Predicted Score: Patriots 31, Chargers 20

San Diego: What a remarkable victory for the Chargers last week. Without LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers for much of the second half, and Antonio Gates being used mainly as a decoy, San Diego overcame the officiating and the Colts for the right to face the undefeated Patriots in the AFC Championship game; a tough task considering their three best offensive players are banged up and will have limited practice time this week. According to head coach Norv Turner; Gates didn't suffer any setbacks and Tomlinson will play with a bruised knee but Rivers and his strained right knee will be the major concern; expect all three to play. With injuries mounting the Chargers will need to rely on their defense and continue to take the ball away. San Diego forced 48 turnovers this season and led the league with 30 INTs, and a +24 turnover ratio. It will be interesting to see if San Diego follows the path of other defenses and decides to take Randy Moss out of the game with double coverage or perhaps they let Antonio Cromartie follow Moss all over the field and roll double coverage to Wes Welker… very hard to do since committing a safety to Welker - who generally works the middle of the field - leaves you exposed to the deep ball by the two outside receivers (Moss & Stallworth). Whatever their plan, defense and special teams will go a long way in deciding San Diego's fate this week. The majority of the general public isn't giving the Chargers a chance in this game and I'm following the crowd. Of course, "we" didn't give them a chance against the Colts either.

• Start: WR Vincent Jackson, WR Chris Chambers
• Consider: RB LaDainian Tomlinson (inj), QB Philip Rivers (inj)
• Sit: TE Antonio Gates, WR Craig Davis, Chargers D/ST

New England: The Patriots showed last week why they are the best team in the league. Tom Brady completed 26-of-28 passes including three touchdowns and took advantage of a formidable Jags defense that committed to stopping Randy Moss and deep ball but didn't have enough bodies to account for Wes Welker and New England's running game with Laurence Maroney. The Patriots can win in so many ways its no wonder they didn't go undefeated during the regular season… ohh, that's right, they did. They've also beaten the Chargers 11 of the last 13 meetings. This will be New England's 5th conference championship game in the past 7 seasons and I just can't imagine them losing this game to a San Diego team bitten by injuries, considering all the experience, talent, and coaching ability the Patriots have assembled in 2007. 18-0, here we come.

• Start: QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss, WR Wes Welker
• Consider: WR Donte Stallworth, RB Laurence Maroney
• Sit: TE Ben Watson, Patriots D/ST