson]

I have to pick the Pats, but will be pulling for the Chargers.

[kevinrmcguire]

The Chargers played a heck of a game yesterday in Indy and hats off to them for a very hard fought, and well earned victory. To play the 4th quarter without your starting QB and RB and still pull out a victory is amazing. I am rooting for the Chargers but again, I think everything the Patriots do seems so effortless and I don't see them losing to anyone. But I do expect a good game. Hopefully LT is ready to go, and the same with Rivers.

EDIT: Because come to think of it, if the Giants somehow beat the Packers, I'd love for Rivers to have a field day against the Giants in the Super Bowl.

[thepostman]

what did Phillip Rivers do that was so cocky?? I didn't watch sportscenter yesterday, so I am just kind of curious

[RubberMallet]

apparently its not ok to talk with the fans, and laugh and goof around on the sidelines...

[Knucklehead]

after seeing some of the sportscenter highlights of Rivers mouthy actions just now, I'm going to pick against the Chargers for the rest of my life. That guy is turning into one of the biggest jacka$$es in the NFL. What's this guy won in the NFL? Two playoff games and he couldn't even guide his team to the the comeback win, backup Bolly Volek had to do that for him, so more like 1.5 playoff games! SD could be playing the NY Knicks in a football game and I'd still pick the NY Knicks.

What a stupid comment. Look the guy was totally on fire the first half. He looked great. What has he won? Dude he's 25-7 as a starter in the regular season and now 2-1 in the post season. I'll take that any day. He couldn't even lead the team back? Billy had to? The dude was hurt dork. How do you hold that against him? And the Nicks use a round ball Moron!
See what I mean about silly Pats fans!

[Knucklehead]

apparently its not ok to talk with the fans, and laugh and goof around on the sidelines...

I thought it was funny. He gets into it. Means he cares!

[Rocketfan]

I think the funny thing with Rivers was on his way to the locker room he was yelling at the fans " ill be back, ill be back" and then he didn't re-enter the game. I can't understand why if a guy can walk he doesn't come back into a playoff game. That goes for LT, Harrison, Rivers etc....if Gates can man up and play, why can't these guys?

[Knucklehead]

I think the funny thing with Rivers was on his way to the locker room he was yelling at the fans " ill be back, ill be back" and then he didn't re-enter the game. I can't understand why if a guy can walk he doesn't come back into a playoff game. That goes for LT, Harrison, Rivers etc....if Gates can man up and play, why can't these guys?

Coach's decision

[RubberMallet]

I think the funny thing with Rivers was on his way to the locker room he was yelling at the fans " ill be back, ill be back" and then he didn't re-enter the game. I can't understand why if a guy can walk he doesn't come back into a playoff game. That goes for LT, Harrison, Rivers etc....if Gates can man up and play, why can't these guys?

thats probably why you aren't a trainer..."if a guy can walk he should play"...wat?

volek, sproles, turner were all doing exceptionally well...there was really no need for rivers or lt to come in. this isn't hs football...a player can't go "i'm good" and trot back onto the field.

tomlinson got on the bike and when he came off it stiffened up. hurt to walk.

rivers was cleared to come back in but it was on the drive that volek was on fire so they didn't bother.

if LT could have played, he'd would have. You don't get to the nfl without a lot of guts, and want-to, and pain tolerance

there are times when you come in injured and actually hurt the team. when they have capable backups there is no need to risk additional injury. gates played because name me the other TE they have?....you can't....manunamandagdhafkula? garbage...a dislocated toe? its possible to play....but a hobbled gates is better than the other options. gates was still drawing double teams even with a lost step...

[Rocketfan]

I think the funny thing with Rivers was on his way to the locker room he was yelling at the fans " ill be back, ill be back" and then he didn't re-enter the game. I can't understand why if a guy can walk he doesn't come back into a playoff game. That goes for LT, Harrison, Rivers etc....if Gates can man up and play, why can't these guys?

thats probably why you aren't a trainer..."if a guy can walk he should play"...wat?

volek, sproles, turner were all doing exceptionally well...there was really no need for rivers or lt to come in. this isn't hs football...a player can't go "i'm good" and trot back onto the field.

tomlinson got on the bike and when he came off it stiffened up. hurt to walk.

rivers was cleared to come back in but it was on the drive that volek was on fire so they didn't bother.

if LT could have played, he'd would have. You don't get to the nfl without a lot of guts, and want-to, and pain tolerance

there are times when you come in injured and actually hurt the team. when they have capable backups there is no need to risk additional injury. gates played because name me the other TE they have?....you can't....manunamandagdhafkula? garbage...a dislocated toe? its possible to play....but a hobbled gates is better than the other options. gates was still drawing double teams even with a lost step...

Your crazy Mallet but what else is new.....IF LT just had a bruised knee, and was a little stiff thats a joke. Sporles only had one carry for one yard, so your right that is exceptional. Turner is good don't get me wrong, but he only avg 4.2 yards a carry, thats not mind blowing either.

Volek played well for 1 drive, and thats fine but i didn't expect Rivers to then sit the rest of the game especially if he was cleared to play. Plus your " a player can't say im good and walk back on the field" thats not true because it certain situations thats possible....Bill Romanoski had tons of undocumented concussions and said im good walked back on the field.

" IF LT could have played he could have" - so basically it hurt to walk but not stand for a solid hour and smile with your teammates.......im not buying it. I think he could have played, it may not have even been his decision, maybe it was the coaches but if your knee hurts the bad your not standing on it for no good reason.

Also even the annoucers said that the D-fense was forgetting about Gates at certain times, he wasn't drawing double teams on any play i saw.

[kel varson]

Not sure if the weather will be a factor but it will probably be in the teens during this game. Maybe a bigger factor in Green Bay, where temperatures will probably be 0-5 degrees.

[Knucklehead]

Did you miss Sproles 56 yard screen pass touchdown?
Look I wanted to see them both come back too, but it came down to getting it done with the back-ups and avoiding further injury. LT only had 4.1 YPC up to that point so Michael wasn't far off. Volek did what he had to get the job done. Phillip would have come back in if it became necessary and it didn't. This team is built on depth and it's obvious. When Castillo went out with the ribs, Jyles Tucker and Jacques Cesaire platooned an were huge. Say what you want about Manumuliama (SP) but he gets it done to. No he doesn't draw Gates type double teams, but they don't ignore him either.

We won so what does it matter what you think anyway?!?!?!

[Rocketfan]

Did you miss Sproles 56 yard screen pass touchdown?
Look I wanted to see them both come back too, but it came down to getting it done with the back-ups and avoiding further injury. LT only had 4.1 YPC up to that point so Michael wasn't far off. Volek did what he had to get the job done. Phillip would have come back in if it became necessary and it didn't. This team is built on depth and it's obvious. When Castillo went out with the ribs, Jyles Tucker and Jacques Cesaire platooned an were huge. Say what you want about Manumuliama (SP) but he gets it done to. No he doesn't draw Gates type double teams, but they don't ignore him either.

We won so what does it matter what you think anyway?!?!?!

i was simply talking about running, Sporles did have a nice TD catch i agree.

LT only had a few carries and Turner had 17 i think. i think LT had like 10 less than that or something.

Yes and i did know who the backup TE was, even though Mallet probably won't believe it, but a guy who is 280 with decent hands is someone you tend to notice when he plays.

If you don't care what i thought you didn't have to try to defend mallet or respond at all.......so it appears you care haha.

[RubberMallet]

I think the funny thing with Rivers was on his way to the locker room he was yelling at the fans " ill be back, ill be back" and then he didn't re-enter the game. I can't understand why if a guy can walk he doesn't come back into a playoff game. That goes for LT, Harrison, Rivers etc....if Gates can man up and play, why can't these guys?

thats probably why you aren't a trainer..."if a guy can walk he should play"...wat?

volek, sproles, turner were all doing exceptionally well...there was really no need for rivers or lt to come in. this isn't hs football...a player can't go "i'm good" and trot back onto the field.

tomlinson got on the bike and when he came off it stiffened up. hurt to walk.

rivers was cleared to come back in but it was on the drive that volek was on fire so they didn't bother.

if LT could have played, he'd would have. You don't get to the nfl without a lot of guts, and want-to, and pain tolerance

there are times when you come in injured and actually hurt the team. when they have capable backups there is no need to risk additional injury. gates played because name me the other TE they have?....you can't....manunamandagdhafkula? garbage...a dislocated toe? its possible to play....but a hobbled gates is better than the other options. gates was still drawing double teams even with a lost step...

Your crazy Mallet but what else is new.....IF LT just had a bruised knee, and was a little stiff thats a joke. Sporles only had one carry for one yard, so your right that is exceptional. Turner is good don't get me wrong, but he only avg 4.2 yards a carry, thats not mind blowing either.

Volek played well for 1 drive, and thats fine but i didn't expect Rivers to then sit the rest of the game especially if he was cleared to play. Plus your " a player can't say im good and walk back on the field" thats not true because it certain situations thats possible....Bill Romanoski had tons of undocumented concussions and said im good walked back on the field.

" IF LT could have played he could have" - so basically it hurt to walk but not stand for a solid hour and smile with your teammates.......im not buying it. I think he could have played, it may not have even been his decision, maybe it was the coaches but if your knee hurts the bad your not standing on it for no good reason.

Also even the annoucers said that the D-fense was forgetting about Gates at certain times, he wasn't drawing double teams on any play i saw.

wow you must not have watched much of the game then...turner avged 4.2 yds agaisnt one of the leagues best rushing defense....but yeah thats not good at all....they should of thrown lt right back in....did you happen to see sproles catch that pass....did you happen to see what he did to the colts defense?...in the end he touched the ball twice...for 57 yds and td..

bill romanowski? you just used that retard as an example?..heaven save us....the "i can go coach" "alright get out there" is great for the movies but rarely happens in real life....especially when you have a lead and the offense is clicking without you. in this day and age of 10 million dollar a year contracts, it doens't happen with franchise players much. romanowski never made more than 4 million.

of course its the coaches/trainers decisions. we are talkign about probably one fo the greatest runningbacks who has ever lived... if you think lt just said, nah i'm good then you are the one who's crazy.

yeah way to bring up the announcers....watching that game i've never heard such retarded broadcasting in a long time....dan dierdorf is such a moron....

gates was getting free safty over the top help all 1st half. until they realized he was slowed enough to be singled up. jackson and chambers were wide open plenty of times or got free from single coverage most of the 1st half. then still int eh 2nd half they'd single the wr's up.