Indianapolis Colts (13-3) Vs. San Diego Chargers (11-5)

For mine this is the most mouth-watering of the four playoff games.

Both sides have more than capable defences, and both sides are electrifying on offence. It will really be a case of which side shows up for the contest and who wants it more.

Last year’s Super Bowl champions the Colts will be favourites to progress though, and if you crunch the numbers it’s hard to fault that prediction.

Peyton Manning, without the services of injured Hall of Fame bound receiver Marvin Harrison for a majority of the season, has guided his pack to a 13-3 season.

With a first round bye, Indy has been further buoyed by news that Harrison should be good to go for the Chargers clash.

For San Diego, it all comes down to the health of tight end Antonio Gates.

Injured in the Wildcard win over the Tennessee Titans, Gates remains questionable for this do-or-die game.

While receiver Vincent Jackson has been playing out of his skin over the past few weeks, Gates is a big and reliable target inside the hash marks for quarterback Philip Rivers. Without him the Chargers will lack a go-to man and Rivers may be feeling nervous with No.85 out on the field with him.

If San Diego commit to the run and pound the ball through LaDainian Tomlinson it should wear down the Colts’ pass rushers and open up the passing game.

Another interesting fact is going back to last time Manning went up against San Diego. On that occasion he was intercepted six times in a 23-21 loss.

Can the Chargers come through where they’ve failed in past seasons and make it through the playoffs?

Prediction: Colts

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