I'd like to be bold and take the
Titans. But there's just no way I can make that pick. Tennessee is completely ravaged by injuries, specifically QB Vince Young, his top weapons in WRs Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones and TE Bo Scaife, and his offensive linemen Benji Olson and Kevin Mawae. San Diego is on a major tear right now, winners of six straight while forcing at least two turnovers, and holding their opponents to 17 or fewer points in each contest.
In their previous meeting, LaDainian Tomlinson ripped the solid
Titans rush defense to pieces following the departure of Defensive Player of the Year candidate Albert Haynesworth from the contest. LT totaled 26 carries for 146 yards that day, and has 792 and 8 TDs during the
Chargers six-game winning streak. For Tennessee to have any shot in this game, defensive tackle Haynesworth has to overcome his hamstring troubles and shore up a
Titans defense that gives up only 92.4 rushing yards per game (best in the NFL).
The
Chargers have been nothing short of choke-artists in the playoffs recently; they lost at home both last year to the underdog
Patriots and in 2004 to the underdog
Jets. Tomlinson score early, and often, building a big lead for San Diego and wearing down the
Titans defense in the process. Tennessee is so injury-depleted they have no shot at victory if they fall behind early. I think San Diego will win, maybe not in a total romp, but comfortably enough.
