Chargers show they can rise to occasion
INDIANAPOLIS When the moment carried the most weight, a certain emotional commodity always eluded these San Diego Chargers.
You saw it in 2004, when they painfully imploded in a 20-17 wild-card loss to the New York Jets. It was a defined hollowness which once again revealed itself in last season's playoffs, when a celebrated juggernaut tumbled into infamy with a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots. And right up until Sunday, the Chargers seemed destined to carry one damning reputation: Here lies a team long on talent, short on poise, and destined to disappoint.
As Chargers coach Norv Turner put it after San Diego's stunning 28-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts, we finally can put all that to rest.
"There's a mindset in our league that our guys kind of play good in front they're front-runners and (that) when it gets tough, or when they play good teams, or things get really challenging, that they don't rise to the occasion," Turner said. "I think we've put that thing to rest. I think that one is done forever."
So it may be for the Chargers, who went into Indianapolis and flipped roles, sending the defending Super Bowl champs home, and scuttling the library of intriguing story lines a Colts-Patriots AFC championship would have provided. And they did it with no apologies, besting Peyton Manning and the Colts offense with a fourth quarter fueled by backup quarterback Billy Volek, backup running back Michael Turner and Norv a man considered by some to be a recycled ragamuffin as a head coach.
What it meant for this franchise was palpable Sunday night. San Diego showed it could weather a game of tremendous momentum shifts in a hostile environment while facing one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Chargers prevailed through seven lead changes, some questionable penalties and an interception for a touchdown that appeared to be called back erroneously. This from a team that repeatedly sabotaged itself in past playoff games with poor play calling, mistakes and a conservative nature that ultimately led to replacing coach Marty Schottenheimer with Turner this past offseason.
It was a coaching change met with wildly unpopular reviews, particularly after the Chargers struggled early this season to find an offensive rhythm. But redemption came in an avalanche Sunday night. Some for Turner, who reaches his first title game as a head coach, and some for blustery general manager A.J. Smith, who has increased his gloating factor tenfold.
Smith's choice to replace Schottenheimer now twice has done what his predecessor couldn't do: win a playoff game. His choice for defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell, did a masterful job when it meant the most, stifling the Colts' offense on its final two drives – both potential game-winners. Smith's other fingerprints? The backup running back he held onto despite trade interest picked up the second-half load from an injured LaDainian Tomlinson. The star quarterback he drafted, Philip Rivers, played arguably the best game of his career. And the backup quarterback Smith traded for, Volek, finished the game when Rivers couldn't.
"If we didn't have Mike Turner today, we would have been in trouble and Darren Sproles as well," Chargers safety Marlon McCree said. "Ted and Norv, they called their butts off. Speaking from a defensive standpoint, Ted made some calls that put us in some positions where Peyton didn't know what we were in. And he's the best quarterback in the league."
In many ways, the Chargers appear to be finding their groove on both sides of the ball, from last week's impressive 17-6 defensive win over Tennessee to this week's more potent offensive affair against the Colts. The defense, while having trouble stopping the Colts at times Sunday, continued to force critical mistakes. Two interceptions and a Marvin Harrison fumble killed three potential scoring drives, and Manning never looked comfortable late in the fourth quarter.
But the underlying theme that continues to push the Chargers has been the strong quarterback play of Rivers, who has provided almost all of the scoring punch in San Diego's two playoff wins. For the most part, Rivers has played his way through the gremlins of inconsistency that plagued him through the first half of the season.
His rise has been aided by San Diego's offensive line, which gave up five sacks to the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 9 but has surrendered only four in the five games since. In turn, Rivers has put together a steady five-game run, notching eight touchdowns and two interceptions in that span, and posting four 100-plus passer ratings in those games (the fifth being a 92.6 rating in last week's rematch against the Titans). All the while, he's shown the same poise that has come to define the Chargers down the stretch.
"I kind of all along hoped that what we went through all year some of the ups and downs and the criticism and the poor play by a lot of us that maybe it would pay off," Rivers said. "I think it has to this point. It has given us an ability to handle these situations."
Now the Chargers will face their ultimate test: finding a way to derail New England's dream season much the same way the Patriots destroyed San Diego's fairytale only a year ago. Last year's loss, which San Diego had in hand until McCree fumbled an interception which allowed New England's game-winning field goal, still reverberates in the mind of many Chargers players. For McCree, it's a play he says "still haunts" him. But within the pain is one more chance at redemption.
"I'm looking forward to watching that tape again," Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence said. "We did some good things in that game, too. I think we have to look at this like an opportunity because that's what it is. It's an opportunity to go back in there and set things right for us."
Copyright 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Jacksonville tries to stop Pats as New England resumes play
After a week out of the spotlight, the New England Patriots are back in its glow. They're three games away from 19-0 and an NFL title, but one loss away from losing a lot of the luster a 16-0 regular season brought them.
That hasn't changed Bill Belichick.
We've treated it one week at a time all year, so this week it's Jacksonville," the Patriots coach intones. "Each week has it's own unique challenges and that's definitely true this week. I don't think any of those other games really have a whole lot of bearing on this one."
Same old song.
New England rested last week, as did the other top seeds in the NFL's postseason festival: No. 2 Indy and the two top NFC teams, Dallas and Green Bay. They all face first-round winners in the latest test of whether it's better to have momentum or rest.
But the Patriots probably rested less than most.
Even in a bye week, Belichick always gives his players something to work on. That's in contrast to Dallas' Wade Phillips, who told his players to take three days off. So Tony Romo went to Mexico with his celebrity inamorata while the Patriots studied playbooks.
The Patriots have reason to believe that Saturday night's game will be difficult.
The Jaguars (12-5) won in Pittsburgh for the second time this season, losing a 28-10 fourth-quarter lead, then rallying to win 31-29 on Josh Scobee's late 25-yard field goal. It was set up a by a 32-yard fourth-down run by QB David Garrard, who was the team's leading rusher in the game.
Normally, Jacksonville depends on Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl this week as an injury replacement -- an honor long overdue. They combined for just 77 yards rushing in Pittsburgh, but Jones-Drew had a 96-yard kickoff return to set up a TD and a 43-yard score on a short pass from Garrard.
Jacksonville probably will have to open up its offense against a team that set a regular-season record with 589 points (almost 37 a game). That, of course, was due to league MVP Tom Brady, who set a record with 50 touchdown passes; Randy Moss, who had a record 23 TD catches; and Wes Welker, who tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions.
"I think they've got really an all-star cast," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio says. "I think you've got some certain Hall of Fame players. You've got a whole slew of all-stars and Pro Bowl-type guys, and the coaching staff is very strong. We've got a lot of respect for what they've been able to accomplish."
So does everyone else.
San Diego (12-5) at Indianapolis (13-3) (1 p.m. EST Sunday)
There has been so much focus on the Patriots that the reigning champion Colts have been low-profile this season, something they don't mind at all. They've also had time to heal injured players, although Marvin Harrison, who's missed much of the season with a knee problem, is still uncertain.
Still, this team may be stronger defensively than any Tony Dungy has had with the Colts. And the offense has been without Harrison for so long that Peyton Manning has gotten used to working with new receivers, notably rookie Anthony Gonzalez.
San Diego also has a problem with one of its stars: TE Antonio Gates, who sprained his big toe last week and is day to day.
The Chargers started 1-3 under Norv Turner, but go to Indy with a seven-game winning streak, including last week's 17-6 first-round victory over Tennessee -- one more playoff win than the departed Marty Schottenheimer had with last season's 14-2 team.
The Chargers beat the Colts 23-21 in San Diego on Nov. 11 in a fluky game.
Manning threw six interceptions, San Diego got TDs on punt and kickoff returns by Darren Sproles, and yet the Colts should have won. Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in NFL history, missed a 29-yard field goal with 1:31 left.
The better model may be the game two seasons ago, when San Diego won 26-17 in Indy, handing the Colts their first loss after a 13-0 start. They did it by pressuring Manning, a pattern Pittsburgh followed when it beat the Colts in the playoffs that season.
The normally placid Turner showed some emotion last week, dancing on the sideline after the Chargers' first playoff win since they beat Pittsburgh and went to the Super Bowl after the 1994 season.
"That first one's the hardest one," Turner said. "Just like when you start a game sometimes, that first score is the hardest one to get and then you get going. Hopefully, this jump-starts all of us."
New York Giants (11-6) at Dallas (13-3) (4:30 p.m. Sunday)
These teams have played 91 times, although this is the first time they've met in the playoffs.
The Cowboys won both regular-season meetings: 45-35 on opening night and 31-20 at the Meadowlands on Nov. 11. That loss in Dallas is the last time the Giants were beaten on the road. They have won eight straight, including a 24-14 win in Tampa last week, their first playoff victory since they beat Minnesota to go to the Super Bowl following the 2000 season.
They also have more momentum than the Cowboys, who lost two of their last three and got those days off earlier this month. Dallas hasn't won a postseason game since 1996.
Romo, whose relationship with Jessica Simpson seems to interest folks more than his on-field activities, finished poorly: one touchdown and five interceptions in his last two regular-season games. The maligned Eli Manning was much better for the Giants with six TDs and one interception combined in the Tampa Bay win and the near-miss 38-35 loss to New England in the regular-season closer.
Dallas' most pressing problem is the health of Terrell Owens, who has a high ankle sprain. He has practiced this week, but Phillips says his status is a game-time decision. Terry Glenn, out almost all season with knee problems, could help fill the hole, but he could be rusty.
One reason the Giants have improved offensively is the play of several rookies: fifth-round TE Kevin Boss, replacing the injured Jeremy Shockey; seventh-round RB Ahmad Bradshaw; and WR Steve Smith, a second-rounder who missed much of the season with injuries.
Seattle (11-6) at Green Bay (13-3) (4:30 p.m. Saturday)
Mike Holmgren, who won a Super Bowl coaching the Packers, points to last season's overtime loss to eventual NFC champion Chicago to demonstrate why his Seahawks are equipped to play in cold weather.
"No one gave us the slightest chance to even come close and we played a very fine football game; lost the football game, but played a good game and had a chance," he says. "We know the challenges, but it kind of gets you going. It kind of gets the juices flowing a little bit to say, 'OK, here's what we're up against now. Let's see what we can do.' That's a healthy thing. That's a good thing."
The key for Seattle will be to get a rush on Brett Favre. Patrick Kerney was second in the NFL with 14 1/2 sacks and the Seahawks were fourth overall with 45. But traction at Lambeau Field could be a problem; a wet or slippery field often causes defenses as many problems as it causes offenses.
There are connections between these teams. Not only did Holmgren win that title and an NFC championship in Green Bay, but he is credited with making Favre a star, and "Holmgren Way," named after him, is adjacent to Lambeau Field.
Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck was once Favre's backup. And in a 2004 playoff game in Green Bay, he was caught by a microphone after the overtime coin flip saying: "We want the ball and we're going to score!"
Instead, he threw an interception that was returned for the Packers' winning TD.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
McNabb looks forward to staying with Eagles
PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb is closer to being an elite quarterback again than moving to another team.
The uncertainty surrounding the five-time Pro Bowler's future with the Philadelphia Eagles seemingly was put to rest earlier this month when team president Joe Banner said he expected McNabb to be the starter next year.
Then McNabb started playing like his old self, making it nearly impossible for the Eagles not to bring him back for another season.
"I look forward to being here again next year," McNabb said Wednesday. "They can talk about where I may go, or whatever may happen, but until something is final I'm still here in Philadelphia and that's how I'm going to treat it."
Speculation about McNabb's future initially started when he sustained a season-ending knee injury last November. After Jeff Garcia stepped in and led the Eagles to a division championship and a playoff victory, critics wondered for the first time if McNabb was the best quarterback for Philadelphia.
Management made sure there would be no QB controversy for this season by not re-signing Garcia. But the team raised obvious questions about McNabb's future by selecting Kevin Kolb with its first pick in the draft.
McNabb returned ahead of schedule following major knee surgery, but struggled for much of the season. That only fueled talk that his days in Philadelphia were numbered.
But Banner made it clear McNabb was still in the Eagles' plans for next year during an interview on WIP-AM radio on Dec. 6.
"I can't envision a situation in which (McNabb) is not our quarterback next year," Banner said. "My expectation and I can't even picture a different scenario is that he'll be our quarterback next year."
Of course, if a team were to make a trade offer that included multiple first-round picks, all bets are off.
Philadelphia coach Andy Reid has said repeatedly since Banner's comments that McNabb is the team's QB for 2008. McNabb, despite a contrary television report two weeks ago, has said all along he wants to be back.
"Every time I was asked the question, I have always said the same thing," he said. "When Joe came out and said it, it took pressure off of everyone else who may have been thinking about it. For some, I'm sure it didn't stop them from saying whether I'd be here or not. I try not to even focus on that. The only thing I can really focus on is the present time. Anything that may happen later on down the road, it's really out of my control."
McNabb is scheduled to make $6.3 million next season, which isn't a cap-busting number in this era. He's shown in recent weeks that he's gotten healthier and looks more like the guy who led the Eagles to four straight NFC championship games from 2001-04.
The Eagles (7-8) aren't going to the playoffs, but they might be playing better than any team in the NFC right now after winning at Dallas and New Orleans.
If Philadelphia hopes to make a run next year, McNabb is the best option at quarterback. Backup A.J. Feeley proved he isn't the answer by throwing eight interceptions in 2½ games, including two crucial picks late in the fourth quarter that cost the Eagles consecutive games.
"I like the improvement he's made," Reid said about McNabb. "I think he's playing confident football. I think it's great for him to finish up the season that way. Like I said before, he's coming off an injury that he's been way ahead of the other cases that have had the same injury, production-wise. Just to carry that over in the offseason is a real positive for him."
McNabb has thrown for 2,979 yards, 18 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His passer rating of 89.5 is the third-highest in his nine-year career and his completion percentage of 60.6 is his second-highest.
"It's important for me to have Donovan back," Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook said. "I think he's done a great job these last few weeks just picking it up where he left off before. Of course, he's getting his mobility back and he's playing a lot better. He continues to be a leader in the locker room and on this team. He's someone that people on this team look to when they need help, as well as when they need to be productive in the game."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
If Lions lose to Kansas City, they will likely add to lowly lore
DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Lions raised hopes and expectations with a surprising 6-2 start.
Since then, they have collapsed with six straight losses and reverted to being regarded as the same-old Lions.
If Detroit doesn't stop its second-half slide Sunday at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, it will likely make NFL history. No team has won six of its first eight games, then finished 6-10.
Without a win against the Chiefs, that will likely be their final mark because the Lions close the season at Green Bay. They have not won on the Packers' home field since 1991, when Brett Favre was an Atlanta Falcons rookie.
Lowly lore, indeed.
"That can be motivating," guard Ed Mulitalo said. "Our focus is on this game and if we take care of it, we won't have to worry about that kind of stuff."
Not counting the strike-shortened season in 1982, the last team to start 6-2 and lose the rest of its games was the 1960 Baltimore Colts. The NFL began using 16-game schedules in 1978.
Second-year coach Rod Marinelli and his players have struggled to explain why they plummeted from the top of the wild-card race to out of the playoffs.
Some statistics define the slump.
Detroit has had the toughest schedule during the skid, with their opponents combining for a .643 winning percentage, after taking advantage of playing the fourth-easiest slate during the first half of the season.
When the Lions were 6-2, they led the NFL with 14 interceptions, 24 takeaways and 90 points off turnovers. Their plus-8 turnover margin trailed only New England and Indianapolis.
Since then, the Lions are tied for last in the league with two interceptions, tied for 20th with nine takeaways, and 29th with 10 points off turnovers and a minus-8 turnover margin.
Despite having a defensive-minded coach, who perhaps can't overcome team president Matt Millen's moves, Detroit has allowed an NFL-high 319 first downs, 32 touchdowns inside the red zone and a .459 conversion rate on third downs.
When the stakes were high for the first time for many Lions, they crumbled.
Detroit was an NFL-worst 24-72 from 2001-06 and its roster is filled with players that had no idea what it was like to play meaningful games in November and December.
"It's different when you have things to play for late in the season, certainly," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "The intensity level goes up. It's something you have to learn.
"It will be a learning process for us, if we go about it the right way mentally."
Kitna, with some fanfare, said before the season he would be disappointed if the Lions didn't win at least 10 games this year. His disappointment is sealed, but he is still setting goals.
"We still have an opportunity not to have a losing season," Kitna said in a somber tone. "Nobody wanted to hear that. You can't believe you're saying that, but the reality is that's where we're at."
To make matters worse, the Lions seemed to give up in their last game.
San Diego beat Detroit 51-14, making this team the first in franchise history to give up 50 points twice in a season and the first in the NFL since the 1980 Packers.
"It's inexcusable," said Marinelli, who has tried to take the blame for his team's collapse.
The Lions also were embarrassed at Washington and Philadelphia, losing 56-21 and 34-3 early in the season.
But for each of those setbacks, they had impressive wins over NFC North-leading Tampa Bay and Denver that made many think twice before cracking a cynical joke about the Lions.
Now, they need to win to avoid infamy and to distance themselves a little from the only stretch in NFL history that compares to their futility.
If Detroit loses out, it will have at least 10 losses in seven straight seasons -- all under Millen's leadership -- to hang around the Buccaneers for the unwanted distinction of worst franchise in NFL history over an extended period of time.
Tampa Bay had 12 seasons in a row with double-digit losses from 1983-94.
After playing for a spot in the playoffs, the Lions have to generate enough motivation to compete for pride and to avoid unflattering comparisons.
"It makes it that much harder because we were playing for something in December and now all of a sudden it's like taking the air out of a balloon," center Dominic Raiola said. "But as professionals, you got to find a way to come out and play and turn it back up, because Kansas City's still doing it.
"And we don't want to lose these fans. They have every right to come out and see their team perform. To go out there and lay an egg at home is unacceptable. We can't do that even though we're out of it and even though we're not playing for anything but ourselves right now."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Bucs signs Crockett, promotes Darby from practice squad
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shuffled their reserve running back situation on Wednesday, signing veteran Zack Crockett for the second time this season and promoting rookie Kenneth Darby from the practice squad.
The team also released running back Lionel Gates from the active roster. Tight end Zac Herold was signed to the practice squad.
Crockett initially signed with the Bucs on Oct. 10 after injuries to Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and Michael Pittman left the club without an experienced runner. He appeared in two games, carrying the ball once for no yards, before being released on Oct. 24.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Patriots-Ravens set ratings record
The Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night was the most-watched program in cable television history.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the game was seen by 17,522,000 viewers, surpassing "High School Musical 2" for the largest viewing audience ever.
The movie, seen on the Disney Channel on August 17, attracted 17,241,000 viewers.
The Patriots, who are the only undefeated team in the NFL, have been shattering viewing records throughout the season.
Two of New England's games account for the two highest-rated programs of any kind since the 2007-08 television season began on September 24.
On November 4, the Patriots' 24-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts - at the time, a battle of unbeatens - earned a 20.1 rating on CBS, which is the highest of any television program of any kind on any channel this season.
New England's 48-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on October 14 was the second highest-rated program of 2007-08. It earned an 18.0 national rating on CBS.
Copyright 2007 PA SportsTicker. All Rights Reserved
Haynesworth sits out but expected to practice Friday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sat out practice Thursday, a day after he had his most extensive workout since injuring his right hamstring three weeks ago.
Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said it was part of the plan for the six-year veteran's rehabilitation.
He was fine. I would expect him to practice tomorrow," Fisher said.
The Titans have allowed their three worst rushing games this season in his absence, and have lost each game without him. If Haynesworth, who was injured on Nov. 4, is able to play Sunday against Houston (5-6), he won't be limited to a certain number of snaps.
"If he comes back and he can play, he's going to play a good portion of the ballgame," Fisher said.
Defensive tackle Tony Brown (left knee) did not practice for a second straight day, given a day off to rest the knee. Fisher said Brown would practice Friday. Safety Chris Hope (back) also sat out a second straight day and remains day to day.
Right guard Benji Olson (back) did not practice but he worked his way into some activities early. He has missed two straight games since waking up with a sore back in Denver.
"We're working him back. We're not pushing him back too quickly, and his exercises are working," Fisher said. "He's feeling much better. We're not going to rush him back."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.
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