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Not what you wanted? NFL's final four fight on
Now we know how the 1985 Bears felt.
They wanted revenge on the Dolphins for ending their perfect season and the stars appeared perfectly aligned when the underdog Patriots [team stats] headed south for the AFC title game.
But despite a 16-game Orange Bowl jinx, the Pats squished the Fish and took their plucky brand of overachievement to Super Bowl XX - where they were promptly humiliated.
They had no chance in hell.
Just like the San Diego Chargers this weekend.
The Chargers screwed up The Game of the Century yesterday by going into Indianapolis and rallying to win, ruining the rematch everyone from commissioner Roger Goodell on down wanted to see: Pats-Colts for the right to win Super Bowl XLII.
Instead, the Patriots get the Chargers, a team they've already throttled this season, and one that might have to play without the NFL's leading rusher, their starting quarterback and the best tight end in football.
Start booking those Super Bowl packages while airfare is less than $2,000, because the
New England Patriots are going to Arizona.
The prevailing wisdom since November has been that only the Indianapolis Colts, could give the Patriots a game. Now that they're gone, there's no one standing between the Pats and their fourth Super Bowl title in seven years.
The Chargers do not match up well with the Patriots at any of the key positions, starting with quarterback. Philip Rivers threw two interceptions in their Sept. 16 meeting. Before that, he completed just 14-of-32 passes with no touchdowns and a pick in last year's playoff game vs. the Pats.
His status is uncertain after he hurt his knee yesterday. If he can't go, the task of beating the unbeaten Pats will fall on journeyman backup Billy Volek.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson usually kills the Pats, though he was held to 43 yards on 18 carries in the first meeting this year. He tweaked his knee yesterday and if he can't go, at least the Chargers field the NFL's best backup in Michael Turner.
"They have outstanding depth," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. "That's why they're in the AFC Championship Game."
Then there's Antonio Gates. The tight end dislocated his toe against the Titans in the wild card round and while he played yesterday, he was nowhere near 100 percent, catching just two passes.
"We'll prepare for everybody," Belichick said. "Any number of players could be in the game, so if they're on the 53-man roster, we'll prepare for all of them."
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Patriots unveil a defensive game plan similar to the one they used against the Jaguars in Saturday's 31-20 victory.
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Not what you wanted?
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