Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Arab League wants UN peacekeepers in Syria

Chargers have one thing in their favor: revenge

Bitter memories of last season’s playoff loss to N.E. motivating San Diego

Image: Kevin Faulk of the New England PatriotsGetty Images
New England’s Kevin Faulk celebrates after scoring on a 2-point conversion to tie the game against San Diego during last season’s AFC divisional playoffs. The Chargers just may have something that they can tangibly use against the Patriots this week: the revenge factor.

Bill Williamson
The San Diego Chargers just may have something that they can tangibly use against the New England Patriots this week in a game in which the visitors desperately need something to hang onto.

They have the revenge factor. And it’s real.

Yes, San Diego is still smarting over the Patriots dancing on their home field last January after upsetting the No. 1 seeded Chargers in the AFC divisional playoffs. Who can forget an impassioned LaDainian Tomlinson yelling at the Patriots on the field, seconds after his team’s Super Bowl hopes were dashed?

It was 53 weeks ago, but it still burns.

No other team that has faced, and fallen, to New England in this 17-round massacre has anything this real to sink their teeth into like the Chargers. Sure, the Jets had “SpyGate.” But you got the feeling that the Jets players were sheepish about the whole ordeal. By the time the two teams met again in December, the Jets were counting their draft order and not exactly on the hunt for some sweet, sweet revenge.

Other teams have certainly tried to stir their own pot by directing some heat toward New England. But it was manufactured stuff like Steeler Anthony Smith’s lame guarantee or Jaguar Paul Spicer’s “SpyGate” cracks last week. These were just made-for-TV bear poking expeditions that didn’t have any steam ... and did not work.

What the Chargers have is real. They hate the Patriots with real cause. They are legitimately mad.

Thus, the Chargers will run onto the field Sunday not on the heels of any silly guarantees or hollow words. They have true hard feelings on their side as they attempt to knock off New England and send themselves to the Super Bowl.

Could it work? Well, who knows, but the banged up Chargers need something on their side and revenge is as good as it gets.

Even in the immediate afterglow of a stirring, unlikely win at Indianapolis on Sunday, San Diego players had a glisten in their eyes talking about the chance to finally crack the Patriots in the mouth.

“I’m excited,” tight end Antonio Gates said. “It’s going to be fun. We’ve been looking forward to this.”

Added Vincent Jackson, who is developing into a true No. 1 receiver: “We’ve been waiting for this one. We want another crack.”

Leave it to intense defensive tackle Igor Olshansky to dig deeper.


advertisement
More news
Image: Gerald Sensabaugh, Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, DeSean Jackson
AP
Offseason needs for NFC teams

Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.

Image: Wild Card Playoffs - Pittsburgh Steelers v Denver Broncos
Getty Images
Wesseling: Offseason priorities for AFC teams

Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.

Slideshow
Image: Super Bowl XLVI
  Super Bowl XLVI shots
See the best moments before, during and after the Giants' win over the Patriots

more photos

Slideshow
Image:
  Sideline support
Check out some of the NFL cheerleaders from across the league.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos