San Diego 28, Indianapolis 24.  Quite possibly one of the worst things that could’ve happened to the Patriots potential run at 19-0. 

First, let me answer those Patriot fans who demand otherwise.  Strategically, it’s a great thing.  The Chargers with almost all of their major offensive weapons at less than 100% health?  The AFC title game at the Big Razor?  Norv Turner vs. Bill Belichick? Sign me up.  It’s almost as if Zeus looked down on the Patriots mountain of a playoff road to the Super Bowl and threw a gynormous lightning bolt into it, cutting the sucker in half.

The problem is that this mini-hurdle of the Chargers provides people like Mercury Morris with an excuse should New England run the table.  “Well sure, they won every game, but they didn’t have to play the Colts in the playoffs.”  This is a stupid argument for two very obvious reasons.

1. San Diego 28, Indianapolis 24.  That’s right, haters.  See that score there?  Guess what that means.  It means the Colts blew it, choked, screwed up.  For those of you that don’t understand the playoff system, it’s win or go home.  There are no second chances in the NFL.  If the Patriots should’ve had to play the Colts again, maybe Indy’s pathetic defense should’ve made more of an effort to stop Billy Volek.  Yes, you read that correctly, Billy Volek led the Chargers winning touchdown drive.  New England didn’t duck Indy, Indy decided not to show up when it mattered, plain and simple.

2. Patriots 24, Colts 20.  Yeah, remember that game.  See these two played during the regular season and look who won.  Don’t forget this game was also in the RCA Dome.  Would the result really change with the venue?  Granted Peyton was forced to play without Marvin Harrison in that game, but what exactly did the future Hall of Famer do against the Chargers?  2 catches, 27 yards, and a crucial lost fumble on a drive that would’ve put the Colts in the driver’s seat at 14-0 and spread Norv Turner faces across every Chargers player.

So now New England has what appears to be a much easier road to perfection with a banged up Chargers team in the AFC title game.  Sorry folks, it’s not the game everyone wanted to see but the Patriots held up their end of the deal, don’t hold it against them.