#3 San Diego Chargers @ #1 New England Patriots

Sunday, Jan. 20 @ 3:00 p.m.

Lookin’ Good: Patriots offense

QB Tom Brady was nearly perfect Saturday, completing 26-of-28 passes for a whopping 92.9 completion percentage – an NFL playoffs and regular season record. Brady – who had 262 yards and 3 TDs – spread the ball around effectively, hitting eight receivers, while RB Laurence Maroney collected 122 yards rushing on the day.

Seen Better Days: Chargers’ starting line up

The good news is that TE Antonio Gates (toe injury) returned to the line up Sunday. The bad news is that RB LaDainian Tomlinson and QB Philip Rivers left Sunday’s game with knee injuries. However, a win over the Colts and a chance to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game doesn’t hurt the Bolts’ confidence one bit.  

Edge: Patriots

By no means is defeating the #2 Colts an easy feat, but the Chargers are a different team without their top offensive guns – Rivers and L.T. We give the edge to the Patriots who have so many weapons on both sides of the ball it’s scary. With the Jags rendering Randy Moss largely ineffective Saturday, the Patriots made the plays needed to win just as they have done in each of their 17 victories this season.