Chargers pay high price for right to play Patriots

By Chris Cluff  |   Sunday, January 13, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers managed to upset the Indianapolis Colts and advance to the AFC title game against New England, but the win came with a potentially high price.

The Chargers beat the Colts despite playing the second half without star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and the fourth quarter without quarterback Philip Rivers. Tomlinson suffered a bruised left knee in the second quarter and spent the rest of the game on the sideline. Rivers' right knee was injured at the end of the third quarter, and he missed the rest of the game.

Coach Norv Turner termed them both "questionable" for the AFC title game next Sunday. Also iffy is tight end Antonio Gates, who played sparingly against the Colts with a dislocated toe.

Tomlinson's injury opened the way for Michael Turner, who is considered by most to be the best No. 2 running back in the league. Rather than trade him last offseason, the Chargers signed Turner to a one-year, $2.35 million tender to have him for one more season as insurance in case LT got hurt.

"It paid off today," Turner told reporters after he ran for 71 yards on 17 carries and added to his value when he becomes a free agent in March.

Turner and backup QB Billy Volek spearheaded the Chargers' go-ahead touchdown drive -- a 78-yard march that ended in Volek's 1-yard TD dive with 4:50 left in the game.

"That's the true measure of a team," Tomlinson said. "Guys stepped up and got it done."

But with their best offensive players ailing, what chance do the Chargers have against New England?
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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