Compiled by Jonathan Kerber
Associated Press Writer
NFL matchups for the conference championships (times EST):
Sunday, Jan. 20
AFC
SAN DIEGO (11-5, 2-0) At NEW ENGLAND (16-0, 1-0)
3 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Patriots by 15.
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Chargers 12-5-1; Patriots 10-7.
SERIES RECORD – Patriots lead series 19-14-2.
PLAYOFF RECORD – Chargers 9-13; Patriots 20-12.
LAST MEETING – Patriots 38, Chargers 14, Sept. 16, 2007 at New England.
LAST WEEK – Chargers beat Colts 28-24; Patriots beat Jaguars 31-20.
CHARGERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (20), RUSH (7), PASS (26)
CHARGERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (16), PASS (14)
PATRIOTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (1), RUSH (13), PASS (1)
PATRIOTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (10), PASS (6)
Diego forced NFL-best 48 turnovers (30 INTs, 18 fumble recoveries) during regular season. Chargers are 12-1, including 2-0 in postseason, when recording an even or positive turnover differential. … LB Shawne Merriman has three sacks in three career meetings with Pats. … Patriots (47) and Chargers (42) were ranked one and two in AFC in sacks. … CB Antonio Cromartie, who led NFL with 10 INTs and 28 pass defenses in regular season, had INT last week. … At 10-1, Patriots have best home record in playoff history (minimum three games). … New England tries to make fourth Super Bowl in past seven years. … New England can become 12th team in NFL history with 10-0 home record. … Coach Bill Belichick has second-best postseason winning percentage (.824, 14-3), behind Vince Lombardi (.900, 9-1). … WR Randy Moss had temporary restraining order filed against him this week, after woman claimed he committed battery against her. Moss said allegations are false and woman made claim to get money from him. Moss, who broke NFL record with 23 TD receptions, had one catch for 14 yards last week, but 105 yards and two TDs in Week 2. … QB Tom Brady, who won MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, has never lost at home in postseason (7-0), throwing for 1,569 yards with 11 TDs and 93.0 passer rating. Brady completed 26 of 28 passes last week to set highest completion (92.9) percentage in postseason history and set another record when he started game 16-of-16. Last week, he threw three TDs and tied Dan Marino for second place on all-time postseason list with TD pass in 13 consecutive games. … RB Laurence Maroney (185 carries, 835 yards) has scored in four straight, with five TDs and 428 yards rushing in that span. His 122 yards rushing last week were third-highest total in New England playoff history. … WR Wes Welker (112 receptions, 1,175 yards) had nine catches last week and has 20 in last two games. … TE Benjamin Watson had two TD receptions against Jacksonville. … S Rodney Harrison has INT in four straight postseason games, tying Aeneas Williams for longest streak in playoff history. … Patriots have scored at least 20 points in 23 straight games. … Pats held Jacksonville, which averaged 149.4 yards on the ground per game, to 80 yards rushing last week.
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