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Today in Patriots History
Tomlinson Pouts on Bench in AFCCG
Tomlinson Pouts on Bench in AFCCG
Sunday January 20, 2008 at 3:00
2007 AFC Championship Game at Gillette
New England Patriots 21, San Diego Chargers 12
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Norv Turner
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers
Odds: New England favored by 14
Pats improve to 18-0; advance to Super Bowl 42
Chargers finish 13-6
Key Stats:
Third Down: Patriots 7-13; Chargers 3-12
Laurence Maroney: 4.9 yards per carry; 25 rushes for 122 yards and one TD
Kevin Faulk: 9 touches for 90 yards, including 8 receptions on 8 targets for 82 yards
Wes Welker: 7 receptions on 9 targets, 56 yards, one TD
Ellis Hobbs: Team-high 8 tackles (7 solo) and one interception
The game began slowly, with five short drives ending in a punt for the two offenses. On the first play of the third Patriot possession Quentin Jammer intercepted a deep pass on the right intended for Donté Stallworth. Four plays later San Diego had a first-and-goal at the nine, but the defense stiffened and held the Chargers to a field goal.
On the next possession Tom Brady completed five of six passes, using quick, short routes and screens to neutralize edge pass rushers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. The drive included a 14 yard end around from Randy Moss, and Kevin Faulk had three catches for 25 yards. Laurence Maroney's one-yard run gave the Patriots a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.
San Diego moved the ball quickly on the next possession, with 6'5 Vincent Jackson catching passes of 15, 16 and 21 yards. Again the Patriot red zone defense held their ground, limiting the Chargers to a field goal after another first-and-goal at the nine yard line.
The Patriots were forced to punt again but pinned San Diego down on their own four yard line. Asante Samuel intercepted a pass and Pats took over on the Charger 24 yard line. Brady completed a pair of 12 yards passes, to Kevin Faulk and Jabar Gaffney, and New England led 14-6.
Ellis Hobbs ended the next Charger possession with an interception, but the Patriots went three and out. With 1:46 left in the half the Patriots focused on defending deep passes and the sideline; Darren Sproles ran up the middle twice for 34 yards to put the Chargers in position for their third field goal just before time expired.
The first possession of the second half ended with another pass intended for Stallworth being intercepted. Passes from Philip Rivers to Jackson put the Chargers in the red zone again, but on third-and-one from the four Junior Seau stood up Michael Turner for a loss of two. A fourth field goal by Nate Kaeding made the score 14-12.
Laurence Maroney ran for 18, 11, six and four yards on the next drive to give the Patriots a first and goal. On third and two Brady was picked off again. Rather than go down in the end zone to give San Diego the ball at the 20, Antonio Cromartie attempted to run the ball out, despite being in the middle of the end zone and surrounded by bodies.
For the second time the Chargers were forced to start a drive from their own four yard line. Five plays later San Diego was forced to punt, and once again the Pats had the ball in good field position. Laurence Maroney's 20 yard run set up a six yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker, and the Pats led 21-12 with 12:16 left to play in the fourth quarter.
San Diego moved into Patriot territory on the ensuing drive, but was again forced to punt. From there it was all Maroney and Faulk as the Pats held the ball for the final nine minutes and 13 seconds. The Patriots simply kept the San Diego offense on the bench in the second half, with their final three drives going for 65 yards, 67 yards and 65 yards - and consuming a combined 19:10 off the clock. The Chargers had the ball just three times in the second half - a field goal and two punts - for a mere eight minutes and 22 seconds.
Perfect Patriots beat San Diego 21-12 in AFC Championship Game
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Perfection comes down to one game now. Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship…
www.nydailynews.com
Tomlinson carried on the first two San Diego plays, and did not touch the ball again because of a bad knee. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hung in despite a bum knee and star tight end Antonio Gates did his best with a dislocated toe.
The Chargers (13-6) gave a better performance than early this season, when they were routed 38-14 at New England. They trailed just 14-12 midway in the third quarter this time, but Brady's 6-yard TD pass to Wes Welker was enough for New England.
Maroney ran for 122 yards to help hold the lead.
In stark comparison to Lady Tomlinson, Philip Rivers was a warrior, playing this game on a torn ACL.
Patriots 21-12 Chargers (Jan 20, 2008) Final Score - ESPN
Game summary of the New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers NFL game, final score 21-12, from January 20, 2008 on ESPN.
NFL Playoffs - 2007 AFC Championship - New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers - ESPN
Complete coverage of the 2007 AFC Championshipgame between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers
www.espn.com
Patriots 21, Chargers 12 (Live Blog) - The Fifth Down
Looking back: Hurt of '07 AFC Championship immense for L.T., Chargers, San Diego
I was lucky enough to be in Canton, Ohio, this past weekend to celebrate LaDainian Tomlinson’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
Remember that Game When Philip Rivers Played on a Torn ACL? [2:26]
2007 Chargers at Patriots AFC Championship Highlights [8:31]
2007 Chargers at Patriots AFC Championship Highlights [8:31]
