SAN DIEGO - In the NFL, each decade brings a new dynasty. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the team to beat in the 1970s, giving way to the San Francisco 49ers in the '80s and the Dallas Cowboys in the '90s.

Version Y2K is heading west this week. Since the dawn of the new century, the New England Patriots have claimed that designation as the NFL's model franchise.

With three Super Bowl victories in the previous five seasons, the Patriots have the hardware to stack up. And with enigmatic coach Bill Belichick and cool-in-the-clutch quarterback Tom Brady, they also have the kind of intangible elements it takes to build a near mythical mystique.

The stuff of legends it may be, but as the Chargers prepare for Sunday's home divisional playoff game with New England, they insist they're not about to blink when faced with the gleam of those three Super Bowl rings.

"We've obviously drawn a very, very fine opponent," said head coach Marty Schottenheimer. "The Patriots are an outstanding football team in every phase of what they do; they're extremely well coached, they've got good players.

"But we still intend to show up."

That last sentiment was a theme around Chargers Park on Monday - the day after the Patriots polished off the Jets 37-16 to earn a trip to San Diego - as the Chargers seemed respectful of their next opponent, but far from awed.

"To us, we go into the week knowing that they're capable of doing a lot of things," said linebacker Shawne Merriman on the topic of the Patriots' mystique. "But what it means to us? (It's) a team we have to beat to get to where we want to go. That's really all it means to the San Diego Chargers.

"And that's not a discredit to the New England Patriots because they know how to win, but everybody to us has the same record in the playoffs."

Even if their record in the playoffs is what these Patriots are most known for? The mark of the Belichick-Brady tandem in the postseason is a much-bandied-about stat - a daunting 11-1 - with the only loss coming last year in the divisional round at Denver.

Even so, the Chargers have recently shown themselves capable of bucking historical trends, like last year when they handed New England its first home loss in 21 games, or this season when they pulled off a win in Denver for the first time since 1999. They also didn't flinch in October when facing another group of guys with rings, beating the defending-champion Pittsburgh Steelers 23-13.

So perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that the Chargers now shrug with a storied opponent coming to town.

"You definitely respect them for the things they've done in the past and the things they've done throughout this season," tight end Antonio Gates said. "You just want to go out and play with respect, but at the same time you fear no one.

"I think that's our mind-set, we don't want to go out and fear the New England Patriots."

Or analyze what a win might mean, evidently.

For an organization like the Chargers - one that stands on the precipice of joining the NFL's elite - a win over the old guard would figure to represent a fitting step forward. But the Chargers seem disinterested in the prospect of a statement victory.

It's the playoffs, after all. Any victory will do.

"We have to take the next step, so I don't think it mattered who we were going to play," said running back LaDainian Tomlinson. "I think the focus is on us and what we expect out of ourselves."

Chargers notes

A team-record and league-best five Chargers were named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team on Monday: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, FB Lorenzo Neal, LB Shawne Merriman, DT Jamal Williams and TE Antonio Gates. … Coach Marty Schottenheimer said it's all hands on deck for Sunday's game with the Patriots, with the possible exception of DE Jacques Cesaire (knee), who will likely be listed as questionable. But even if Cesaire can't go, his loss will be mitigated by the return of starting DE Luis Castillo from an ankle injury. Castillo is expected to fully participate in practice this week. …. There are no tickets remaining for Sunday's playoff game against the New England Patriots. A Chargers official said the few remaining seats left Monday afternoon sold out in a matter of minutes.

- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.