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.

AFC championship game Patriots 21, Chargers 12 Pats hold off Chargers in frigid AFC title game Celizic: Super Bowl no gimme for Patriots Defense bends, doesn't break for Pats Rivers' right ACL was 'totally gone' L.T. fires back at Neon Deion's criticisms Expert: Brady demands perfection, gets it SN: Secret Service would love Pats' O-line   Slide show: Quarterbacks and their women Team pages:  Chargers  |  Patriots

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.