That's all very nice, and you do have some points; but the reason the Media and Patriots fans and experts all think the Chargers can't win is a very simple reason.
The Patriots beat the Chargers 38-14 earlier this season.
Now you can rant and rave about how the Chargers are a different team now, 8 in a row, blah blah blah, we know. It's been gone over and gone over ad nauseum, so I don't think we have to do it again. And to be completely honest, you're not wrong.
So if you don't mind, do me a favor and turn the tables. San Diego is undefeated and is resting comfortably in an unusually warm (80s) and blustery (which it is right now, I think) city. They're sitting back and waiting for the New England Patriots, a plucky 11-5 team that's on an 8 game win streak, and has just gone into the RCA Dome and eked out a tight win against the Colts. Although they did give up 400 yds passing, they made the plays when they had to, and came out with the W. Tom Brady was talking trash with the Indianapolis crowd on the way out; and Ty Warren says to reporters "Oh, The Chargers are Worried about us! They know what's up!".
In the game, both Brady and Maroney have leg injuries, and Brady is unlikely to play with 2 sprained MCLs. Maroney may play, but he won't be 100%. (Benefit of the doubt here, because Gates is the Chargers best receiver). Not to mention, Randy Moss has a painful dislocated toe that he's been playing on for the last 2 weeks, but has gutted it out. Perrenial Journeyman Coach Bill Belichick (who replaced Pete Carroll last year, who won tons of regular season games, but suffered in the playoffs) has his small-sample playoff record over .500 and doesn't look nervous, but oddly confident.
Not to mention, the Chargers beat the Patriots in Week 2 38-14 at home, where the game was played before, but this time, the weather is clearly in your favor.
What kind of chance would you give the Patriots to win this game? Please be honest.