Patriots must get charged up
FOXBOROUGH -- Tom Brady couldn't sleep after the Patriots' 37-16 playoff win over the New York Jets Sunday. No, the excitement of vanquishing New England's AFC East rival wasn't keeping No. 12 awake. It was the prospect of playing the San Diego Chargers.
Making his weekly radio appearance on WEEI's "Dennis and Callahan Show," Brady said yesterday that while lying in bed, he decided he'd better take a look at the computer disk full of Chargers highlights that had been left in front of his locker.
The Patriots don't have time to celebrate because they have to cram for their biggest test of the season: going on the road to face the AFC's No. 1 seed and arguably the NFL's best team. San Diego went 14-2 this season and outscored its opponents by a league-best 189 points (492-303). An NFL-high five Chargers were named to the Associated Press All-Pro team, led by record-setting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and sack machine Shawne Merriman.
"Forget about the Jets. It doesn't mean anything right now," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "That game is in the books. It's done. It's time to move on, and believe me, we know what kind of challenge we have ahead of us."
Belichick said that once Indianapolis defeated Kansas City last Saturday, he instructed his advance scouting staff to concentrate on San Diego. But the Patriots are still behind in preparing for a team they haven't played this season, so they have to put on the "full court press" to get ready for Sunday.
"I think based on the body of work over a 16-game, regular-season schedule, they're the best team in the AFC," said Belichick. "We're going to have to play our best game of the year against them."
Usually, there is a measure of hyperbole to Belichick's praise of opponents, but he's not exaggerating here.
The Chargers boast the highest-scoring offense in the NFL (30.8 points per game), led by Tomlinson, who set NFL records for touchdowns (31) and points in a season (186). He's joined by All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers, who earned a Pro Bowl nod in his first season as a starter. Behind the blocking of All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal and an underrated offensive line, San Diego churned out 161.1 rushing yards per game, second best in the league.
While San Diego's offense rushes the ball, its defense rushes the passer. The Bolts were tops in the NFL in sacks with 61, led by the menacing Merriman, who recorded a league-leading 17, despite sitting out four games because of a steroid suspension.
Running the ball against San Diego, which allows 18.9 points per game, seventh best in the league, is no day at Pacific Beach either, as All-Pro nose tackle Jamal Williams clogs the middle. Behind the 348-pound plugger, the Chargers have the seventh-rated run defense (100.8 yards per game), after leading the league last season.
Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour said preparation is going to be paramount.
"Like we said, the playoffs didn't start yesterday or today, the playoffs started Wednesday of last week through our preparation," said Seymour. "That's what it's going to continue to take. It's going to be a big week for us.
"We haven't played this team this year, so we have our work cut out for us as far as preparation. Not just being alert and knowing what we do, but we also have to face good players in doing it. That's a challenge within itself."
The Patriots weren't prepared for the beating they took at the hands of Tomlinson & Co. the last time the teams met, in 2005.
The Chargers came to Gillette Stadium in Week 4 and ended New England's 21-game home winning streak with a resounding 41-17 victory, outscoring the Patriots, 24-0, and outgaining them, 243-61, in the second half. The Chargers overran the Patriots defense, racking up 183 yards on 40 carries. Tomlinson had 134 yards and two touchdowns.
"They beat us up and down the field," said Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel. "It was kind of like an NFL team vs. a college team."
In that game, the Patriots were missing Tedy Bruschi, who had yet to return from a stroke, and Rodney Harrison, who had shredded his knee a week earlier against Pittsburgh. The starting inside linebackers were Chad Brown and Monty Beisel, and Guss Scott started at strong safety.
Belichick didn't rule out Harrison for Sunday ("We'll see"), but whether or not he plays, San Diego will face a different New England defense this time.
"The whole team was hurt, so it was a lot easier," said Patriots receiver Reche Caldwell, who was a member of the Chargers then. "The Chargers are a good team. [They have] one of the best running backs probably ever to play the game. They have a lot of young talent. They make plays. It's going to be a tough game, but if we go out there and execute and play well, I think we have a good chance."
Yesterday, Belichick apologized for pushing Globe photographer Jim Davis after Sunday's game. Davis was among a group of photographers waiting for Belichick to meet Jets coach Eric Mangini . . . The Patriots are likely to travel to San Diego Friday, a day earlier than they normally do for a Sunday game, because of the length of the trip.
Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 
