Patriots Beat Chargers 21-12: How the Offensive Line Demoralized the Chargers

Commentators and NFL analysts alike fully explored the impact an injured Ladainian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers would have on any chance of an upset versus the invincible Patriots, this Sunday, January 20, 2008. This analysis, although well and good was missing coverage of an under-represented, more important element that occurred in Sunday's game:

The Total Domination of the Patriots Offensive Line over the exhausted and forlorn Chargers Defense

The Patriots Offensive Line smashed the Charges defense into oblivion - virtually forcing the Thunderbolts to plead for mercy.

Let's take a look at the players behind the Patriot machine that give Tom Brady, a seemingly insurmountable amount of time to throw the ball as well as punishing blocks to opposing defenders.

In no particular order, the below Juggernauts blasted the San Diego Chargers into a state of pre-mortem malaise - begging for an end to the Laurence Maroney running machine that essentially ruled the third and fourth quarter of Sunday's AFC playoff game:

Left Tackle, Matt Light
TE, Ben Watson
Center Dan Koppen
Right Guard, Stephen Neal
Right Tackle Nick Kaczur

The onslaught of this crew was highlighted by Maroney's spinning ability for the following third quarter plays:

1) On a First and 10 at 8:36 in the third quarter, Maroney, with assistance, or shall I say Blasting of the Charger line busted San Diego up the middle for 18 yards.

2) Soon after, another Maroney run, anchored by the Pat Juggernauts saw him move the chains another 11 yards.

3) Two short runs followed these Line-Busters and propelled the Pats again for easy first downs

Granted, Brady threw a rare interception in the end zone, nevertheless, the toll the line and Maroney took on a tired Chargers defense was a foreshadowing of a predictable fourth quarter rushing rumblefest.

Seriously, after seeing the exhaustion on the part of the Chargers Defenders, one could observe Thunderbolt playoff hopes folding like a retired American flag with punctuation of this metaphor in the fourth quarter.

Specifically, this prayer manifested itself in a-"Please Stop the Bleeding" coaching decision when the brilliant Thunderbolt coaching staff decided to punt (9:21 in the Fourth Quarter) while on the Patriots 36 yard-line. The casual observer has to be asking, "why punt, when Brady could easily make up the yardage - considering the way Maroney was moving the offense?

San Diego, with an extra down, coupled with Rivers surprisingly good throwing throughout the game could have accomplished wonders in setting up a final Charger shot at the Red Zone. Why play so conservative so late and why give the ball to such a potent offense?

In summary, the Patriots after calling for a Fair Catch, again used the Maroney-Offensive Line Tandem to follow up with a 12-yard run, to commence the clock-eating process. San Diego coaches, seemed to lose the concept of Blitz usage, nor did they watch the Baltimore and N.Y Giants games -- and use the do or die, pressure Brady or else stategies, constantly giving Tom upwards to 5 seconds or more to throw the ball.

In response, the Pats figuratively shouted, "if it aint broke don't fix it" and effectively asked Maroney to end the game.

Maroney and the line answered the call with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter with consecutive Maroney runs for six, five, four, two and five-yard scampers.

Alas, Chargers, the Patriots kneeled and stopped the bleeding.