Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8) - Saturday, NBC 8:00PM ET
It's almost as if the Colts and Chargers are division rivals.
Saturday marks the fourth time in the past two seasons the teams have met – with the first three games being decided by a total of nine points.
On November 11, 2007 in San Diego, Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 29-yard FG attempt with 1:31 to play in a 23-21 Chargers win.
The teams met last season in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game with the Chargers coming from behind to win 28-24. Billy Volek, subbing for the injured Philip Rivers, scored the game-winner on a quarterback sneak with 4:50 remaining to ice a 28-24 Chargers win in Indianapolis.
Earlier this season (November 23, 2008), Adam Vinatieri kicked 3 field goals, including a 51-yard game-winning field goal as time expired for the Colts 23-20 victory in San Diego.
"It's always a great game against these guys, and it'll be another great game," says Chargers QB Philip Rivers. "You can't ask for anything more in the playoffs."
The Indianapolis Colts, after starting the season 3-4, ran off nine straight victories to end the season as the NFL's hottest team.
It marked the sixth straight season the Colts have won at least 12 games. Peyton Manning finished with 4,000 yards for a record ninth straight season.
The Chargers also rode a winning streak to the postseason, coming from 4-8 to win their last four games and capture the AFC West title, including a 52-21 thrashing of the Denver Broncos in the season finale. For the San Diego Chargers, it is their third straight division title.
"These two teams ... , San Diego and the Colts, I could see them going to the Super Bowl." – NBC's Madden
The quarterbacks, of course, could be key Saturday night.
Colts QB Peyton Manning just extended his NFL record with his ninth 4,000-yard season. Rivers, the only QB this year with a 100.0 passer rating (105.5), tied New Orleans’ DREW BREES for the most TD passes (34), but goes against a unit that allowed only six scoring throws, the fewest ever in a 16-game season.
"Peyton Manning Should Be the MVP of the NFL." – NBC's John Madden
"Indy-San Diego to me has become one of the real classic matchups in the NFL. Indy is always sort of the favorite.
San Diego finds a way to make Peyton Manning look bad, except for this year they finally got over the hump with this
team and went on a last second field goal. I think we're going to see four great games but I especially like the two
that we have." -- NBC's Chris Collinsworth
Series: Chargers lead the series 15-10; Colts have won 4 of past 6
The overall series stands 15-10 in San Diego's favor, including a 23-
20 Colts victory in San Diego on November 23rd.
In that game, K-Adam Vinatieri booted field goals of 23, 38 and 51 yards, the final one
coming at the gun as Indianapolis prevailed.
The Colts survived a late 10-point Chargers rally that tied the
contest with 1:30 remaining. QB-Peyton Manning was 32-44-255, 2
TDs, while QB-Philip Rivers was 24-31-288, 2 TDs.
Manning brought the club back from a 10-3 second-quarter deficit, and the Colts led most
of the final half. WR Anthony Gonzalez snared a scoring reception, as did RB-Dominic Rhodes.
The Chargers out-rushed the Colts, 120-91. DE Robert Mathis had two sacks and a forced fumble.
The Chargers earned regular-season and post-season victories over the Colts in 2007.
In a contest last January 13 featuring six lead changes, San Diego scored the clinching
touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to produce a 28-24 Divisional Playoff victory
at Indianapolis. The Chargers were directed by QB Philip Rivers (14-19-264, 3 TDs/1 int.)
for the first three quarters and by QB Billy Volek for the final quarter. Volek's score proved to be the decisive tally.
On November 11, 2006, in San Diego, Indianapolis fell behind, 23-0, in the first half to
San Diego before nearly pulling off a dramatic comeback victory. The Colts tallied 14 fourth-quarter
points, but Vinatieri was wide right on a 29-yard field goal in the final two minutes as the Colts
fell, 23-21.
NFL 2008 Regular Season Common Opponents
In addition to facing each other this past November 23rd, the Colts and Chargers shared common opponents in the
New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts defeated both opponents, while the Chargers beat New England
but lost to Pittsburgh.
Colts & Chargers in 2008 Comparison
|
Chargers | Category | Colts | |
8-8 | Record | 12-4 | |
W-4 | Current W-L Streak | W-9 | |
439 | Total Points Scored | 377 | |
51 | Touchdowns Scored | 45 | |
13 | Rushing Touchdowns | 13 | |
34 | Passing Touchdowns | 27 | |
4 | Return Touchdowns | 5 | |
27/32 | Field Goals Made/Attempted | 20/25 | |
347 | Total Points Allowed | 298 | |
39 | Touchdowns Allowed | 28 | |
11 | Rushing Touchdowns Allowed | 18 | |
25 | Passing Touchdowns Allowed | 8 | |
3 | Return Touchdowns Allowed | 4 | |
24/31 | Opponent Field Goals Made/Attempted | 33/38 | |
349.0 | Total Yards Per Game | 335.5 | |
349.9 | Opponent Total Yards Per Game | 310.9 | |
107.9 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 79.6 | |
102.6 | Opponent Rushing Yards Per Game | 122.9 | |
241.1 | Passing Yards Per Game | 255.9 | |
247.4 | Opponent Passing Yards Per Game | 188.1 | |
89/194 (.459) | Third Downs Made/Attempted | 101/201 (.502) | |
84/207 (.406) | Opponent Third Downs Made/Attempted | 100/211 (.474) | |
8/11 (.727) | Fourth Downs Made/Attempted | 11/16 (.688) | |
13/24 (.542) | Opponent Fourth Downs Made/Attempted | 3/7 (.429) | |
+4 | Turnover Ratio | +9 | |
28:53 | Average Time of Possession | 28:39 | |
NFL 2008 Week 17: San Diego Chargers 52, Denver Broncos 21
In front of a team-record crowd of 69,131, the Chargers scored a season-high 52 points and cruised to a 52-21 win
over the Denver Broncos to secure their third-straight AFC West championship.
The Chargers rode a three-touchdown performance from LaDainian Tomlinson, who contributed to a team-record 289 yards
rushing against the Broncos. Darren Sproles spelled Tomlinson late in the game and racked up a team-high 115 yards and
scored two touchdowns, including one through the air.
Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to set a team single season record (34) and also became the second quarterback
in franchise history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
San Diego’s defense turned in its share of big plays as well, with safety Paul Oliver intercepting a Jay Cutler
pass in the end zone and Luis Castillo intercepting another one off a pass that was tipped by Shaun Phillips.
San Diego scored on six of its first seven possessions to lead 24-6 at the half and 34-13 after three quarters.
NFL 2008 Week 17: Indianapolis Colts 23, Tennessee Titans 0
The Colts defeated the resting Titans at home by the score of 23-0. There were no playoff implications
in the game.
Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
The Colts enter the playoffs with 9 consecutive wins In 2008, the Colts posted their 7th consecutive
season with 10+ wins & became 1st team in NFL history with 6 consecutive seasons with 12+ wins The Colts have earned 9 playoff appearances in past 10 seasons In regular season & postseason games,
Colts are 7-4 (.636) at San Diego TONY DUNGY is 1st head coach in NFL history to make 10 consecutive playoff
appearances Colts are 4-3 (.571) in Wild Card games Club has won 4 of past 5 postseason games In 1 career postseason game against Chargers, QB PEYTON MANNING completed 33 of 48 passes (68.8 pct.) for 402
yards with 3 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 97.7 passer rating. For career, Manning has 7-7 (.500) record in playoffs & has completed
323 of 522 passes (61.9 pct.) for 3,898 yards with 21 TDs & 17 INTs. In 5 Wild Card games, Manning has 11 TDs vs. 6 INTs.
Including postseason, Colts are 11-2 (.846) when RB JOSEPH ADDAI has 20+ carries. Addai has 283 total yards in 3 meetings
against SD (169 rush, 114 receiving). In past 4 postseason games with Colts, RB DOMINIC RHODES averages 4.9 yards per
carry (62 att., 306 yards) Incl. postseason, WR REGGIE WAYNE averages 80.4 receiving yards per game in 5
meetings vs. SD (402 total). Wayne has 7 TD receptions in 12 postseason games. WR MARVIN HARRISON has played in
franchise-record 15 postseason games. Harrison leads Colts with 62 postseason catches & 863 postseason receiving
yards TE DALLAS CLARK posted 6 rec. for 95 receiving yards (15.8 avg.) in divisional playoff game vs. SD.
Colts are 3-0 in playoffs when Clark has 100+ receiving yards DWIGHT FREENEY has 6 career postseason sacks S BOB SANDERS has 2 career postseason INTs DE ROBERT MATHIS tied career-high with 11.5 sacks in 2008.
Mathis was selected to 1st career Pro Bowl K ADAM VINATIERI is NFL postseason career leader with 172 points &
41 FGs.
San Diego Chargers (8-8)
The Chargers have made the postseason in 4 of past 5 seasons Chargers enter playoffs with 4 wins in
row Chargers aim for 2nd consecutive WC win at home (1/6/08 vs. Titans) Head coach NORV TURNER
guides team to playoffs for 2nd consecutive season. Turner is 3-2 (.500) in postseason as head coach Including
postseason, club has 21-5 record (.807) at home since 2006 In 2008, QB PHILIP RIVERS tied for NFL-high with
34 TD passes (DREW BREES) & surpassed DAN FOUTS (33 in 1981) for most TDs in franchise history. In past 4 wins, Rivers
has 11 TDs vs. 1 INT & 120.3 passer rating. In past 2 against Colts (incl. playoffs), Rivers has completed
38 of 50 passes for 552 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 INT & 136.4 passer rating. Team is 2-0 when Rivers has TD pass
in postseason play. For career (incl. playoffs), Rivers is 21-5 (.808) as starter at home & has 21 TDs vs. 5
INTs & 93.8 passer rating RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON averages 81.3 rush yards-per-game in postseason at
home (245 rush yards, 70 att.) with 3 TDs. Tomlinson has 90+ rush yards in past 2 with 3 rush TDs. RB DARREN
SPROLES totaled 244 yards last week (115 rush, 17 receiving, 16 PR, 96 KR) with 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.). In 4 career
games vs. Colts (incl. postseason), Sproles has 24.5 PR avg. with 1 PR-TD (2 PR, 49 yards) & 24.8 KR avg. with 1 KR-TD
(16 KR, 396 yards) Team is 9-0 when TE ANTONIO GATES has 2 or more TD receptions In 3 career
postseason games, WR CHRIS CHAMBERS averages 92.7 receiving yards per game. WR VINCENT JACKSON had career-high
1,098 receiving yards in 2008. In past 3 playoff games, Jackson is averaging 100 receiving yards per game
(18 rec., 300 yards) with 2 TDs Defense has 9 INTs in past 3 against Colts In 3 career
games vs. Colts (incl. playoffs), CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE has 4 INTs LB STEPHEN COOPER had 4 INTs in
past 4 in 2008 DE LUIS CASTILLO has 2 sacks in past 3 postseason games.
PREDICTION: San Diego Chargers 27, Indianapolis Colts 21
Even though their record are miles apart and the Colts are riding a 9-game winning streak, the Chargers
have finally turned into the Super Bowl capable team many expected and predicted before the 2008 season began.
There is no doubt that the Colts are the better team all things considered equal. However, all things are not
equal as the Chargers have home-field advantage plus a knack for defeating the Colts when it counts.
Three factors will lead the Chargers to victory -- An out-of-this-world Philip Rivers, a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson
and, yes, the Chargers defense.
In December, Philip Rivers completed 80 of 121 (.661) for 1,054 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating for the month, a lofty 120.3 was second in the NFL in December behind only Peyton Manning, who raked up a rating of 130.8.
For his effort, Philip Rivers was named December's AFC Player of the Month on offense. In Week 15 against Kansas City (12/14), Rivers was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after directing a Chargers’ fourth quarter-rally for a 22-21 win. In the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, Rivers completed 18 of 24 passes (75.0 percent) for 190 yards with two touchdowns and a 125.3 passer rating.
Tomlinson’s compiled 1,110 yards this season depsite a nagging toe injury at the beginning of the season.
With three touchdowns in the 2008 regular-season finale against Denver, Tomlinson is fully recovered and peak
condition. His reported should not impede his performance against the Colts.
In the event Tomlinson's groin injury is a factor, Darren Sproles should pick up the slack.
Last week against Denver in relief of Tomlinson, Sproles racked up his second-career 100-yard rushing game with
115 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on a 13-yard reception.
Sproles has had tremendous success against Indianapolis, including a 56-yard touchdown catch in the Divisional
Playoffs and a two-touchdown game during the 2007 regular-season, scoring on a 45-yard punt return and an 89-yard
kickoff return. Sproles totaled 2,297 all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns in 2008, including 330 yards and 1 TD
as a rusher, 342 yards 5 TDs as a receiver, 249 yards as a punt returner and 1,376 yards and 1 TD on kickoff returns.
The Chargers defense has been impressive since Ron Rivera was given control as defensive coordinator midway into the season.
The Chargers have become very stingy since then, especially in the second half. Only two of the Chargers last seven opponents
have scored more than seven points in the second half against their defense (Colts and Bucs). Under Rivera, the Chargers
are allowing just 18.1 points per game and 317.1 yards in the second half of the 2008 season, down from the 24.8 ppg and
371.6 ypg prior to his taking over.
For the Colts to win, the differentiating factor will need to be their defense.
They don't need to shut
Rivers down, they only need to contain him. Containing Rivers and keeping the Chargers offense off the
field will neutralize the home crowd and lead to a Colts' victory.
However, the Colts defense while above average against the pass has shown weakness against the run.
Their 18.6 points allowed per game is slightly inflated given their shutout of the Titans in the final week
of the season.
RELATED NFL 2008 Playoffs
|
On Wild Card Weekend Everybody Starts on Equal Ground
In one of the most unpredictable and story-filled NFL regular seasons in memory, the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and Super
Bowl XLIII on February 1 begins this Saturday and Sunday with the NFL 2008 Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. How each of
the NFL Playoff teams got here doesn't matter. Nor does it matter who got in first or who got in last. All that matters
is that they're here and ready to go.
Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The Arizona Cardinals, which scored a franchise record 424 points, boasts a high-flying attack led by QB
Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The Atlanta Falcons are
in the postseason for the first time since 2004. The Falcons are led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael
Turner. The Falcons ended the season winning five of their last six, and eight of their last 10.
Ravens Seek to Defeat Dolphins Again in Miami
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The game is a rematch of a regular season game between these teams this year, when Baltimore
registered a 27-13 win on October 19 at Dolphin Stadium. The Ravens head to Miami hoping to
return with the same result.
Eagles and Vikings on a Mission
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
After weak starts this season, both teams finished strong to propel themselves into the NFL 2008 playoffs.
They both started the season slowly. The Eagles were 2-3; the Vikings 1-3. But both finished the season with strong
winning streaks as the Eagles won 4 of their last 5, while the Vikings won 5 of their last 6.
SHARE
NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS RANKINGS
Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:
American Football Conference
1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)
3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens
National Football Conference
1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)
3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)
4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philadelphia Eagles
NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS WILD CARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 3
NFC: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals, 4:30 PM ET (NBC)
AFC: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers, 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
Sunday, January 4
AFC: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
NFL 2008 WEEK 17 RESULTS (Sunday, December 28)
(Home team in CAPS)
ATLANTA 31, St. Louis 27
PITTSBURGH 31, Cleveland 0
New England 13, BUFFALO 0
Oakland 31, TAMPA BAY 24
CINCINNATI 16, Kansas City 6
ARIZONA 34, Seattle 21
GREEN BAY 31, Detroit 21
BALTIMORE 27, Jacksonville 7
HOUSTON 31, Chicago 24
Miami 24, N.Y. JETS 17
INDIANAPOLIS 23, Tennessee 0
PHILADELPHIA 44, Dallas 6
MINNESOTA 20, N.Y. Giants 19
SAN FRANCISCO 27, Washington 24
Carolina 33, NEW ORLEANS 31
SAN DIEGO 52, Denver 21
NFL 2008 WEEK 16 RESULTS (DECEMBER 18, 20-22)
(Home team in CAPS)
Indianapolis 31, JACKSONVILLE 24 (Thursday)
Baltimore 33, DALLAS 24 (Saturday)
San Diego 41, TAMPA BAY 24
TENNESSEE 31, Pittsburgh 14
Buffalo 30, DENVER 23
OAKLAND 27, Houston 16
SEATTLE 13, N.Y. Jets 3
Atlanta 24, MINNESOTA 17
Cincinnati 14, CLEVELAND 0
WASHINGTON 10, Philadelphia 3
New Orleans 42, DETROIT 7
Miami 38, KANSAS CITY 31
NEW ENGLAND 47, Arizona 7
San Francisco 17, ST. LOUIS 16
N.Y. GIANTS 34, Carolina 28 (OT)
CHICAGO 20, Green Bay 17 (OT) (Monday)
NFL 2008 WEEK 15 RESULTS – DECEMBER 11, 14-15
(Home Team in Caps)
CHICAGO BEARS 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
N.Y. JETS 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Seattle Seahawks 23, ST. LOUIS RAMS 20
Minnesota Vikings 35, ARIZONA CARDINALS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS 20, Washington Redskins 13
CAROLINA PANTHERS 30, Denver Broncos 10
HOUSTON TEXANS 13, Tennessee Titans 12
New England Patriots 49, OAKLAND RAIDERS 26
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 31, Detroit Lions 21
DALLAS COWBOYS 20, N.Y. Giants 8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 20, Green Bay Packers 16
San Diego Chargers 22, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 21
MIAMI DOLPHINS 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30, Cleveland Browns 10
NFL 2008 WEEK 14 RESULTS - DECEMBER 4, 7 - 8
(Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO 34, Oakland 7
Miami 16, BUFFALO 3 (Toronto)
DENVER 24, Kansas City 17
SAN FRANCISCO 24, N.Y. Jets 14
CHICAGO 23, Jacksonville 10
New England 24, SEATTLE 21
Minnesota 20, DETROIT 16
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 10
Houston 24, GREEN BAY 21
PITTSBURGH 20, Dallas 13
INDIANAPOLIS 35, Cincinnati 3
BALTIMORE 24, Washington 10
NEW ORLEANS 29, Atlanta 25
Philadelphia 20, N.Y. GIANTS 14
TENNESSEE 28, Cleveland 9
CAROLINA 38, Tampa Bay 23
|
|
RSS
