CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

SAN DIEGO  vs. NEW ENGLAND
(Sunday, CBS, 3:00 PM ET):

After a stunning upset last week over the Super Bowl XLI Champion Colts, the Chargers have some momentum going into this game. They showed off their passing game with WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson playing well. The Chargers had to overcome many injuries to win last week. Their top receiver, TE Antonio Gates played just a few snaps with a dislocated toe, league-leading RB LaDainian Tomlinson went out with a knee injury in the 2nd quarter and QB Philip Rivers came out of the game in the 3rd quarter with a knee injury. While LaDainian Tomlinson expects to be ready for the AFC Championship game, Gates and Rivers are questionable. If Rivers can’t play, backup QB Billy Volek would step in. Last week, Billy came in and took the Chargers down the field for a game-winning TD. Antonio Gates played with his injury against the Colts and made 2 receptions, but it will be up to TE Brandon Manumaleuna to provide some support. The big question is can the Chargers defense stop the Patriots from scoring. The Chargers stopped Peyton Manning twice last week in the final minutes to preserve the win, but they will need to be flawless in coverage and pressure QB Tom Brady. With LB Shawne Merriman and CB Antonio Cromartie anchoring the defense, the Chargers have a good chance to pull off another upset.

The Patriots won their 17th game in a row last week and are looking for number 18. QB Tom Brady was at his best in the Divisional Playoff, setting NFL records for most consecutive completions to start a game with 16 and for the highest completion percentage through a game at 92.9 percent. WR Randy Moss was held to just one catch for the entire game, but WRs Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney showed just how dangerous they could be, combining for 15 receptions. RB Laurence Maroney had a tremendous game, rushing for 122 yards. The Patriots have a lot of weapons and will hope outman the Charger “D.” The Patriots defense held the Jaguars tough running game to just 66 yards last week, but will face the league’s best RB in LT this week. Veteran LBs Junior Seau and Teddy Bruschi will try to help stop the Chargers from moving the ball.

Tune in to CBS on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET to see if the Chargers can work their magic and pull off another upset by beating the undefeated Patriots.

GREEN BAY  vs. NEW YORK
(Sunday, FOX, 6:30 PM ET):

The Giants upset the Cowboys in their Divisional Playoff match up last week and are looking for another win on the road in Green Bay. Normally, Lambeau Field gives the Packers a huge home-field advantage, but not when you look at the Giants. The Giants have only lost one game on the road this season and have since won 9 straight road games. QB Eli Manning has been playing very well through the last week of the season and the first 2 playoff games. In that time, he has thrown 12 TDs and only 1 interception. WR Amani Toomer has been spectacular in the playoffs and last week he scored 2 TDs. WR Plaxico Burress has drawn a lot of attention from defenses opening it up for other receivers, including Toomer and rookie WR Steve Smith, who has caught some key balls in the playoffs. With the cold conditions of Lambeau Field and a possibility of snow, the Giants running game is what will give them the best chance on offense. RBs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will need to pound out hard yards against the Packers. The Giants defense was the key to their playoff wins so far. With DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora on the pass rush, Brett Favre won’t have much time in the pocket. The extra factor for the Giants is their punter Jeff Feagles, who is averaging just over 40 yards per punt in the playoffs and last week pinned the Cowboys inside their own 20-yard line twice. With the Giants solid run game and tough defense, the Giants will be ready for the cold conditions in Green Bay.

he Packers showed some magic in their Divisional playoff match up. After giving up 2 TDs, the snow started to fall and Packers started to score. The Packers scored TDs on their next six possessions. QB Brett Favre was able to toss 3 TDs in the snowy mess, while RB Ryan Grant ran for a franchise playoff record 202 yards and 3 TDs. The Giants will have to watch out for WRs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver down the field and TE Donald Lee, who is a favorite target for Brett when he’s in trouble. When these teams played in Week 2, the Packers were able to win easily, 35-13, by throwing the ball down the field. The Packers defense is strong especially in pass coverage. With safety Atari Bigby (the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December), CB Charles Woodson and CB Al Harris, they make up one of the most dangerous secondaries in the Playoffs.

Tune in to FOX on Sunday at 6:30 PM EST to see if the Giants can handle the cold weather and beat the Packers in the snow at Lambeau.