Just Good Enough, Patriots Head To Bowl Beat Chargers 21-12

Posted by Jeff Sack under New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers

This game will certainly not go down as a classic, instant or otherwise. In what was definitely his weakest game by far Tom Brady led the New England Patriots past the San Diego Chargers Sunday 21-12, to remain unbeaten at 18-0, and more importantly to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Brady who threw 2 touchdowns, but 3 interceptions, was fortunate to face a badly banged up Phillip Rivers who was a shadow of himself throwing 2 picks, and no touchdowns. The win propels New England to their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last seven years. They will take on the New York Giants, who defeated the Green Bay Packers Sunday in an overtime game 23-20. The Patriots defeated the Giants in the last game of the regular season 38-35.

The two teams were scoreless until the Chargers finally scored with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter, as Nate Keading kicked a 26 yard field goal to put San Diego ahead 3-0. The Pats would break through in the second quarter, as running back Laurence Maroney dove into the endzone for a one yard touchdown run. After Steve Gostkowski’s point after New England led 7-3. Keading would kick a 23 yard field goal at the 9:14 mark of the second to bring the Chargers within one point at 7-6. Brady connected with receiver Jabar Gaffney for a 12 yard touchdown pass with 3:51 left in the half, Gostkowski’s point after made it 14-6 Patriots. Keading connected one more time with 8 seconds left in the half this time for 40 yards, to cut the lead to just five points at 14-9. He would cut the lead to just 2 points, with 8:36 left in the third quarter as he kicked his fourth field goal of the afternoon this time for 24 yards as New England had a slim 14-12 lead. But Brady connected with Wes Welker at the 12:15 mark of the fourth on a 6 yard touchdown pass, after the point after by Gostkowski it was Patriots 21 San Diego 12. New England would hold on for the win.

The Patriots again had fortune on their side as running back LaDanian Tomlinson carried the ball for San Diego the first two plays of the game but then left the game with a balky knee. Rivers was 19/37 for 211 yards, with two picks, and no touchdowns, as he also has a severely injured knee. Brady would throw 22/33 for 209 yards, 2 touchdowns but 3 interceptions. For the second week in a row Randy Moss was ineffective as he caught just one pass for 18 yards.

This is not the way that New England wanted to enter the Super Bowl, their saving grace is they have the two weeks between the Championship game and the Bowl. New England has kind of limped through the Post Season so far, they can not afford to do that on February 3. The Giants are playing loose right now, they were never supposed to get this far. New England has been playing with the weight of expectations throughout the playoffs, we will find out next month whether that weight is too heavy.

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