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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

..:: News in the west ::..

Denver Broncos

Bucs' Morris latest candidate meet with Broncos (AP)
Raheem Morris' interviewing skills could make his promotion to defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay a moot point. The Buccaneers' 32-year-old secondary coach and defensive whiz moved up his interview 48 hours and met with the Denver Broncos about their coaching vacancy Monday. He's the third candidate to speak with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who stunned the NFL last week by firing Mike Shanahan after...

10-Pack: Jump on the NFL coaching carousel (SportingNews.com)
This week, instead of taking a look at 10 story lines regarding the games that were played over the weekend,...

Broncos Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Owner Pat Bowlen has wasted no time meeting with a slew of potential replacements for fired coach Mike Shanahan. After traveling to meet with Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels over the weekend, Bowlen met with Bucs defensive coordinator Raheem Morris on Monday. The 32-year-old Morris was Tampa Bay's secondary coach, but is slate to replace departed Monte Kiffin. Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and former Shanahan assistant Rick Dennison are scheduled to meet with Bowlen on Tuesday. Bowlen said he'll search for a new general manager after hiring the coach. Shanahan, the author of two Super Bowl wins, oversaw everything in the organization.

Pioli to talk to Chiefs; Broncos speak to Morris (AP)
Scott Pioli has become a hot commodity among a few teams hoping to rebuild. Pioli, one of the architects behind New England's three Super Bowl victories, is talking to Kansas City about its vacant general manager's job. He has also been courted by Cleveland for its GM position. The 43-year-old Pioli was scheduled to meet with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on Monday, according to persons with knowledge of...

Broncos LB Williams needs surgery (PA SportsTicker)
Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams will need shoulder surgery this offseason, according to a report Monday by the Denver Post.

Broncos will interview Morris, Garrett, Dennison (Yahoo! Sports)
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, along with Joe Ellis, the Broncos' chief operating officer, and the...

Pats' McDaniels to meet with Broncos Sunday (Yahoo! Sports)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their...

Denver package deal: Giants' Spagnuolo, Eagles' Heckert (Yahoo! Sports)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo met Thursday with representatives from the Cleveland...

Broncos to start search for Shanahan's successor (AP)
Pat Bowlen's search for Mike Shanahan's successor begins Saturday with a trip to the East Coast. Bowlen and chief operating officer Joe Ellis will meet in New York with Steve Spagnuolo, who has been the Giants' defensive coordinator the past two seasons. The 49-year-old Spagnuolo was the architect of the pass rush that stymied Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in last year's Super Bowl, and...

Stoops might have interest Broncos, but should he? (Yahoo! Sports)
If Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma Sooners upset top-ranked Florida for the national title. Perhaps then Stoops would...

Jets will contact Shanahan about coaching vacancy (Yahoo! Sports)
The New York Jets plan to contact former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to a person with...

Buccaneers, Gruden rebuilding coaching staff (Yahoo! Sports)
Change is underway with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' coaching staff, as assistant head coach Larry Coyer and the...

Is 1 more comeback in store for Elway? (AP)
The Denver Broncos are a team in need of a comeback. No surprise, then, that John Elway's name keeps popping up. The Hall of Fame quarterback has been mentioned as a possible part of the management team that replaces Mike Shanahan, who was terminated as coach and executive vice president of football operations.

In need of change, owner says bye to BFF Shanahan (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12duona47/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-broncosshakeup&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081231/thumb.de83d6ca31054fb4a3b83f4921347a7a.broncos_shakeup_football_codz107.jpg" width="129" height="89" alt="Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen talks about the termination of head coach Mike Shanahan during a football news conference at the team's headquarters in Denver on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. " align="left" border="0"></a>They were best friends as much as employee and boss. Nothing told that story better than the tears in the eyes of Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan as they talked about their sad farewell. "This is as tough as it gets," Bowlen said Wednesday, his eyes moist, as he explained his day-old decision to fire the coach who finally brought the Super Bowl trophy to Denver. 

Shanahan on firing 'We didn't win' (PA SportsTicker)
Mike Shanahan might not have agreed with the decision, but on Wednesday he said he understood why he was dumped as coach of the Denver Broncos 24 hours earlier.

12 Questions: Tomlinson's redemption shot (Yahoo! Sports)
The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson gets a chance to prove he hasn't lost a step – but he isn't healthy.

Shanahan fired as Broncos coach (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12c49n3vc/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-shanahanfired&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081230/thumb.43c282246a674a50a0ec27a86b7ed411.broncos_shanahan_fired_football_ny162.jpg" width="102" height="130" alt="In this Jan. 31, 1999 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, right, and head coach Mike Shanahan laugh on the victory stand following their 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami. Shanahan, the second longest-tenured NFL coach, was fired by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, after the team lost a three-game lead with three games to go in the AFC West. " align="left" border="0"></a>Over the past few years, Mike Shanahan, the vice president of football operations, didn't do Mike Shanahan, the coach, any favors. In the end, both got fired. The Denver Broncos parted ways with Shanahan on Tuesday following a late-season fizzle that knocked the team out of the postseason for a third straight season. 

Case for Shanahan sporting a Cowboys hat (Yahoo! Sports)
The Cowboys' Jerry Jones is adamant about keeping Wade Phillips. But Mike Shanahan should change his mind.

Broncos fire icon Shanahan; are Gruden and Lewis next? (SportingNews.com)
Winning back-to-back Super Bowl championships puts a man in an exclusive fraternity, but it doesn't guarantee...

As teams search for coaches, Shanahan joins list (AP)
NFL teams searching for coaches saw a big name stunningly burst onto their radar screens. The Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan, the league's second-longest tenured coach, on Tuesday after 14 seasons that included Super Bowl titles in 1998 and '99. But the Broncos blew a three-game lead in their division with three games to go this season to miss the playoffs.

Stunner: Denver Broncos fire Mike Shanahan (Yahoo! Sports)
If you thought the Jets firing Eric Mangini was a surprise , then you better be sitting for this one: The...

This isn't the history the Broncos wanted to make (AP)
Despite a broken backfield, the worst injury epidemic in franchise history and a dreadful defense, the Denver Broncos never once trailed in the AFC West in 2008. Not that it matters. It's the San Diego Chargers who are preparing for the playoffs as division champs while the Broncos try to decipher how they became the first team in NFL history to blow a three-game lead with three games to go.

Which NFL team choked the worst? (Yahoo! Sports)
Because the Cowboys are the Cowboys, the media will claim that their implosion was the biggest choke job of the...

Jay Cutler doesn't believe in the Chargers or the Broncos defense (Yahoo! Sports)
Al Michaels and John Madden made note of Jay Cutler's free-flowing honesty last night during the broadcast of...

The Chargers: For real or frauds? (Yahoo! Sports)
San Diego crushed Denver, but the Chargers' 0-5 record against playoff-bound teams prompts discussion.

Bolts buck Broncos to claim mild, mild AFC West (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11t30kl6s/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20081228024&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081229/thumb.ee6ef2cc2c904f3ca3532a0e6715e721.broncos_chargers_football_cacl107.jpg" width="130" height="85" alt="Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, right, watches the scoreboard alongside teammate Ryan Clady, left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday Dec. 28, 2008 in San Diego. San Diego won the game 52-21. " align="left" border="0"></a>The mild, mild AFC West belongs to LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and the rest of the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers won their third straight division title by finishing 8-8, becoming the first team to go from 4-8 to the playoffs by routing the Denver Broncos 52-21 in the Ed Hochuli Bowl on Sunday night. 

Winners and losers: McNabb, Reid stay alive (Yahoo! Sports)
Written off after a blowout loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid aren't quite done in Philly.

Broncos CB Bailey returns to game (PA SportsTicker)
Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey left Sunday's pivotal AFC West showdown with the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter with a left elbow injury.

NFL's final weekend offers plenty of excitement (SportingNews.com)
If you crave excitement, you could read a James Patterson novel, drive on a Chicago expressway any time day or...

News around the league

Welcome to your new home for news around the AFC West. Come here to get all the up-to-date news about the other teams in the AFC West. Keep up with all the news about the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and the San Diego Chargers. This is all the latest news for those NFL AFC West Football Teams. I hope you enjoy this new service from Chiefstalk.com. Your Kansas City Chiefs fan home.

Oakland Raiders

10-Pack: Jump on the NFL coaching carousel (SportingNews.com)
This week, instead of taking a look at 10 story lines regarding the games that were played over the weekend,...

Raiders Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
When it comes to the Raiders, the postseason is essentially the green flag for another coaching search. Interim coach Tom Cable led the Raiders to impressive victories in the final two games of the season—the first time that has happened since they won the AFC championship in 2002. Reports are circulating about coaches owner Al Davis is reportedly interested in hiring. Cable's name was included, but others included: •  Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who interviewed by phone on Saturday. The Raiders can't talk to him again until after the Giants' season is over, and Gilbride is considered a long shot for the job. •  Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, a former Raiders assistant under Bill Callahan in 1993...

Davis, Raiders not 'officially' interested in Gilbride (Yahoo! Sports)
The Oakland Raiders on Sunday confirmed that managing general partner Al Davis spoke with New York Giants...

Don't be surprised if Cable ends up keeping job in Oakland (Yahoo! Sports)
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, fans of the Oakland Raiders should not be stunned if interim coach...

Raiders talk with Gilbride about coaching opening (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12l5n4j9m/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-raiders-coachingsearch&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090105/thumb.c7abab8d011c486d9b3158aa4f602b5d.raiders_coaching_search_football_ny150.jpg" width="102" height="129" alt="In this Dec. 30, 2006, file photo, Kevin Gilbride, then quarterbacks coach of the New York Giants, watches as the players warm up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had a 90-minute phone conversation Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, with Gilbride, now the Giants' offensive coordinator, about the team's coaching vacancy, according to Raiders senior executive John Herrera. " align="left" border="0"></a>Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had a 90-minute phone conversation with New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride about the team's coaching vacancy. The two spoke Saturday after Gilbride had expressed interest in the job through his agent, Raiders senior executive John Herrera said Sunday. Gilbride is the first outside candidate to talk to Davis about the job. 

Davis still deciding fate of Cable in Oakland (Yahoo! Sports)
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is deciding whether to remove the interim tag and make Tom Cable the permanent...

As teams search for coaches, Shanahan joins list (AP)
NFL teams searching for coaches saw a big name stunningly burst onto their radar screens. The Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan, the league's second-longest tenured coach, on Tuesday after 14 seasons that included Super Bowl titles in 1998 and '99. But the Broncos blew a three-game lead in their division with three games to go this season to miss the playoffs.

Raiders begin search for new coach (PA SportsTicker)
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis will begin interviewing candidates for the team's vacant coaching position this week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Giants' Spagnuolo, Gilbride are in demand (Yahoo! Sports)
The New York Giants were able to keep their entire coaching staff together after winning the Super Bowl last...

Cable, Raiders head into offseason on winning note (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12d56h5l9/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-raiders-wrapup&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081229/thumb.c576d53dfa6745e083b8c3ea42874a32.raiders_wrapup_football_caps103.jpg" width="130" height="83" alt="Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable gestures during a post season football news conference at Raiders headquarters in Alameda, Calif., Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. " align="left" border="0"></a>The last time the Oakland Raiders went into the offseason on a winning note, they ended up claiming division titles the next three seasons. Interim head coach Tom Cable believes the team is again in position to do that and is hoping owner Al Davis will take away the interim label and let him lead the team in 2009. 

Which NFL team choked the worst? (Yahoo! Sports)
Because the Cowboys are the Cowboys, the media will claim that their implosion was the biggest choke job of the...

’08 NFL stories: A Giant year (Yahoo! Sports)
A Patriots' perfect season likely would have topped the list had the Giants not gotten in the way.

Winners and losers: McNabb, Reid stay alive (Yahoo! Sports)
Written off after a blowout loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid aren't quite done in Philly.

NFL Today, Week 17 (AP)
STARS Passing -- Drew Brees, Saints, threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns in New Orleans' 33-31 loss to Carolina. -- Matt Schaub, Texans, had 328 yards and two touchdowns in Houston's 31-24 win over Chicago. -- Aaron Rodgers, Packers, threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay's 31-21 win over Detroit.

Roethlisberger expected to play in postseason (AP)
The Steelers endured the nightmare of every NFL team that has clinched its playoff positioning: watching a star player go down with an injury. Pittsburgh seems to have escaped the worst-case scenario, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to be ready for the postseason after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's rout of the Cleveland Browns.

Raiders ruin Buccaneers' playoff hopes, 31-24 (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11t08deto/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20081228027&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081228/thumb.a4efaac2ccfd4b40ac981b691e18c437.raiders_buccaneers_football_tps118.jpg" width="103" height="130" alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia looks to pass against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. Garcia completed 17 of 33 passes for 257 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the 31-24 loss to the Raiders. " align="left" border="0"></a>Warrick Dunn stared straight ahead, searching for words to explain how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers let a promising season slip away with a December swoon that left them out of the playoffs. "There's disbelief. There's shock. There's emotions, I'm sure, that I can't really describe," the veteran running back said Sunday after the team's fourth consecutive loss, 31-24 to the Oakland Raiders, completed... 

Raiders' Asomugha inactive against Bucs (AP)
Oakland Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was inactive for Sunday's season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after not practicing during the week because of a neck injury. The Raiders had listed him as questionable. Stanford Routt replaced the sixth-year pro in the starting lineup. Oakland's other inactives were receiver Ronald Curry, running backs Louis Rankin and Marcel Reece, defensive...

Raiders owner Davis fails to make trip to Tampa (PA SportsTicker)
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who has not missed a game since 1979, will not be on hand to watch Sunday's season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Struggling Bucs will need help to make playoffs (AP)
Coach Jon Gruden forced a smile, noting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need some cooperation from a couple of his former employers to ensure another trip to the playoffs. To get in, the Bucs (9-6) not only have to defeat the Oakland Raiders in Sunday's regular-season finale, but also need the Philadelphia Eagles to beat or tie the Dallas Cowboys later in the day.

NFL's final weekend offers plenty of excitement (SportingNews.com)
If you crave excitement, you could read a James Patterson novel, drive on a Chicago expressway any time day or...

Russell showing signs of improvement (AP)
JaMarcus Russell dropped back to pass, read the defense and then found Chaz Schilens with a fade in the corner of the end zone against man coverage. That play in last week's victory over Houston was just what the Oakland Raiders expected from Russell when they drafted him No. 1 overall in 2007 and what has often been lacking for much of his first full season as a starter.

Intrigue, relevance stick through final weekend (Yahoo! Sports)
From the Lions trying to avoid history to several teams hoping to make the playoffs, the league keeps fans engaged.

In Oakland, Russell is starting to 'get it' (Yahoo! Sports)
Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was drafted to save the franchise from its misery.

Week 17 NFL picks: Watch out for reenergized Chargers (SportingNews.com)
The San Diego Chargers have proved they have an electric offense, led by quarterback Philip Rivers.

Coaching hot seat: Haslett done, Turner back? (Yahoo! Sports)
Jim Haslett and Norv Turner are among the coaches who soon should learn of their fate.

Titans help prove draft grades are bogus (Yahoo! Sports)
Players who got low grades by "sudden" college football experts in April are turning heads in Tennessee.

Cable lobbies for Raiders job (AP)
Oakland Raiders interim coach Tom Cable lobbied for the full-time job Monday, saying that stability at the head coaching position would help the team make it back to the postseason. "I don't think there's any question. In order for it to move forward and be a playoff team next year, which I believe it will be, hopefully things will go in the right direction that way," Cable said.

This is why you don't throw snowballs at Shaun Ellis (Yahoo! Sports)
If a guy can get fined $7,500 for giving fans the middle finger , one has to wonder how much it'll cost Shaun...

Raiders likely to slap Asomugha with franchise tag (Yahoo! Sports)
Nnamdi Asomugha. Shane Lechler. One or the other. Take your pick. Can't have both. Both players are Pro Bowl...

NFL on Fox

NFL on FOX: Pittsburgh has the advantage
A trip to Pittsburgh in January is no picnic. And with a banged-up LT? The NFL on FOX crew doesn't like San Diego's chances.

This is no reward for being No. 1
The G-Men took the No. 1 seed in the NFC and what do they get? A date with the red-hot Eagles. Some reward, says Kevin Hench.

Prospects for first-round losers mixed
The Vikes came up short Sunday, but Alex Marvez likes their chances in 2009. See how he feels about the other first-round losers.

Second guesses: 'Fins' flop not surprising
Chad Pennington and Miami flopped on Sunday, which is what happens when you finally play a good team, our NFL Czar says.

L.T. could be sidelined Sunday by 'toughest' injury
There was the strained groin in 2004, the lingering rib injury in 2005, a jaw injury in 2006, the knee injury in last year's playoffs and then his jammed right big toe earlier this season. Now there's the groin injury that's dogging LaDainian Tomlinson to the point that he might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The star running back isn't sure if a week's worth of treatment and rest is going to be enough to allow him to play. "I don't know.

Boldin has strained hamstring; status uncertain
Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin has a strained left hamstring and his status is uncertain for Saturday night's NFC divisional playoff game at Carolina. "We'll see how it goes this week," coach Ken Whisenhunt said at his Monday news conference. Boldin was injured on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the second quarter of Arizona's 30-24 wild-card playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday. He returned to play one more series, then limped off the field for good.

Steelers' Harrison named defensive player of year
James Harrison, the best player on the NFL's best defense, has won The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award. The linebacker who had a career-high 16 sacks, setting a team record, and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced Monday.

Packers fire coordinator Sanders, 5 other coaches
The Green Bay Packers have cleaned house, releasing defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and five other assistant coaches. Also let go Monday were: defensive ends coach Carl Hairston, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn, secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, nickel package/cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington and strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson. Linebackers coach Winston Moss is the only major defensive coach to keep his job.

Report: Pats' Pioli to meet with Chiefs
Scott Pioli has become a hot commodity among a few teams hoping to rebuild.

San Diego Charges

Chargers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The bounce-back Chargers are set to rebound from another regular-season defeat. They did Saturday when revenging an earlier loss to the Colts but eliminating them from the playoffs. Come Sunday, they get another shot when facing the Steelers at Heinz Field. Back in November, the Steelers defeated the visiting Chargers, 11-10. But the Chargers feel good about their chances come Sunday. It seems like they are playing with house money after starting 4-8 and now ending up four quarters shy of their second straight AFC Championship Game. "Resiliency is a short-term and long-term thing," coach Norv Turner said. "It's been a week-to-week thing. We had a tough loss to Pittsburgh.

Chargers RB Tomlinson cautious about injury (PA SportsTicker)
San Diego Chargers star running back LaDainian Tomlinson isn't sure if a week's worth of treatment and rest will be the cure for what ails him.

L.T. could be sidelined Sunday by 'tough' injury (AP)
There was the strained groin in 2004, the lingering rib injury in 2005, a jaw injury in 2006, the knee injury in last year's playoffs and then his jammed right big toe earlier this season. Now there's the groin injury that's dogging LaDainian Tomlinson to the point that he might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Chargers' Bennett, former teammate sued in Fla. (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12a0dp541/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-ihoplawsuit&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090105/thumb.665f7ca475874ab4b0636e77072a88b0.ihop_lawsuit_football__ny174.jpg" width="130" height="109" alt="This 2008 season image provided by the NFL show, San Diego Chargers running back Michael Bennett, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Anthony Davis. A Florida man is suing Bennett and Davis, saying they attacked him at an International House of Pancakes. Brian Gordon says Bennett, offensive lineman Anthony Davis and another man assaulted him in the restaurant parking lot in Tampa on Oct. 13. Gordon is also suing the restaurant chain, saying there wasn't adequate security. " align="left" border="0"></a>A Florida man is suing San Diego Chargers running back Michael Bennett and a former Tampa Bay teammate, saying they attacked him at an International House of Pancakes. Brian Gordon said in a lawsuit that Bennett, offensive lineman Anthony Davis and another man assaulted him in the restaurant parking lot in Tampa on Oct. 

Chargers, Steelers in rematch of bizarre game (AP)
The finish to the Chargers-Steelers game was strange enough, with the first 11-10 score in NFL history and Troy Polamalu stripped of a last-play defensive touchdown by an officiating error. This may be even stranger: The Chargers, 4-8 with a month left in the season, are returning to Pittsburgh for a rematch in an AFC divisional playoff game Sunday.

Chargers coordinator Rivera to hold off on coaching interviews (PA SportsTicker)
Ron Rivera will wait until the San Diego Chargers' season is officially over before possibly hopping on the coaching carousel.

Roethlisberger returns to practice, will play Sunday (Yahoo! Sports)
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said today he passed his final post-concussion test and will play on Sunday when...

Why is the worst divisional playoff matchup on in primetime? (Yahoo! Sports)
Of the four divisional playoff games this weekend, the Arizona Cardinals - Carolina Panthers matchup is easily...

And now, all the home teams are favored (Yahoo! Sports)
After a wild card weekend in which all the home teams were underdogs (and went 2-2), we'll head into divisional...

Chargers will have to make history without Tomlinson (Yahoo! Sports)
As they seek to avenge an earlier loss to the Pittsburgh Steeelers, the San DIego Chargers will try on Sunday...

'Hot and healthy' flies out the playoff window (Yahoo! Sports)
The Cardinals and Chargers proved that regular-season marks and what we think we know can be irrelevant.

Wild card weekend's five most valuable people (Yahoo! Sports)
Honorable Mention: Matt Millen . I don't know that Matt Millen actually deserves an award, but it's got to be a...

Wild card weekend's five least valuable people (Yahoo! Sports)
Honorable Mention: 3conomics . I don't get the commercials, Wendy's. I know that you have three sandwiches that...

Turner: L.T. not worse but not better, either (AP)
With LaDainian Tomlinson perhaps hurt worse than the team is letting on and Darren Sproles sore from all the running he did in a thrilling wild-card win, the San Diego Chargers turned their thoughts toward the weather and the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. The Chargers finally jumped above .500 and earned a rematch against the Steelers by outlasting Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 23-17...

Colts-Chargers ties mark for overnight rating (AP)
The San Diego Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts tied the mark for the best overnight rating for a Saturday wild-card game since 1999. The game earned an 18.3 overnight rating and a 30 share on NBC, the network said Sunday. That equaled the 2003 Atlanta-Green Bay game for the highest mark for a Saturday wild-card playoff since 1999, when the Arizona-Dallas matchup received...

Ed Hochuli gets a playoff assignment from the NFL (Yahoo! Sports)
Ed Hochuli's reward for altering the course of the San Diego Chargers ' season was a coveted playoff...

Supporting cast thrives in Tomlinson's absence (PA SportsTicker)
As LaDainian Tomlinson stood on the sidelines, helmet off, watching for most of Saturday night's game, it had to be a little bit of deja vu for San Diego Chargers fans after last year's AFC Championship game loss to the New England Patriots.

Colts prove again they are the NFL's ultimate 'paper tigers' (Yahoo! Sports)
Another 12-victory season ... and nothing. Another Peyton Manning MVP season ... and nothing.

Chargers RB Tomlinson unable to finish game (PA SportsTicker)
LaDainian Tomlinson had to leave Saturday night's 23-17 overtime playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts due to a groin injury, leaving his status in doubt for the divisional round.

Sproles' shoulders plenty big enough to carry Chargers (SportingNews.com)
Chargers' do-everything back Darren Sproles was in a familiar role (for him) on Saturday, says Albert Breer. After all, he had plenty of reps at Kansas State.

Scifres puts a foot on the throats of Colts (PA SportsTicker)
On a stage that featured some of the game's biggest stars, a punter helped steal the show for the San Diego Chargers.

Undermanned Bolts again send Colts home (Yahoo! Sports)
Just like last year, LT was on the sideline. But that didn't stop the Chargers from again ousting the Colts in the playoffs.

Chargers beat Colts 23-17 in OT (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11t8gc1gn/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20090103024&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090104/thumb.30e002aac5a641eeb6843adb10af7f99.colts_chargers_football_cacc112.jpg" width="75" height="129" alt="Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy watches his team play against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter of an NFL AFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in San Diego. " align="left" border="0"></a>Darren Sproles ran off the field clutching the game ball, leaving Peyton Manning to hang his head in frustration. The San Diego Chargers outdid Manning for the second straight January, again turning to surprise stars to spark them along in the playoffs. Given more playing time because of LaDainian Tomlinson's groin injury, the speedy little Sproles scooted 22 yards for the winning score 6:20 into... 

Chargers and Colts play some defense; stage an instant classic (Yahoo! Sports)
Despite numerous attempts to blow their own feet off, the San Diego Chargers managed to pull it together in...

Floyd, Brackett among Colts-Bolts inactive (AP)
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson planned to play in San Diego's wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday despite a groin injury. San Diego wide receiver Malcom Floyd was inactive, and hasn't played since sustaining a collapsed lung in a victory at Kansas City on Dec. 14. Tomlinson has a groin injury that, according to some reports, is worse than what the team announced.

Five things that have me curious on Saturday (Yahoo! Sports)
5. If Edgerrin James can make himself a factor . I like how Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin match...

This year, Colts will have their pass rush in San Diego (Yahoo! Sports)
The last time the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers met in the playoffs, Dwight Freeney was an antsy...

Colts, Bolts meet yet again in playoffs (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12dmq8gbf/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-colts-chargers&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090101/thumb.764e23e3efcd490dacb1796dfed4cfb7.colts_chargers_football_cadp107.jpg" width="112" height="130" alt="San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera looks on during football practice at the Chargers' facility Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, in San Diego. The Chargers face the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Jan. 3 in an AFC wild-card playoff football game in San Diego. " align="left" border="0"></a>These guys might as well be division rivals. Peyton Manning, voted NFL MVP for a record-tying third time, and his Indianapolis Colts face Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers for the fourth time in two seasons Saturday night. Not only are the teams familiar with each other, they know all too well the consequences of facing off a second time -- one team moves along in the playoffs and the other... 

Cameron having opposite effect on Ravens (Yahoo! Sports)
After a disastrous '07 with the Dolphins, coordinator Cam Cameron has Baltimore's offense clicking.

Jets will contact Shanahan about coaching vacancy (Yahoo! Sports)
The New York Jets plan to contact former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to a person with...