GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NFL: SAN DIEGO (1-0) at NEW ENGLAND (1-0)

NFL: SAN DIEGO (1-0) at NEW ENGLAND (1-0)

<h3>Chargers seek revenge against Patriots</h3>



San Diego (1-0) at New England (1-0) Sunday 8:15 pm EDT

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - LaDainian Tomlinson will havepayback on his mind when the San Diego Chargers and New EnglandPatriots meet Sunday night in a battle of AFC heavyweights.

Tomlinson enjoyed a magical 2006 campaign, setting asingle-season record with 31 touchdowns and leading the leaguewith 1,815 rushing yards en route to winning Most ValuablePlayer honors.


Despite all the accomplishments, Tomlinson's season failed toresult in a trip to the Super Bowl after the Chargers were upsetat home in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs by thePatriots.


Tomlinson rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns and caught twopasses for 64 yards in the 24-21 loss on January 14. TheChargers, who had the NFL's best record, squandered a 21-13fourth-quarter lead in a game they had dominated.


Nate Kaeding had a chance to send the game into overtime for theChargers, but missed a 54-yard field goal with three secondsremaining.


After Kaeding's miss, many of the Patriots flung their helmetsin the air and danced in the middle of the field to celebrate.

The Patriots' celebration incensed the normally reservedTomlinson, who refused to shake hands with several Patriotsafter the game.


"I would never, ever react in that way," Tomlinson said. "I'm avery classy person and I would not have reacted like that. Iwas very upset. When you go to the middle of our field and youstart doing the dance that (Chargers linebacker) Shawne Merrimanis known for, that's disrespectful. It showed no class at alland maybe that comes from their coach."


A two-time Super Bowl MVP, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady knewwhat he had to endure to beat the Chargers in that playoffcontest.


"That was as tough a game as I can remember playing," saidBrady, who completed 27-of-51 passes for 280 yards and twotouchdowns.


The Chargers were done in by mistakes as they committed fourturnovers. Philip Rivers also struggled, completing 14-of-32passes for 230 yards with an interception.


The playoff disappointment resulted in a coaching change for theChargers. Marty Schottenheimer was fired and replaced withNorv Turner.


Turner's debut on the sidelines was a success as the Chargersposted a 14-3 win over Chicago in their season opener lastSunday.


Tomlinson was contained by an aggressive Chicago defense,rushing for just 25 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. But healso made an impact elsewhere, throwing a 17-yard touchdown passto Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates in the third quarter togive the Chargers a 7-3 lead. Gates finished with ninereceptions for 107 yards.


After beating San Diego last January, New England was deniedanother Super Bowl trip after losing to Indianapolis in thechampionship game.


The Patriots retooled in the offseason, bringing in widereceivers Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker andlinebacker Adalius Thomas.


All the offensive firepower was on display in the season openeras the Patriots rolled to a 38-14 victory over the New YorkJets.


Seemingly motivated again, Moss looked liked the perennial ProBowler he used to be. He caught nine passes for 183 yards and atouchdown.


Welker also got into the act, catching six passes for 61 yardsand a score.


Brady, who rarely was pressured, dissected the Jets to complete22-of-28 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

In their last visit here in 2005, the Chargers ended thePatriots' 21-game home winning streak with a dominating 41-17win. Tomlinson rushed for two touchdowns and Gates had sixreceptions for 108 yards.

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 0 14:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 0 14:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR

NWE BALL ON NWE 31 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL TD NWE
BENJAMIN WATSON 7 YD PASS FROM TOM BRADY
(STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK)

SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 12:14 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 12:14 LEFT, 1ST QTR

SDG BALL ON SDG 20 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 12:08 LEFT, 1ST QTR

NWE BALL ON SDG 24 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL

SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 11:18 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 11:18 LEFT, 1ST QTR

SDG BALL ON SDG 31 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 7 9:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR

NWE BALL ON NWE 25 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL TD NWE
RANDY MOSS 23 YD PASS FROM TOM BRADY
(STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK)

SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 14 3:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL SAN DIEGO AT NEW ENGLAND
NOTE: SAN DIEGO OL SHANE OLIVEA LEFT THE GAME WITH 11
MINUTES LEFT IN THE 1ST QUARTER WITH A BACK
INJURY. HIS RETURN IS QUESTIONABLE.</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 14 3:49 LEFT, 1ST QTR

SDG BALL ON SDG 31 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 14 0:36 LEFT, 1ST QTR

NWE BALL ON NWE 44 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SAN DIEGO 0 0
NEW ENGLAND 14 14 END, 1ST QTR

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER: NWE - TD, BENJAMIN WATSON 7 YD PASS FROM TOM
BRADY (STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK),
2:46. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards in
2:46. Key plays: T. Brady 34-yard
pass to Welker to San Diego 7. NEW
ENGLAND 7-0
NWE - TD, RANDY MOSS 23 YD PASS FROM TOM
BRADY (STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK),
11:05. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards in
5:58. Key plays: T Brady 11-yard
pass to Welker to New England 43; T
Brady 10-yard pass to Moss to San
Diego 45; T Brady 15-yard pass to
Welker to San Diego 15. NEW ENGLAND
14-0</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 14 12:18 LEFT, 2ND QTR

NWE BALL ON SDG 15 YD LINE
3RD AND 2</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL FG NWE
STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI 24 YD

SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 17 10:01 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 17 9:56 LEFT, 2ND QTR

SDG BALL ON SDG 30 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 17 8:07 LEFT, 2ND QTR

NWE BALL ON NWE 20 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL TD NWE
ADALIUS THOMAS 65 YD INTERCEPTION RETURN
(STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK)

SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 24 5:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: SAN DIEGO at NEW ENGLAND

<div class="pre">NFL
SAN DIEGO 0
NEW ENGLAND 24 5:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR

SDG BALL ON SDG 28 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>