Patriots Get It Done Against the Chargers

It wasn't pretty. It wasn't a blowout. But in the end the New England Patriots got key contributions from some of their biggest question marks this season and defeated the San Diego Chargers to advance to the Super Bowl. Let's start with the Defense. All year the pundits said the Patriots were vulnerable on D and for much of the season they ranked near the bottom of the league in red zone defense. However yesterday the Pats D, led by an ageless Junior Seau, held the Chargers to just four field goals on the day, stopping them three times inside the 20-yard line. Yet again they held the oppositions running game in check which should finally put to rest any argument that the Pats can be run on. The last time they let someone rush for 100-yards was against the Steelers on December 9th. Yet again the Defense has stepped it up late in the season and is playing championship football. They are by no means the weak link on this team.

The most surprising aspect of yesterday's game was Tom Brady's lackluster performance. If you had told me he would throw three interceptions before the game I would've conceded there would be a strong chance the Chargers would pull off the upset. But the Patriots are a team that can play any kind of football. Brady's having an off day? Randy Moss only has one catch? Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk stepped up. Again, there were questions all year if the Pats were all pass, no run but the AFC Championship Game was another solid example that Maroney was well worth the first round pick New England spent on him and Kevin Faulk continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NFL. To be able to run the clock out after getting it with over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter is amazing and the kind of dominance you need in the playoffs. The Defense held the Offense up all day until the end when the Pats running backs iced the game without putting the Defense in the position to have to make another stop.

It was a fitting end to get the Patriots into the Super Bowl against the New York Giants, who pulled of a brilliant upset of the Green Bay Packers. The Pats proved that they are a complete team, capable of winning any kind of game. Need a lot of points? They can do that. Smash mouth football with tight defense? They can do that too. The Chargers played well and have plenty to build on. Their defense is young and gained some valuable experience this year. Philip Rivers won the respect of many with his gutsy performance playing with two bum knees and keeping his mouth shut for the entire game. Next years rematch in San Diego will undoubtedly be another war. I'm sure Charger fans are hoping Ladanian Tomlinson will be more than a spectator in that one.

The Patriots are now one win away from the perfect 19-0 season and will be going up against a team that they've already beaten. Should be a fun couple weeks of buildup.