NFL PREVIEW Chargers vs. Patriots

January 20, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

SAN DIEGO (13-5) at NEW ENGLAND (17-0)

Game time: 3 p.m.

TV: (27) (19) (2)
Opening line: Patriots by 15. Record vs. spread: Chargers 12-5-1; Patriots 10-7.

Series history: Patriots lead series 19-14-2. (Last meeting: Patriots 38, Chargers 14, Sept. 16, 2007 at New England.)

Playoff record: Chargers 9-13; Patriots 20-12.

Chargers offense: OVERALL (20), RUSH (7), PASS (26)

Chargers defense: OVERALL (14), RUSH (16), PASS (14)

Patriots offense: OVERALL (1), RUSH (13), PASS (1)

Patriots defense: OVERALL (4), RUSH (10), PASS (6)

Notebook: Patriots have won 12 of 14 in series, including 38-14 win in Week 2 and 24-21 win at San Diego in divisional playoff game last season. ... Early forecasts have game-time temperature in the low 20s, with winds of 20-plus mph. ... Patriots (17) and Chargers (13) have combined for second-most wins in AFC championship game history (Pittsburgh and New England, 31 in 2004). ... Home teams have .662 winning percentage (49-25) in conference championship since 1970. ... San Diego’s eight-game winning streak is second only to New England (17). Chargers have allowed 13.1 points per game during streak. ... San Diego has never won three straight in playoffs and was just 4-4 on road during regular season. ... Coach Norv Turner is 3-1 in playoffs. ... QB Philip Rivers (sprained MCL) is questionable. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis before leaving after final play of third quarter. He threw 13 of 21 TDs on road in regular season. QB Billy Volek, who led go-ahead drive last week, would start if Rivers is ruled out. ... RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who left with knee injury in second quarter last week, is expected to play. Tomlinson (315 carries, 1,474 yards) led NFL in rushing for second straight season and in divisional playoff last season vs. Patriots he had career postseason-best 123 yards rushing with two TDs. It was second-highest playoff rushing total vs. New England in franchise history. ... San Diego averaged 155.3 yards on the ground in past four against Pats, including 52 in Week 2 loss. ... WR Chris Chambers (66 receptions, 970 yards) is averaging 20.9 yards receiving per catch (nine receptions, 188 yards) in playoffs. He had 30-yard TD reception last week. ... San Diego forced NFL-best 48 turnovers (30 INTs, 18 fumble recoveries) during regular season. Chargers are 12-1, including 2-0 in postseason, when recording an even or positive turnover differential. ... LB Shawne Merriman has three sacks in three career meetings with Pats. ... Patriots (47) and Chargers (42) were ranked one and two in AFC in sacks. ... CB Antonio Cromartie, who led NFL with 10 INTs and 28 pass defenses in regular season, had INT last week. ... At 10-1, Patriots have best home record in playoff history (minimum three games). ... New England tries to make fourth Super Bowl in past seven years. ... New England can become 12th team in NFL history with 10-0 home record. ... Coach Bill Belichick has second-best postseason winning percentage (.824, 14-3), behind Vince Lombardi (.900, 9-1). ... WR Randy Moss had temporary restraining order filed against him this week, after woman claimed he committed battery against her. Moss said allegations are false and woman made claim to get money from him. Moss, who broke NFL record with 23 TD receptions, had one catch for 14 yards last week, but 105 yards and two TDs in Week 2. ... QB Tom Brady, who won MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, has never lost at home in postseason (7-0), throwing for 1,569 yards with 11 TDs and 93.0 passer rating. Brady completed 26 of 28 passes last week to set highest completion (92.9) percentage in postseason history and set another record when he started game 16-of-16. Last week, he threw three TDs and tied Dan Marino for second place on all-time postseason list with TD pass in 13 consecutive games. ... RB Laurence Maroney (185 carries, 835 yards) has scored in four straight, with five TDs and 428 yards rushing in that span. His 122 yards rushing last week were third-highest total in New England playoff history. ... WR Wes Welker (112 receptions, 1,175 yards) had nine catches last week and has 20 in last two games. ... TE Benjamin Watson had two TD receptions against Jacksonville. ... S Rodney Harrison has INT in four straight postseason games, tying Aeneas Williams for longest streak in playoff history. ... Patriots have scored at least 20 points in 23 straight games. ... Pats held Jacksonville, which averaged 149.4 yards on the ground per game, to 80 yards rushing last week.