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| SCOUTING REPORT |
Chargers need to rely on LT and take pressure off RiversSan Diego's Week 14 overtime win over Tennessee may have set the stage for a physical rematch in the playoffs. There is bad blood between these two teams from the first meeting after San Diego OLB Shawne Merriman said Titans coach Jeff Fisher ordered his players to deliberately take Merriman out of the game. Merriman suffered a knee injury in that game and will be looking for revenge.
This game features the best RB in the league, LaDainian Tomlinson, versus the Titans' fifth-ranked defense. Who will play QB this week for the Titans? Starter Vince Young reinjured his quad Sunday night and was replaced by Kerry Collins, who was effective off the bench. Will Young be able to play effectively despite potentially missing some valuable practice time? This game will also feature a somewhat-underachieving San Diego offensive line versus a Tennessee defensive line that is among the best and most underrated units in the NFL. |
· Full Scouting Report
|
| Matchup |
| | W-L | PF | PA | HOME | ROAD | DIV | CONF |
| TEN | 0-1 | 6 | 17 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 |
| SDG | 2-1 | 57 | 51 | 1-0 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| · Complete Standings |
| | San Diego Passing | | | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | | Rivers | 63.2 | 2621 | 17 | 6 |
|
| Tennessee Receiving | | | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | | Britt | 22 | 351 | 16.0 | 0 | | Gage | 22 | 302 | 13.7 | 1 |
| |
| TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS |
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Total Yards | TEN | 312.0 |
| SDG | 315.0 |
| Yards Passing | TEN | 179.9 |
| SDG | 187.8 |
| Yards Rushing | TEN | 131.8 |
| SDG | 127.4 |
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | TEN | 291.6 |
| SDG | 320.3 |
| Pass Yds Allowed | TEN | 199.2 |
| SDG | 213.3 |
| Rush Yds Allowed | TEN | 92.4 |
| SDG | 107.0 |
| HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001) |
| San Diego leads 4-0 |
| Dec 9, 2007 | TEN 17, @SDG 23 |
| Sep 17, 2006 | TEN 7, SDG 40 |
| Oct 3, 2004 | TEN 17, SDG 38 |
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SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Vince Young's right quadriceps felt good enough Sunday to allow him to become the youngest Tennessee quarterback to start a playoff game.
Young spent about 20 minutes on the field stretching, running and throwing passes before the Titans' AFC wild-card game against the San Diego Chargers to test the right thigh he hurt a week ago in a 16-10 win at Indianapolis.
Young is making his playoff debut at 24 years, 233 days, topping Gifford Nielsen's franchise mark. Nielsen was 25 years, 65 days old when he started for the then-Houston Oilers on Dec. 29, 1979, against the Chargers.
Nielsen won that day, with help from five interceptions by the defense. But Young was set to start behind an offensive line featuring five players starting their first postseason game as well.
The Titans deactivated veteran center Kevin Mawae because of an injured left calf that kept him out of his third straight game, and right guard Benji Olson stayed home with his back bothering him. Eugene Amano replaced Mawae, with Daniel Loper starting for Olson.
The Titans planned to start veteran receiver Eric Moulds in place of Roydell Williams, who broke his right ankle in practice earlier this week. They placed Williams on injured reserve and promoted offensive lineman Mike Otto to the roster.
Also inactive for Tennessee were: receivers Mike Williams and Paul Williams, fullback Casey Cramer, linebacker Jorge Cordova and defensive ends Bryce Fisher and Sean Conover.
The much healthier Chargers deactivated fullback Lorenzo Neal, who broke his leg when these teams met Dec. 9, and linebacker Marques Harris (hand). Also inactive were: cornerback Paul Oliver, linebacker Anthony Waters, receiver Malcom Floyd and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney. Charlie Whitehurst was designated as the third quarterback for San Diego.
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