So I'm a little more worried about the Chargers than I were about the Jaguars, but definitely relieved that the Colts are sitting at home, wondering how they didn't become a football dynasty despite having a top-3 coach, a top-2 QB, and the #1-rated defense in 2005 and 2007.
I think the Patriots will likely win this one, but it would be foolish to underestimate a Chargers team that a) is on a 9-game winning streak, b) can generate good pressure from their defensive front, and c) managed to make so many big plays against the Colts last week. They definitely have a shot, especially with the Patriots defense looking so sloppy.
I expect the Patriots to score somewhere in the neighborhood of 21-27 points. The big question is whether the Chargers will be able to top that number. If they do, it won't be because they methodically drive down the field (like the Jaguars did), it will be because they hit a number of big 20-30 yard plays to keep the score close and then get some good fortune to win at the end (just like they did against Indy). Should be an interesting game.
