Chargers, Volek Show Why They Should Not Be Forgotten

The San Diego Chargers were the underdogs. But you have to remember, they had already beaten the Colts once this season, and this one time was when they picked Manning six times. And I know Vintiarei missed a short little field goal that might have won the game for the Colts with under a minute remaining, but with that given information, it should have been no surprise at all that the Chargers put up as much of a fight as they did, eventually beating the Colts 28-24 at the end of four quarters of play.

It seems as if Marvin Harrison had no business being in this game as he did not seem game ready, fumbling a ball after a catch and being rather limited.

But how about Peyton Manning? He threw for four hundred yards, but still couldn't win the game. Why? Because Harrison blew it. Because he got picked off twice. Because the San Diego Chargers had the Colts' number.

The Colts defense, by no stretch of the imagination blew this game for Indianapolis. The offense turned the ball over three times. And because of ridiculous penalty, one of the interceptions weren't returned for a touchdown.

And then there was QB Rivers and RB Tomlinson who both hurt themselves. So the punt returner, Sproles took a huge touchdown run off a screen pass in the 3rd quarter to give San Diego a lead. But then Peyton Manning drove downfield to give Indianapolis a lead.

So then you saw Billy Volek, ineffective as ever in his first drive for San Diego. But in his second drive, he seemed to have all the confidence in the world, driving downfield. And showing the football world why he was an NFL quarterback. Don't you remember Volek from the Titans? When he was even better than Steve McNair after the long-time Titan had gone down due to injury! He had a favourite target too, and his name was Derrick Mason in the 2004 season.

Volek never forgot how to play football. He was just never given a damn chance. And look at him now, on top of the world having upset the Indianapolis Colts, with a huge drive.

And Michael Turner? The most underrated runningback in the NFL because he is L.T.'s backup. He can run just as well as L.T. Or maybe the colts defense sucked. I doubt that, because Turner puts up great numbers every game in which he gets a few carries.

And lastly, Peyton Manning was given two drives to win the game for the Colts. But the San Diego defense had his number. And Dallas Clark couldn't hang on to the football. But that wasn't the real reason why. Especially in the second chance for Manning, the bone-crunching hit on Reggie Wayne probably sealed the deal.

The sound of that hit was incredible. And Wayne couldn't even hold on. Such an incredible hit. And it was also Manning's over-aggressiveness. Instead of going for first downs, he was going for 25 yard plays all the time. He had 2nd and 5, and then suddenly 4th and 5, and then four and out. Manning didn't understand, especially on the final drive that he had other recievers than Joesph Addai, the running back who he tried to throw to three times in a row close to the goal line!

Manning choked under pressure again in the playoffs, and unlike the 39 other times he'd come back to win on a 4th quarter drive, he couldn't make it 40. But he's won the big dance once, but once might be enough.

Billy Volek should forever cherish his moment, as I doubt he'll get one against the Patriots this Sunday. The honour belongs to Rivers, who has guided his team to 8 straight wins from 5-5 to 13-5. And they face the Patriots, winners of their last seventeen straight. A fitting matchup, is it not? The hottest teams face off.

It's not really surprising the Chargers won after all, because it seems like these days, they just can't lose, much like the patriots.

Especially with that axe over Norv Turner's head.

UNTIL NEXT SUNDAY WHEN THE CHARGERS MARCH INTO FOXBORO.