2008 AFC Championship Prediction: Chargers Vs. Patriots

Will the Pats go all the way once again or will the Chargers make their second appearance at the Super Bowl in franchise history?

In my view, it all comes down to how the Chargers play versus what the Pats can put up.

Playing in Foxborough, Mass., the Pats have a basic home advantage, and with the Bolt reeling from a string of injuries, the onus is on them to perform.
This year, the record stands the same: the Pats are running high and undefeated in the AFC division, and it will take a strong offense from the San Diego Chargers to pull through. It's terrible timing: the Chargers will likely be without their quarterback Philip Rivers due to a ripped ACL and MCL, and the team's other key players LaDainian Tomlinson (running back) and Antonio Gates (tight end) will be playing injured. Are they a stronger team than when they were taken down hard earlier in the season by the Pats? Without their QB, hardly.

Not having Rivers there is the lynchpin to their downfall. The young buck has talent, no doubt -- he had an impressive 62% completion record last season and the Chargers are developing the guy to be a top quarterback. Without him, though, and the team has a big chink in their armor.

To heap more misery on diehard Bolts fans, the New England Patriots are known for a strong defense and are no doubt ready to do battle hard.
Can the Pats make it a theoretical clean sweep for the AFC? Each writer at ESPN.com says the Chargers will go down in flames.

However, take note: As Sports Illustrated points out, "... the last time the Chargers ventured into Gillette Stadium with a historic Patriots winning streak on the line ... they beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to a pulp, 41-17, in Week 4 of the 2005 regular season."

My prediction? It's going to be the Pats all the way. I would put the spread at 26 to 14. The Chargers will try their best, but it won't be enough against Tom Brady's machine.