With starters felled, reserves carry Chargers to image-changing upset
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
The Chargers start to celebrate on the sidelines when with less than 2 minutes left in the game the Chargers' defense was holding the Colts without a score.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer
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INDIANAPOLIS ---- The label has been bouncing around the axis of the NFL ever since the Chargers' disheartening playoff pratfall against New England last January.
To paraphrase, it goes something like this: The Chargers are a team full of talented players but always on the brink of imploding. When the going gets tough, you can expect the Chargers to get going all right ---- in the wrong direction.
That reputation was flattened and trampled in the AFC divisional playoffs Sunday when a battered and gored Chargers team took resiliency to a higher level and booted the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts right out of the playoff field with a 28-24 upset before 56,950 mostly despondent Colts fans.
Backup quarterback Billy Volek scored the winning points on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 4 minutes, 50 seconds remaining ---- Volek being one of the heroes is proof of an atypical afternoon ---- as the Chargers earned a date with the unbeaten New England Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
The epic victory over the Colts was etched with running back LaDainian Tomlinson missing the second half, quarterback Philip Rivers missing the final quarter and tight end Antonio Gates limping on his dislocated left big toe.
Instead, guys like Volek, Michael Turner, Darren Sproles and Legedu Naanee were making big plays with the season on the line. And when Peyton Manning's fourth-down pass bounced off Dallas Clark's hand with 58 seconds left, the brakes were put on the scuttlebutt that the Chargers are a mentally soft team prone to folding under the pressures of the playoff spotlight.
"There's a mind-set in our league that our guys kind of play good in front and are front-runners," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "But when it gets tough or they're playing good teams or things get real challenging, that they don't rise to the occasion.
"That's been mentioned a few times this year to me and suggested a few times, and I think we put that thing to rest. I think that one's done. Forever."
The Chargers will again find themselves picked to lose when they play a Patriots squad that humiliated them 38-14 earlier this season. New England also ousted the Chargers last season when the Chargers made a litany of mistakes during a home playoff game.
This time, a Super Bowl berth is on the line and the Chargers are just fine with nobody expecting them to be the team heading to Glendale, Ariz., for February's big game.
"No one gave us a chance this week, either," free safety Marlon McCree said. "We're used to that, and we like it that way. Keep us under the table and make us the underdog, and we'll go out there and prove them wrong."
McCree and the defense came up big late in the game as the Colts reached the Chargers 9 with 2:51 to play.
Joseph Addai gained 2 yards on first down before Manning threw three straight incompletions. Linebacker Shaun Phillips made a key defensive play by deflecting Manning's third-down pass.
"We expect Peyton to make plays, but you know, guys on our side of the ball get paid money too," Phillips said. "Just because Peyton's throwing the ball, we're not going to lay down and let them catch the ball. We get paid a lot of money to make plays, and guys went out there and made plays."
The Chargers made a lot of plays in a second half that began with them trailing 10-7.
Rivers guided the Chargers 83 yards on six plays to start the half, ultimately connecting with Chris Chambers on a 30-yard scoring pass.
The Colts rebounded on Manning's 9-yard scoring pass to Reggie Wayne. An official ruled Wayne out of bounds at the 2, but Colts coach Tony Dungy challenged the call, which was reversed, putting the Colts back ahead 17-14.
But Rivers and the Chargers answered quickly. Rivers, who passed for 143 of his 264 yards in the third quarter, tossed a short pass to Darren Sproles on the final play of the quarter. Sproles headed left and turned it into a 56-yard touchdown when he took advantage of Kris Dielman's good block and a poor angle taken by Indianapolis middle linebacker Gary Brackett.
Rivers landed awkwardly on his right knee on that play and joined Tomlinson (left knee) on the sidelines for the rest of the game. Indianapolis soon regained the lead on a 55-yard pass from Manning to Anthony Gonzalez with 10:07 to play.
That put the Chargers in rally mode behind Volek, who had three completions and 6 passing yards in the regular season. However, the eight-year veteran wasn't fazed by the situation and coolly navigated the Chargers downfield.
Starting 78 yards from the end zone, Volek hit Chambers for 15 yards to get things started. Later, he threw a receiver screen pass to Naanee, and the rookie raced 27 yards to the Colts 15.
Michael Turner (71 yards rushing) then carried three consecutive times to push the ball to the Indianapolis 1 before Volek sneaked in for the go-ahead score.
"Every player on this team has a role," Volek said. "I know what my role is, and if the No. 1 guy gets banged up, I've got to go out there and keep this thing moving."
Volek will learn later this week whether he gets the call against the Patriots should Rivers' knee injury prove serious. Regardless, it was a surreal afternoon with Rivers and Tomlinson on the sidelines as the Chargers notched an improbable win over the heavily favored Colts.
"Nobody thought we would win," center Nick Hardwick said. "Nobody thought we were going to win with (backups) in the backfield. Nobody believed in us except us."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
Chargers by the numbers
0 ---- Minutes played in the second half by star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and in the fourth quarter by starting quarterback Philip Rivers, both of whom left the game with injuries
1 ---- Touchdowns scored, on a sneak, by Chargers backup quarterback Billy Volek in the fourth quarter
2 ---- Chargers victories required to win the Super Bowl
3 ---- Turnovers forced by the Chargers, including two interceptions
8 ---- Consecutive victories for the Chargers, the second longest winning streak in the NFL, trailing only the New England Patriots' 17
93 ---- Receiving yards for Vincent Jackson, giving him 207 in the Chargers' two playoff games this season
402 ---- Passing yards for Peyton Manning, who is winless in his last three starts against the Chargers
--- North County Times
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Good Game! wrote on Jan 13, 2008 11:49 PM:Still won't be good enough for the Pats! The Chargers are out of thier league!
Go Pats! wrote on Jan 13, 2008 11:50 PM:Bolts don't have what it takes!
James wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:06 AM:Just a little history maybe repeating itself. In '94 the refs tried to steal the Chargers playoff game and give it to Marino...Keith Jackson's "lateral" forward and the non-touchdown call to Sean Jefferson...that Chargers team beat the Dolphins, Steelers and went onto the Superbowl...well the friggin' refs tried to give it to the modern day media darling, Manning to no avail you biatches...hopefully they'll go onto beat the heavily favored PATS...I guarantee you neither the Giants or the Packers will pose the same threat as the 49ers in '95. GO CHARGERS!
Jose wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:18 AM:It was refreshing to watch the Bolts prove the experts behind Conventional Wisdom wrong with their great win in Indy. To be honest, I was a bit unsure that they'd come out on top, but then I've seen the Chargers hopes dashed countless times in the past...just historical baggage I guess. I was very surprised and pleased to see Billy Volek fill in and do the job in place of Rivers. I remember his rather unstellar performance weeks back when he last filled in for Rivers. Way to go! I had always believed that the Bolts had depth and they just needed to give guys like Volek, MT, Jackson and Sproles more opportunities to contribute. They showed their value against the Colts. So it was such a good feeling to see them do their jobs well. Now with the Colt victory in the books, there's just one crucial concern I have about the Chargers' offensive game playing strategy. They need to manage the game clock better when they have a slim lead (7 pts or less) inside 5 minutes against strong opponents like Indy and New England. That means the Bolts must convert on third down to keep possession and eat up the clock. On the Chargers last 4 possessions of the game, they only successfully converted on 3rd down once and that drive was helped by a Colts' D penalty or else all four drives would've stalled and there would not have been the Volek TD and ultimeately no Charger victory. This is important because when Manning was given the opportunity to get back on the field, he moved his team fairly easily down filed and into the red zone (and for sure Brady will do the same if the Bolts don't shore up that aspect of their game strategy). The Bolts can't always expect the D to come up big with a game saving play regardless of how well they've played. Remember, the Pats play almost mistake free ball and can score quickly and often. Let's hope the Bolts can keep Brady off balanced when he's on the field and off the field often while the Bolts manage the field, score board and clock. Go Charger! You can do it! It's pay back time and revenge is sweet!
Jose wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:32 AM:Hey, wouldn't it be great if the Chargers face Green Bay in the Super Bowl and win? That would be so sweet and the Bolts revenge would be complete! First settling the score with the Patriots (and shutting up those East Coast/New England bomb basts and cheaters) and then dispatching Favre and the Packers with dominating play. It would be nice to see that come to be! Should the Giants and Chargers make to the Super Bowl, that would be good, too. After all, Eli didn't want to play for the lowly Chargers and had Papa Archie call to make sure he wasn't drafted by the Bolts. It would be poetic justice for two Mannings to fall at the feet of the Chargers. Anyway, the time has come for the dark cloud of Charger disappointment to lift and drift else where. Get better Rivers, LT and Gates. Go Chargers!
AL wrote on Jan 14, 2008 3:56 AM:CONGRATULATIONS CHARGERS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL. MUST SAY YOU PLAYED YOUR HEARTS OUT, AND CERTAINLY DESERVE THE POSITION YOU ARE IN.
Raj wrote on Jan 14, 2008 7:20 AM:Awesome win..but remember..anything less than a Superbowl Championship is UNACCEPTABLE!!!! No more of this going to the big dance and choking!! Bring on the PATS!!! Revenge!!!!
Nor Cal Charger wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:07 AM:Congrats to Bolts for a gutsy performance. My First thought..any given Sunday, that will be the Bolt's motivation this weekend in Foxboro. No one gave us a chance in Indy and I know it will be that much worse against the Pats, but we have the right team, D and O to pull this out. Good luck guys and bring the biggest game in our history home..Go Bolts!
Go Chargers! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:55 AM:The ENITRE country is rooting for the CHARGERS this Sunday. Only the handfull of horrible, foul mouthed fans in Boston will be cheering for the CHEATS!
Jaque wrote on Jan 14, 2008 9:06 AM:Besides a bit of crappy tackling by the secondary in the first half, it was a gutsy win for the Chargers. Kudos to Volek (can that guy scramble or what?) and Sproles, not to mention Turner. I hope the trainers can do their magic and get Phil et al, healed up!
Good Job Chargers!!!
Markus wrote on Jan 14, 2008 10:06 AM:Do NOT.... DO NOT play that same read and react D that JAX employed. It was like watching a morphine drip. Brady and his balletic pose; he looked like Jethro Tull.
Charger Fan wrote on Jan 14, 2008 10:12 AM:Just goes to show, the best defense always wins in the playoffs. The reason why the Bolts have been playing so well is D and the O-line is healthy (and dominating defenses). Ever since Hardwick returned, they have won. It doesn't matter who is throwing, catching or running. Also, I think this is the first time in a while they ran a few screens. Good to see that back in the gameplan. So, Who has the best D? Pats or Bolts? I will take ours anyday. We know how to stop Randy and have won in NE in the past. This game is going to be epic.
don wrote on Jan 14, 2008 10:41 AM:the bolts have no chance against the pats,they shouldnt be in the same leage as the pats,GO PATS
Charger Fan wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:04 AM:Hey Don, the does the intelligence level of your pick have a direct correlation to the quality of your spelling and grammar? All of the Pat's fan that have posted have some "wicked dumb" mistakes. The red line under "leage" means it is mis-spelled. you will see this weekend when the Bolts shock the world. ...
CLAY wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:31 AM:YOU CHUMPS GOT LUCKY.......WAIT TIL THIS WEEKEND. WE'LL PUT THE NUTS TO THE BOLTS...................
CHARGERS KICK ASS!!! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:40 AM:Way to go BOLTS, you guys played an amazing game. Thank you to the indy fans who said we couldn't do and thank you to the pats fans, who will be watching us end their perfect season!!! the chargers are right where they deserve to be and good luck boys, next sunday will be awesome!!!
UZi wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:59 PM:Hey Charger Fan, before you go picking on someone else's grammar, try Pats' fan. Nice guess, though.
Prediction: Patriots 56 Chargers 3
The Chargers can't beat the Patriots, don't you remember the week two embarrassment? Yes, the Chargers have gotten better since then, but the Patriots haven't lost!
Concerned-1 wrote on Jan 14, 2008 2:05 PM:Keep all the jive coming Pats fans. You bandwagoners have a lot to cheer about: Best team ever, undefeated season, best quarterback ever, best coach ever and on and on. That's great, congratulations on a great season. Oh, and we will be in New England Sunday just for fun. Go Chargers!!!
unknown wrote on Jan 14, 2008 2:27 PM:yep them pats are a good team alright
all i got to say is if the chargers do not play good on there first drive we are goin to have a problem GO CHARGERS!!!!
Steve wrote on Jan 14, 2008 2:47 PM:Actions will speak louder than words this weekend.
It's going to be a great game!
Go Chargers!
H82Lose wrote on Jan 14, 2008 2:55 PM:Yet again, the myopic Pats fans think that everything is a forgone conclusion. I think the Colts and the Cowboys thought the same thing and they'll be sitting down eating popcorn this Sunday. I'm not saying the Chargers will win, but I am not giving the game to the Pats either. That's why the game is played. Ravens gave the Pats problems, we beat them. Colts gave the Pats problems, we beat them. Do we have what it take? Yes. That's why they play the game.
Blah, Blah, Blah wrote on Jan 14, 2008 4:34 PM:You guys want to see just how little respect the Patriot fans have for SD you should read the Boston Globe web site in the sport section!
James wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:01 PM:Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't the Colts the defending champions and the Pats were the team that choked away an 18 point lead last year?...JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERY PAT FAN WHO TALKS AS IF THEY ARE THE CHAMPS...YOU'RE NOT...AND YOU HAVE TO BEAT SAN DIEGO TO EVEN GET A CHANCE TO BE THE CHAMPS!
ALSO, BOSTON FAN IS HILARIOUS...THEY ACT LIKE THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND BOSTON...THE ONLY REASON ANYONE HAS ANY INTEREST IN BOSTON SPORTS IS BECAUSE YOU GUYS WERE SUCH PATHETIC LOSERS (1917) FOR SO LONG...
Battlehoss wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:41 PM:Don't the patsy fans get it? The law of averages is against them. N E has won to many games in a row! Time for a loss! LOL!
Response to:Go Chargers! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:50 PM:Yeah right! The whole country is cheerin on the Chargers like the lamb to the lion den! Ha! Evryone likes a good killing!
Chragers won't bring it! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:56 PM:They can dance though! In fact they could have won last year if they had not been dancing like idiots and playing to the moron fans of thiers. If they had come into the 4th qtr like they had come to the 1st, they might have done it! But yet again, they are just a bunch of criminals. Then when the Pats win and dance on and in thier house they cry like girls! Ha Ha Ha!
I agree with Steve! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:59 PM:Actions do speak louder! See you on the grid iron! Go Pats! It is going to be a slaughter!
Bolts shock the world. ... wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:04 PM:Ha Ha Ha Ha! Yeah! Right! What will be shocking is if the Chargers don't cry when they loose again to the greatest team that ever was! I will be shocked if the sorriest fans in the nation, don't start crying like the big babies they are, like they do every game they don't get their way! Please! Pats will toss them around the field like the sissys they are!
Packers and Pats in the bowl! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:06 PM:That is how it will turn out! Enjoy your little party in the park, San Diego!
Raj is right! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:09 PM:Stop dancing Chargers and do your job, Play ball already! Consistency girls!Consistency girls!Consistency girls! Go Pats!
If you wish upon a star! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:13 PM:Chargers keep wishing! Maybe that works in Disneyland. Not in Beantown. The best Football town, more culture, better beers, etc, etc, etc. What is San Diego known for?... Go Pats!
PatsHater! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 7:37 PM:Being born in raised in Pittsburgh as a Steelers fan, I truly hate the New England Patriots. However, I would still rather see them in the Super Bowl this year than see all the fairweather fans in San Diego pretend they are diehard fans that have been there for the long haul. San Diego has the most bandwagon uneducated football fans in the NFL. Stick to surfing. You know you have annoying fans when I would rather see Tom Brady's smug smile in the SB than see all the "Chargers" fans (who, I am pretty sure were all Raiders fans in the late 90's early 2000's) happy with their crybaby LT.
Chris wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:33 PM:Look Charger Fans, I'm not taking anything away from your team. The Chargers just put up one of the greatest playoff preformances of all time, pulling a massive upset over the defending world champions, in thier home stadium, despite key injuries and penalty calls that made the officials appear to be bribed- power to you. But don't start assuming that a big upset win in the divisional round automatically punches a ticket to the Super Bowl. You can't deny that our offense is one of- if not the- best of all time, or that Brady and Belichick have never lost a home playoff game. Plus, LT is hurt, won't be 100% for that game (even if it is a week away), and the Patriot's defense is a lot better than most people have given it credit for. I won't go so far as to say this will be a blowout, but the Patriots will win: 38-27
One last thing: Given Rivers'immature and unprofessional jawing with the Indy crowd after Sunday's game, I never want to hear another Charger fan or player call the Patriots' class into question. Next week Brady will show Rivers how a true professional plays the game.
Steve wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:35 PM:Drew WHO??? Hey Jimbo & Buddy and the rest of you Rivers bashers: Just another "average" game by the Chargers' "average" quarterback who had a ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE quarterback rating completing a SEVENTY THREE % of his passes for a whopping 264 yards (in just 3 quarters) against the defending SUPER BOWL CHAMPS with the TOP RATED DEFENSE. Take the dozen eggs off your face guys and give the kid the kudos he deserves if you expect to have a shred of credibility on this site anymore. FOX sports said that Philip was PHENOMENAL. Who has more credibility...them or you? He has WON 2 playoff games in just his first 2 years starting both on badly injured knees. How many did Mr. AINT'S "take the money and run-stay at home for the playoffs" Brees win in his 5 years with the Chargers? That's right-a big fat goose egg-ZERO!
The tv announcer called the SPECTACULAR touchdown pass to Chambers PERFECT!
Great game plan by Norv & Ted and great heart and determination by our beloved Chargers. How did you like the HIT by McCree who essentially wiped away the ghost of his horrific mistake in last years' playoff loss to the Pats. That was a huge play along with ONE HANDED Weddle's interception at the 2 yard line all the while being hammered by a center which outweighs him by almost 100 pounds.
Great to see Naanee get the big screen and Cooper had an incredible 16 tackles. The ankle tackle of Manning by Merriman was like a replay of the one the year the Chargers broke the Colt's consecutive win streak. That was an incredible "I will not be denied" effort. Sproles' run was electrifying and a just reward for the "little engine that COULD" especially after him being out all last year injured.
While I thought Florence was lazy on the missed tackle and did not pursue the receiver down the field he did make a big play on the Colt's last offensive play by getting in front of the receiver causing Manning to throw a little too high for his receiver thus an incompletion on 4th down to seal the game.
The PHANTOM "hold" on Weddle, which negated Crime Time Cromartie's MAGNIFICENT interception for a touchdownb runback, is now part of Chargers lore.
Kudos for Volek for stepping up and orchestrating the winning drive without LT.
The O line was dominating. Watch the replay of the Sproles screen and see 4 Chargers out front totally destroying Colt defenders-especially Mount McNiel.
The Chargers CAN beat the Pats but it will take a perfect game for a full 60 minutes. They should be able to run against their aging defense with either LT or The Burner. I would put Cromartie one on one with Moss and have Weddle blanket Welker in the slot.
Are you ready for some REVENGE? Go Chargers!
Another Charger Fan wrote on Jan 14, 2008 9:28 PM:Win or lose, I'm happy with the Chargers and what they have done this year. Talk all you want Pats fans, YOU just like your team, are the most stuck up and most cockiest players and fans around. Be supportive of your team and be proud of what they (Pats) have done, but don't be a four year old little jerk about it!
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