Chargers postgame -- Gates in jeopardy of missing AFC title game

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:08 PM PST ∞

INDIANAPOLIS ---- Antonio Gates knew he shouldn't have been playing football Sunday. Now he's worried he won't be able to play in the upcoming AFC Championship Game.

The Chargers' star tight end played with a dislocated left big toe in the playoff victory over Indianapolis at the RCA Dome, and the toe was throbbing afterwards.

"By me playing on it, it actually made it worse," Gates said. "I knew going out there would make it worse because it's a dislocated toe. It's just one of those situations where all I've got is two more games, man. I'm going to do everything I can.

"Now that I played, the chances decrease. They don't increase, like 'Oh, he's definitely going to play next week.' This isn't that kind of injury. Once you play on it, you decrease the chance of getting back out there."

Gates caught two passes for 28 yards against Indianapolis. He had a 23-yard reception during the Chargers' first touchdown drive.

Gates decided to play after testing the foot in pregame warmups.

"It was basically a game-time decision, and it will be a game-time decision this week because this toe is a very, very unique thing," Gates said. "You really don't know what it's going to give you until you actually get on it.

Busy Weddle
Rookie S Eric Weddle had an interesting afternoon, making a key interception to snuff a Colts drive and being called for a questionable holding penalty that negated a touchdown by CB Antonio Cromartie.

The interception occurred on Indianapolis' first drive of the second half. The Colts trailed 14-10 and had reached the Chargers 4-yard line before Weddle made a one-handed interception of Peyton Manning while engaged with a Colts' blocker.

"I recognized the play," Weddle said. "They did that play earlier in the game and they did it the first game we played for a touchdown. I knew by the set and by their alignment. I just knew that the play was going to come, and my job was just to hit the guard to stall him and let my guys come in and make the tackle.

"I was lucky enough to get my hands on it."

Weddle was unlucky on the first-half play in which Cromartie's 89-yard interception returned was nullified. Weddle was flagged for holding Colts RB Joseph Addai, a ruling that infuriated the Chargers.

Weddle was adamant that he didn't hold Addai.

"When I saw Cro make that guy miss, I turned and saw Addai right there," Weddle explained. "I went and hit him and got my hands inside, and I was getting ready to drive him down. He somehow grabbed me and threw me down with him. He threw me down.

"I just think the ref saw it after we were going down and just figured I threw him down. That stuff happens. It's an unlucky play on my part."

Can you hear me?
The raucous atmosphere at the RCA Dome made it hard for the Chargers to hear offensive signals. The Chargers were twice called for delay of game with Philip Rivers at quarterback.

Rivers was called for a delay of game and RG Mike Goff was twice penalized for false starts during the Chargers' second-quarter touchdown drive

Backup QB Billy Volek didn't get victimized in the one quarter he played, but was stunned by the volume of the noise, particularly when RT Jeromey Clary started yelling back at him.

"The Colts have great fans," Volek said. "I was yelling as loud as I could. Clary kept on telling me to yell louder."

A quick trigger finger
Chargers coach Norv Turner was stunned with how the scoreboard clock started slowly and stopped rapidly just prior to the 2-minute warning.

A fourth-down incomplete pass play by Indianapolis took just 5 seconds and left the time at 2:01 as the Chargers took over possession. The timing of the stoppage meant the clock would stop for the 2-minute warning after the Chargers' first-down play, benefitting the Colts.

"It's remarkable when you're on the road and (the Colts) run a play and the clock stops at 2:01," Turner said. "Someone has quick fingers up there. I'm not being critical. I couldn't do it that quick sitting in my living room."

Injury report
RB LaDainian Tomlinson bruised his left knee in the second quarter and didn't play in the second half. He will be re-evaluated today.

QB Philip Rivers injured his right knee on the final play of the third quarter and missed the final quarter. The extent of the injury isn't immediately known, and Rivers will be examined further today.

Turner, however, rated both players as questionable for the AFC Championship Game against New England.

DT Jamal Williams suffered what is believed to be a minor ankle injury.

DE Luis Castillo injured a rib in the first quarter but returned to the game.

KEY STAT: 3
Number of turnovers forced by the Chargers, two by cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who intercepted a pass and forced a Colts fumble.

TURNING POINT
Backup quarterback Billy Volek drove the Chargers 78 yards on eight plays for the winning score, sneaking in from the 1-yard line with 4:50 remaining.

QUOTABLE
"No one gave us a chance this week, either. 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."

---- Marlon McCree, Chargers free safety, on the fact the Chargers will be huge underdogs against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

NEXT GAME
Chargers at New England

Noon on Sunday

QB Tom Brady is two wins from slipping on a fourth Super Bowl championship ring

Who's hot
Norv Turner

He was supposed to be the coach who would assure this team underachieved. Instead, he's headed to the AFC Championship Game after defeating the defending Super Bowl champions while relying on substitutes for LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers.

Who's not
Tony Dungy

Can you imagine if this turns out to be Dungy's final game as coach of the Colts? A one-and-done playoff run on the way out of town isn't exactly the right way to leave.