Sunday NFL Gameday
The Chargers will be trying to upset the Patriots in New England on Sunday, while the Giants will battle the Packers in Green Bay. Here's a look at both of those contests . .
San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots (-13.5) (Total 46.5)
The Chargers suffered injuries to both Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson last weekend, but the duo of Billy Volek and Michael Turner proved to be enough to lead them to a 28-24 upset road win over the Colts. Rivers went 14-of-19 for 264 yards passing with three TDs and one INT before leaving with a knee injury; he'll likely be a game-time decision on Sunday. Tomlinson also hurt his knee against Indy, but he returned to practice this week and is expected to get a full workload vs. New England.
The Patriots pulled away from the Jaguars in the third quarter last weekend to secure a 31-20 home victory and also advance to the AFC Championship Game. Tom Brady had just two incompletions in that contest, as he went 26-of-28 for 262 yards passing with three TDs and zero INTs. Laurence Maroney rushed for 122 yards and a score, while Wes Welker had nine catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Randy Moss was held to just one catch for 14 yards, and he's been distracted this week by his off-field issues.
New England was pegged as a 3.5-point home favorite when these teams met back in September, and the Patriots responded with an easy 38-14 victory (for an OVER result). San Diego was listed as a 4.5-point home favorite last January during their playoff matchup, but New England came through with a win in that game as well (24-21, for an UNDER result). The Chargers last managed to win in New England back in October 2005, when they won 41-17 as a 3.5-point road underdog. That game was a big OVER.
Here are the official injury reports for both the Chargers and the Patriots for Sunday
San Diego Injuries
Antonio Gates TE Doubtful AFC Championship (toe)
Philip Rivers QB Doubtful AFC Championship (knee)
Jamal Williams DT Questionable AFC Championship (ankle)
Shawne Merriman LB Probable AFC Championship (illness)
New England Injuries
Mel Mitchell S Out AFC Championship (biceps)
Tom Brady QB Probable AFC Championship (right shoulder)
Rodney Harrison S Probable AFC Championship (thigh)
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers (-7) (Total 40.5)
The Giants stayed on a roll with a 21-17 road win over the favored Cowboys at Texas Stadium last weekend. Brandon Jacobs scored the winning touchdown off a one-yard run in the fourth quarter to give his team that underdog victory; Jacobs ran for 54 yards on 14 carries overall in the contest. Eli Manning went 12-of-18 for just 163 yards passing in the game, but he was good for two TD passes and wasn't picked off by the Cowboys. Amani Toomer had both touchdown grabs for the Giants, with 80 total yards.
Green Bay went down 14-0 early against the Seahawks in their first action of the playoffs last weekend, but they rebounded from there to post a convincing 42-20 home victory. Ryan Grant had a huge game for the favored Packers on the ground, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Brett Favre went 18-of-23 for 173 yards passing, tossing two TD strikes to Greg Jennings and another one to Brandon Jackson.
New York was favored by 2.5 points when these teams met at Giants Stadium back on September 16, but it was Green Bay that cruised to the 35-13 road victory. The combined score went OVER that game's posted total of 39.5 points. The Giants and Packers previously hadn't played since October 2004, with New York holding on for a 14-7 win at Lambeau Field. Green Bay was the 7-point favorite in that UNDER contest.
Here are the official injury reports for both the Giants and the Packers for Sunday
New York Injuries
Kevin Dockery CB Out NFC Championship (hip)
Plaxico Burress WR Questionable NFC Championship (ankle)
Sam Madison CB Questionable NFC Championship (abdomen)
Aaron Ross CB Questionable NFC Championship (shoulder)
Kareem McKenzie T Probable NFC Championship (ankle)
Green Bay Injuries
Will Blackmon CB Questionable NFC Championship (foot)
Nick Barnett LB Probable NFC Championship (hamstring)
Bubba Franks TE Probable NFC Championship (knee)
Koren Robinson WR Probable NFC Championship (knee)
Scott Wells C Probable NFC Championship (glute)
Charles Woodson CB Probable NFC Championship (knee)
