The Chargers and the Ravens were the favorites, but instead, playoff veterans New England and Indianapolis prevailed in the Divisional Round, and now a tremendous matchup awaits in the AFC Championship Game when the Colts host the rival Patriots at 6:30 ET on CBS. New England has traditionally been a thorn in the side of Indianapolis, especially in the playoffs, often frustrating quarterback Peyton Manning into turnovers and mistakes. But the Colts have been a different team during the playoffs in 2007, relying not on Manning but on hard-hitting defense. New England will try to match the Colts' intensity and count on Tom Brady to lead them to yet another Super Bowl.
Patriots:
It wasn't one of Tom Brady's better games, but as is often is the case, especially in the playoffs, he rose to occasion when it matter most. Brady led the Patriots to 11 points in the final five minutes for a 24-21 win over the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoffs on Sunday, lifting New England into the AFC Championship Game. Former Chargers receiver Reche Caldwell caught a touchdown that helped the Patriots tie the score and had a 49-yard reception that set up Stephen Gostkowski's game-winning 31-yard field goal with 1:10 left, helping Brady offset his three interceptions. "That was as tough of a game as I can ever remember playing," Brady said. The Patriots will visit the Colts in the AFC title game on Sunday, Jan. 21.
Colts:
The Colts are winning like they did early in the 2005 season -- with field goals, ball-control offense and un-Colts-like defense -- and now they're one victory away from that elusive trip to the Super Bowl. The Colts had no touchdowns and only one trip to the red zone, but Adam Vinatieri kicked five field goals and the defense forced four turnovers in a 15-6 victory at Baltimore in an AFC divisional playoff. "We knew their defense was going to come out and put a lot of pressure on our offense, and we decided that we were going to pressure them, too," Colts safety Bob Sanders said. Both of Steve McNair's interceptions came in Colts territory, including Antoine Bethea's pick at the goal line in the second quarter. Indianapolis had only 261 total net yards to Baltimore's 244, but was way better in third-down situations (8-for-19 vs. 2-for-11). "We're just having fun," linebacker Cato June said. "It doesn't matter what anybody else says as long as we're playing fast, intense and together." The Colts will play in the AFC Championship Game at 6:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 21 at home against New England.
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