Mike Freeman and Clark Judge offer their last-minute wisdom.
| 1. What are your final thoughts on the Chargers-Patriots? | |
| Mike Freeman | Clark Judge |
 Let me get this straight. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has a bum knee. The best tight end in football, Antonio Gates, is suffering from a dislocated big toe. LaDainian Tomlinson is healthier but he suffered a sprained knee just a short time ago. Three of the biggest stars on the star-studded Chargers are hurting. And this is the team that's going to beat New England? Sure. OK. Gotcha, dude. All signs point to total obliteration of the Chargers. This game could get Ronaldinho ugly. If the Chargers were healthy, they'd have a much better chance. But their injuries -- and the way the Patriots uncannily get their jocks in a bunch over slights both perceived and real -- make this an easy Patriots victory. There is just one caveat: the wind. It's expected to be cold and windy, and that could slow down New England's virile passing game. A bit. If a team is holding onto to the wind factor as its best chance, you know it is in trouble. One more thing: I'm thisclose to my August prediction of a New York-Patriots Super Bowl. Man, I'm so much smarter than Prisco. |  The more I hear about the San Diego Chargers entering Sunday's AFC championship game the less I think of their chances to win. Let's face it, if they were healthy they'd have a tough time winning here. But with their three top offensive playmakers hurt, I don't see how they make this a game, let alone pull out a victory. If their special teams and defense force turnovers, make big stops and score ... maybe. But they're playing an opponent that hasn't lost a playoff game at home with Tom Brady at quarterback; an opponent that drilled them earlier this season; and an opponent that outlasted them a year ago when all three playmakers were healthy, the Chargers were home and Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth weren't wearing the red, white and blue of New England. he cold won't decide this game. The wind won't, either. Brady will. To beat the Patriots you must be able to trade touchdowns with them and hope for a break down the stretch. My question: Where do the Chargers find touchdowns? |
