Chargers Bolt Past Titans!

In a game which eerily resembled their regular season matchup, the San Diego Chargers offense managed nothing in the first half of their matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Once again, the Charger defense kept them in the game, allowing only two Rob Bironas field goals to give the visiting Titans a 6-0 lead.

The tide began to turn in third quarter though as the Chargers drove 86 yards in 12 plays on their first drive to set up a Matt Kaeding field goal. The Chargers would score again on their next two possessions, taking a 10-6 lead on a 25 yard pass from Philip Rivers to Vincent Jackson with 2:35 to play in the quarter. On their next possession, the Titans drove down the field inside the Charger red-zone, but the defense stiffened, forcing a 38 yard field goal attempt from the All-Pro Bironas. Bironas pulled the kick wide left for a rare miss.

The Chargers drove downfield again with their next possession, and after a 9 yard run from LaDainian Tomlinson, they were faced with a fourth and goal from inside the one yard line. Tomlinson leaped high into the air and was met right at the goal line by Titan linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Tomlinson then stretched his hands across the goal-line with a second effort to give the Chargers an insurmountable 17-6 lead.

The Titans could not put together drives on their final two possessions, the final one ending on an interception of Vince Young with 3:33 to play. The Chargers took over after that and were able to run out the clock.

Next Sunday, the Chargers take on another team they played and beat previously in the Indianapolis Colts. This time though they travel to Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning and the rest of his teammates. You may recall that the Chargers forced six Manning interceptions in that previous game - a career high. In the Colts' other 15 games, Manning only tossed eight interceptions total. Since these are my two favorite teams remaining in the playoffs, it will be hard to do a lot of cheering for either side. All I know is that I will want the victor to somehow get past the Patriots and win the Super Bowl against whomever makes it there from the NFC.

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