PE.com - Football Blog

Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Chargers and Damon Huard will start.

Croyle had started the last two games but has not been able to practice this week because of a bruise to his lower back, the Associated Press is reporting.

Huard started nine games this season, completing a career-high 163 of 262 passes for 1,766 yards with 8 TDs and 11 interceptions.

Tyler Thigpen, claimed off waivers from Minnesota at the start of the season, is KC's third quarterback.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 11:13 AM

Highlights of Thursday's injury report:

** DE Luis Castillo (ankle) is out for the Chargers
** RB Larry Johnson (foot) is out for the Chiefs
** QB Brodie Croyle has not practiced this week because of a back problem
** WR Jeff Webb (La Quinta HS) missed practice Thursday because of illness
** S Jarrad Page (UCLA) missed practice Wednesday because of illness but participated fully yesterday

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:55 AM

Former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, on XX Sports (1090 AM) this morning, said a school has contacted him about coaching in college.

Schottenheimer, who spent 21 seasons as a head coach in the NFL and has never coached at the college level, said he wasn't looking for a coaching job but if he were it wouldn't be at the collegiate level, saying basically that he didn't know anything about college coaching or recruiting.

Three guesses on where we might see Schottenheimer coach once again:
1. San Francisco, if Mike Nolan were to be fired
2. Cincinnati, where a change appears certain
3. Atlanta, where Bobby Petrino is rumored to be considering a one-and-done in the NFL and return to college where he was so successful.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:06 AM

A recent edition of ESPN The Magazine had a Q and A with tight ends Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, and the tone of it would suggest that the two were not-so-friendly rivals.

Not true, said the Chargers' Gates when asked about it today. The players were interviewed separately, Gates said, although the piece made it look like they were responding back-and-forth.

"From what I understood, it was some stuff that was taken out of proportion, as far as the relationship we have," said Gates, who acknowledged that of this afternoon he hadn't yet read the article. "From the outside perspective, it looks like two guys who don't get along."

A sample passage from the ESPN piece:

AG: We both played college basketball, so in Hawaii a reporter asked if he was a better basketball player than me. He said yeah. It was disrespectful. Scouts used to watch me practice. Can Tony say that? We ended up playing a game of H-O-R-S-E for a TV segment. It was supposed to be fun.
TG: But he was serious.
AG: It was my fault for being so aggressive.
TG: Listen, I'm from Huntington Beach, so I showed up with board shorts and flip-flops. He came out with tennis shoes and basketball shorts.
AG: Of course, I won.
TG: It was just H-O-R-S-E. Mine is more of a power game, anyway. ...

Or:

AG: He did give me some good advice on a barber. We even started lifting together.
TG: I wouldn't call it lifting together. We were just at the same gym. Our relationship is similar to the one I had with Shannon Sharpe in his later years. Shannon was outgoing and accepting -- more so than me. And much more than Antonio.
AG: We're not exactly friends, but things are better between us. At the Pro Bowl this year he was like, "Go ahead, man. I'm getting old."
TG: Hey, I can still get the job done. He's got more touchdowns the past few years, but that has to do with offensive schemes. Our hands are equal ...

Gates today portrayed his relationship with Gonzalez as one of respect.

"He's a guy who's been in this league for a while, (done) a lot of things at his position, set the standard for how this position is played," he said. "I'm just a guy following in his footsteps.

"I respect him, with the career he's put together over a substantial amount of time. It's one of those things where you look at a guy like that and you understand how hard it is to accomplish six or seven Pro Bowls in a row. It's hard. I don't care who you are."

Gates also said the two share a marketing agency -- which apparently is run by Gonzalez' sister. Wonder who she thinks is the better tight end.

Posted by Jim Alexander at 6:12 PM

The Chargers hold essentially a two-game lead on the Denver Broncos in the AFC West Division.

The Chargers lead the Broncos by a game in the standings and also hold the head-to-head tiebreaker based on ther 41-3 victory in Denver on Oct. 7. The teams meet once more in San Diego on Week 16 in the Monday Night Football game.

How important is that two-game lead?

The Chargers are 1-4 on the road this season and face consecutive road games beginning Sunday in Kansas City followed by Dec. 9 at Tennessee.

The Chiefs, traditionally very difficult to beat at Arrowhead Stadium, are only 2-4 at home this season.

How rare is that 2-4 home record? The Chiefs entered this season with the best regular season home winning percentage in the NFL since 1990, going 102-34 (.750).

When the teams met Sept. 30 at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers led 16-6 at the half but were outscored 24-0 in the second half. It was San Diego's third consecutive loss in a 1-4 start that they've since managed to crawl out from.

Kansas City converted Chargers turnovers into 20 points in the 30-16 victory.

KC outside linebacker Derrick Johnson had an interception that lead to the touchdown that tied the score at 16.

The Chiefs got a 49-yard scoring pass play to rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe on a third-and-19 play to break a 16-16 tie.

Later, with the Chargers trying to mount a drive to tie the score, Johnson sacked Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and forced him to fumble. Tyrone Brackenridge picked up the ball and returned it 50 yards for a clinching touchdown.

Since that game, the Chargers won at Denver, beat Oakland and Houston at home, lost at Minnesota, survived Indianapolis at home, lost at Jacksonville and pounded Baltimore at home.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 5:12 PM

Additional reactions from today's game:

LaDainian Tomlinson, on whether he gets satisfaction out of not having success with the run but scoring in other ways:

"Yes, it's still a score. You get satisfaction when the offense scores. It doesn't matter if it's me, Chris (Chambers), Lorenzo (Neal) or Antonio (Gates). When you score an offensive touchdown you take pride in that because the offense scored and you know that's more points on the board to help you win the game."

Tomlinson on the importance of Philip Rivers having a big game:

"I cant speak for him, but from a players' standpoint and how we judge ourselves from success, I think it was important because success brings confidence. When you have it, you're going to continue to believe that you're going to be successful. Going down the stretch, if we continue to play like this, we are going to get on a roll that we've all been hoping to get on."

Tomlinson on why this team plays so much better at home (5-1, compared to 1-4 on the road):

"It could be the home crowd or the comfort of playing at home. I don't know what it is, but we have played better at home and we need to find a way to play better on the road. And what better way to test ourselves than by going to Kansas City, which has always been a tough place to play. I'm sure it will be no different on Sunday."

(Footnote: The Chargers lost last year's game in Kansas City but won in Arrowhead each of the previous two seasons.)

Rivers, on the Chargers' success holding on to the ball and what it meant to the offense in general:

"We've always said if you don't turn the ball over you win, at least most of the time. And this year we haen't had many games where we don't turn the ball over. Denver and this one, in which we didn't turn the ball over, were our two best games offensively of the season."

Rivers on his own mechanics:

"I think in general and in two games (specifically), the game against Minnesota and the game against the Colts, I was being a little too careful, and just trying not to make a mistake because of some of the turnovers that happened earlier in the year. I'm trying not to have them any more, and usually when you do that you have more turnovers.

" ... I'm not saying I'm not going to have that poor game again or poor plays, but I've gotten past that fact. I'm being aggressive, and I'm putting my foot in the ground and throwing it. If I see a guy and I think he's open, I'm letting it rip."

Gates on Rivers:

"The main thing is perception, the outside perception looking in -- how people view the interceptions and turnovers and us as a team. They key in on certain guys on why the offense is not working. The bottom line is that it takes 11 guys to make a play work. We all deserve the blame for the things that happened in the past. Today was just a good day for us."

Chambers on the Charger receivers' game plan:

"For the most part, watch (Ravens safety) Ed Reed. Ed Reed was the key to their defense. He flies around everywhere so he was the key all week. We really didn't know if Chris (McAllister, cornerback) was going to play or not. He ended up not playing. So it took a little bit of pressure off of some of the other guys. Other receivers were able to make needed plays for us and keep the drives going. Gates was able to run down the middle for a couple as well."

Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky on the up and down nature of this season:

"We definitely want to put a run together. This has been an up-and-down roller-coaster season for us. So this is going to be the biggest month for us. December is going to be our biggest month. I think we play three division games. This is where our history is going to be written, right here."

Finally, Ravens coach (and Redlands' own) Brian Billick on his team's struggles, during a five-game losing streak, and particularly today's two lost fumbles:

"Just keep working. I'm open to any suggestions. You try to maintain ball security. Protect the quarterback so he is not throwing under duress. Try to make sure everybody is where they are supposed to be so you don't throw the ball where it shouldn't be. We have been at this a long time now and those are the basic things, but you have to keep working through them. There is no magic thing to do to eliminate turnovers."

Posted by Jim Alexander at 6:54 PM

Notes from today's game:

-- Antonio Gates had his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season, tying a career high. And with two touchdown catches, he moved past Wes Chandler into fifth place on the team's all-time list with 42. Kellen Winslow is next, with 45.

-- Shawne Merriman extended his team lead in sacks to 6 1/2, although he remains well off his pace from a year ago, when he led the league with 17. Merriman also had his seventh and eighth tackles for loss, also a season high.

-- Mike Scifres nailed a 70-yard punt in the first quarter, although in fairness a 69-yard punt would have been more effective. His 70-yarder bounced into the end zone, giving the Ravens the ball on the 20. Scifres had a 71-yarder against the Ravens last year in Baltimore.

-- The day's only injury: Cornerback Steve Gregory left the game in the first half with a stinger.

Posted by Jim Alexander at 6:48 PM

Chicago took the overtime kickoff and drove down for a Robbie Gould field goal to beat the Broncos, 37-34, in overtime and put San Diego atop the AFC West Division with five games to play. The Chargers are 6-5; Denver is 5-6.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 4:45 PM

Arizona, with quarterback Kurt Warner, was in position to defeat San Francisco in OT but but Neil Rackers missed a chip-shot field goal. The 49ers couldn't move the ball and punted it back to the Cardinals.

Warner is closing in on a 500-yard passing game and already has thrown for the most yards in the NFL this season. ...

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Denver lost the OT toss and will kick off to ... Devin Hester. ...

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 4:42 PM

Denver blew a 33-20 lead in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter at Chicago and the game is about to go to overtime.

Chicago has two Devin Hester TD returns and a blocked punt that set up another score in this game.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 4:24 PM

Philip Rivers threw three TD passes and San Diego defeated Baltimore, 32-14, Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers improved to 6-5 and maintain at least a tie atop the AFC West Division.

San Diego next week travels to Kansas City to face a 4-7 Chiefs team that lost today at home to Oakland.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 4:02 PM

Another Jay Cutler TD pass has the Bronocs up 33-20 in Chicago, keeping pace with the Chargers atop the AFC West. These teams meet Christmas eve in San Diego. It's the Monday Night Football game.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:58 PM

Nate Kaeding's 41-yard field goal gives the Chargers a 32-14 lead. Now, under 7 minutes to play, the defense is teeing off on Ravens' QB Kyle Boller.

Boller, filling in for injured Steve McNair, has completed 15 of 24 passes for 128 yards against an agressive defense -- another flashback to '06.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:52 PM

Splain this to me Lucy: The Chargers are leading 29-14 early in the fourth quarter and they're still throwing the ball?

What exactly is San Diego coach Norv Turner saving LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner for?

Michael Turner?

Remember him? The team gave him good money and passed on a nice compensation package to keep him to ... let him rot on the sideline?

Turner came into the game with 37 rushing attempts this season. There are blocking backs in this league with more carries 10 games into the season. Pound the rock, folks. Pound the rock!

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:43 PM

Denver is back on top after a 68-yard TD pass from Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall. Former UCLA defensive back Rickey Manning Jr. was the defender on the play.

Now the Broncos get to kick it back to Hester.

Stay tuned.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:39 PM

Special teams are killing the Broncos.

Devin Hester just returned a kickoff for a touchdown as the Bears pulled even with Denver, 20-20. Hester earlier today returned a punt for a touchdown.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:36 PM

A victory today would keep San Diego atop the AFC West Division with five games to play. Denver, tied for the lead with the Chargers, has a third-quarter lead in Chicago.

If both teams win, they'll be 6-5.

Jacksonville (8-3) and Cleveland (7-4), both winners today, are the leaders for the two AFC wild card spots. Each division winner plus two teams with the next best records make the playoffs.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:30 PM

This is the type of game the Chargers expected of Philip Rivers all season.

Rivers, the San Diego quarterback, is picking apart the Baltimore defense, completing 21 of 29 attempts for 207 yards and three touchdown passes as the Chargers took a 29-14 lead midway through the third quarter.

Rivers, feeling pressure for having a league-high 17 turnovers and being among the lowest rated passers in the NFL, heard talkshow blather and "insider" rumors this week that he might be replaced by backup Billy Volek.

That didn't happen and Rivers is, at least so far today, looking like the quarterback that went to the Pro Bowl last season.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 3:18 PM

Today's player transactions:

The San Diego Chargers have placed linebacker Carlos Polk on the "Reserve-Injured" list with a shoulder injury.

Polk, the team's leading special teams tackler with 11, was injured while making a tackle in Sunday's game at Jacksonville. He will miss the remainder of the season.

Practice squad linebacker Jyles Tucker will take Polk's place on the active roster. Tucker is a 6-3, 258-pound rookie from Wake Forest.

The team also waived defensive tackle Tim Sandidge from the practice squad.

The two vacant spots on the eight-man practice squad will be filled by Keith Jackson, a 6-0, 315 rookie defensive tackle from Arkansas, and Terna Nande, a 6-0, 230 first-year outside linebacker from Miami of Ohio.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 6:14 PM

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers ranks 27th in third-down passer rating. Rivers has completed 47 of 86 third-down passes for 560 yards with 1 touchdown and 5 interceptions for a rating of 54.4.

The Chargers rank 23rd in third-down efficiency.

Jacksonville's David Garrard, in a trivial stunner, leads the NFL with a 125.1 passer rating on third downs. Garrard has completed 37 of 51 third-down attempts for 366 yards with 5 TDs and 0 interceptions.

New England's Tom Brady is No. 2 at 121.7. Brady has completed 48 of 70 third-down attemps for 584 yards and 12 TDs with 2 interceptions.

How much is Marvin Harrison missed in Indianapolis? Colts QB Peyton Manning has a league-leading 7 interceptions in 94 third-down attempts (a league-low 7.4 interception percentage). Manning ranks 25th on this list. Harrison, Manning's favorite target, has missed most of the season with a knee injury.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 6:01 PM

Rialto's Sammy Knight stepped in front of a Philip Rivers pass with 1:26 left to stop a Chargers drive for a potential tying touchdown. Knight juggled the ball as he fell to the ground but a booth review confirmed a catch. Knight secured both the ball and the Jaguars' 24-17 lead. It was Knight's third interception of the season.

Meanwhile, Rivers ended with a passer rating of 67.6 despite passing for more than 300 yards.

If there's a silver lining for the 5-5 Chargers, it is that Kansas City lost to Indianapolis on a late field goal to fall to 4-6 and the Raiders (2-8) fell to Minnesota, with Chester Taylor doing the running damage.

The other AFC West challenger (4-5), Denver, plays host to Tennessee on Monday night. With a win, the Broncos would move into a tie with the Chargers atop the division.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 12:58 PM

A tough catch in traffic by Chambers on fourth-and-10 and a pinpoint pass from Rivers to Gates in the end zone has San Diego within a touchdown with 5:06 to play in the fourth quarter. Now would be a perfect time for that big defensive play.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 12:45 PM

The Chargers defense got its stop following the Tomlinson touchdown, but the offense stalled after a bit of promise and David Garrard picked apart the secondary, driving the Jags nearly the length of the field for a 24-10 lead.

The Jags ground game in the first half opened up the pass here in the second half.

Now, expect Jacksonville to go back to the ground to run out the clock. With five minutes left in the third quarter, the Chargers would be lucky to get the ball three more times in this game. At this point, they'll need a big play on defense if they're going to come back.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 12:04 PM

NFL's all-time touchdown leaders
1. Emmitt Smith , Cowboys ..........164
2. Marcus Allen, Raiders/Chiefs.. ..123
3. Walter Payton, Bears............... 110
4. LaDainian Tomlinson,Chargers...109

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 11:51 AM

LT starts the second half, breaks loose for a 34-yard gain on a screen and caps an opening drive with a short run for his 109th career touchdown.

Rivers came out throwing as the Bolts marched 60 yards in five plays to close the gap to 17-10. More importantly, they sustained a drive, kept the defense on the bench and gained much needed offensive confidence.

Now, can the defense force a punt and give the offense a chance go build on this momentum?

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 11:41 AM

The Jags took a 17-3 lead at halftime, dominating the game on the ground with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew eating up the clock. The well-placed passing of David Garrad is keeping the defense honest.

The Chargers, coming off a victory over Indianapolis that felt more like a loss, continue to struggle on offense. Philip Rivers is just missing on key passes -- overthrowing Antonio Gates on a third-and-goal fade in the end zone, as one example. There seems to be a disconnect between the quarterback and receivers, a problem that apparently still lingers here 10 games into the season.

And, LaDainian Tomlinson appeared to injure his foot or ankle while being tackled late in the half. He did return to the field after the tackle.

The Chargers get the ball to start the second half.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 11:23 AM

An amazing bobbling sideline catch by Chris Chambers, that needed a red-flag challenge to confirm, keyed a scoring drive that concluded in a Nate Kaeding field goal. More importantly, the Chargers chewed up the first five minutes of the second quarter and gave their defense more than 10 minutes of real time rest. Jags lead, 10-3.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:53 AM

The Chargers defense was on the field for 11 minutes, 7 seconds of the first quarter and the Jags had 65 yards rushing in taking a 10-0 lead.

Philip Rivers wisely let the time run out at the end of the quarter, giving the defense a longer rest, and he started the second quarter converting a first down and showing signs of sustaining a drive.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:36 AM

Darren Sproles bungled the kickoff following Scobee's field goal and the Chargers' first possession began with their backs at the goal line. After a one first down, a Philip Rivers pass to Antonio Gates was well short of necessary first down yardage and San Diego was forced to punt, putting its defense back onthe field. ...

Jacksonville's Fred Taylor is doing his best Adrian Peterson impression early, doing what the Vikings' Peterson did to the Chargers three weeks ago -- running at will. And Maurice Jones-Drew is starting to add to the party. And it's only the Jags' second possession of the game.

This begs the question: What worked for Wade Phillips against the run that is not working for Ted Cottrell? And Donnie Edwards is cannot be the correct answer?

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:20 AM

Antonio Cromartie started over Quinten Jammer at cornerback and Ryon Bingham started over Jacques Cesaire at one of the defensive end spots. ....

The Jaguars, with David Garrard at quarterback, took the opening kickoff and drove down for a Josh Scobee field goal and a 3-0 lead. ...

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 10:13 AM

It took six interceptions of Peyton Manning and two missed Adam Vinatieri field goals for the Chargers to escape with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night at Qualcomm Stadium.

It was the Chargers second consecutive victory over the Colts after three consecutive losses and the second loss in a row for the Colts, who lost last week against New England.

The Chargers minor miracle included a kickoff and punt return for touchdowns by Darren Sproles but when the coaches, not to mention the critics, review the film and stats, they'll see a San Diego team of offensive stars devoid of an offensive identity.

This team led 23-donut but needed dumb luck to win. Their offense failed to sustain a meaningful drive or convert third downs when it counted. Quarterback Philip Rivers lost a fumble and had a pass tipped and intercepted late.

The Chargers wake up Monday morning leading the AFC West Division but unless they fine-tune the clunky offense, they could be in trouble next week against a nasty Jacksonville defense, not to mention the week after that against Baltimore or the week after that at Kansas City or the week after that at Tennessee or the week after that against Detroit or the week after that against Denver or the week after, ... wait, they should be fine in the finale at Oakland, even if it doesn't mean anything.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 9:16 PM

The Chargers got kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns in the first half and while that provided big early points on the board, it also meant the defense would spend more time on the field. That's the biggest problem teams have to overcome when they get the big play on offense or on teams: keeping the defense fresh.

Tonight, the depleted Colts' offense seems to be having its way late with a tired and worn down Chargers defense. Indy is controlling the ball and running down the clock as it marches toward the apparent winning points.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:44 PM

They started a player short, lost four more to injury, Peyton Manning had five passes intercepted, they gave up two returns for touchdowns and, despite all that, the Colts are in position to win.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:43 PM

The Colts potential 99-yard drive to glory ended in a punt when Aaron (Agnes?) Moorehead let a Manning rainbow up the sideline slip through his arms in shadows of the end zone. Chargers rookie Eric Weddle had the coverage and slipped a hand in on Moorehead's chest an instant before the ball arrived but it was a ball that should have been caught.

Coaches like to say, "Great players make great plays.'' Manning did his part and made a great pass. Weddle, beaten by a step, recovered enough to distract Moorehead and was fortunate to avoid the PI call.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:28 PM

Add pass rusher Dwight Freeney to the list of Colts out of this game. Freeney was taken to the dressing room on a cart with his left foot/ankle wrapped. ...

Meanwhile, on the field, Manning is in the midst of a drive that started on the Indianapolis 1 trying to get the Colts in position for at least a field goal that would give them the lead.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:21 PM

The NFL this week decided it would ask referees to start ejecting players for helmet-to-helmet hits but in this game, at least, the zebras seem to be ignoring the dangerous horsecollar tackle. Shawne Merriman escaped penalty earlier and a Colts defender got away with apparently pulling LaDainian Tomlinson down by the back of his neck here in the fourth.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:13 PM

A constant drizzle took its toll on Charger quarterback Philip Rivers early in the fourth quarter. On consecutive passes, the ball slipped out of his hand.

The first wasn't as costly, a pass that sailed out of bounds (was it the rain or the relentless pressure of Dwight Freeney, who spun away from left tackle Marcus McNeill and was coming like a train?).

The second, a fumble in the end zone recovered by Colts linebacker Gary Brackett for a touchdown that closed the gap to 23-21. A draw play to Joseph Addai on the two-point attempt was stuffed by the Chargers to preserve what was left of their once 23-point advantage.

On the fumble, Rivers set up to pass a step or so in the end zone but lost the ball as he began to cock his arm to pass. The ball squirted from his hand -- clearly a fumble, not a pass -- was knocked deeper into the end zone by Rivers attempting to recover the ball (or knock it out of the end zone for a safety) where Brackett jumped on it.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 8:01 PM

Fantasy owners opting to bench the Chargers defense/special teams this week are regretting that decision. Mighty-mite Darren Sproles, all 5-foot-6 of him, returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and not too long after brought back a short-field punt for another score as the Chargers took control early.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 7:57 PM

Early in the third quarter and the Chargers have five interceptions of Colts' QB Peyton Manning, a career high for Manning.

Not that it's an excuse for Manning, but he is trying to rally his team from what was a 23-0 deficit with the likes of Bryan Fletcher, Aaron Mooreheand and Craphonso Thorpe instead of Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez. Reggie Wayne is having a game but he can't do it all against the Chargers D (contrary to last week when one player did indeed do it all, and then some.).

It would have helped Indy's end-of-the-half momentum had Thorpe held on to Manning's perfect pass that spun through his fingers in the end zone toward the end of the first half. Instead of the TD that would have cut the lead to 23-14, the Colts had to settle for an Adam Vinatieri field goal attempt, that hooked left.

So instead of 23-14 (plus getting the ball to start the third quarter) it was 23-7 at the half. The Colts still got the ball to start the third but a promising Indy drive w-- that included a fourth-and-2 conversion -- was thwarted by another Peyton pick, this one by dropping linebacker Matt Wilhelm.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 7:21 PM

The Colts are so beat up coming into tonight's game that they couldn't maximize their active roster, falling one player short of the allowable. It got worse when starting right tackle Ryan Diem was rolled up in a pile and hobbled off in the second quarter. Diem didn't start the third quarter, leaving the Colts with only one remaining reserve offensive lineman.

Posted by Jeff Parenti at 7:14 PM

Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie was honored Wednesday as the AFC special teams player of the week because of his record-setting 109-yard return of a missed field goal at Minnesota. Ironically, he won the special teams award even though he's not a featured player on kickoff and punt returns.

Cromartie, who scored his third touchdown in two weeks, said he had to check with the officials to make sure he hadn't stepped on the end line. Then he started slowly, trying to convince the Vikings that he wasn't going to run it back.

"Once I looked up, everybody was walking off the field," he said. "I ran down our sideline, and I had a wall (of blockers), just like I did on my first interception return for a touchdown. I ran down the field, and they threw great blocks."

* * *

The Chargers started their preparation for Sunday's Indianapolis game with center Nick Hardwick (foot), cornerback Quentin Jammer (hamstring) and linebacker Marques Harris (toe) sitting out practice. Defensive end Luis Castillo will be out for the next month to six weeks following surgery to repair a tendon in his ankle. Linebacker Shaun Phillips (groin) didn't play at Minnesota but practiced fully today, as did reserve wideout Craig Davis (ankle).

Coach Norv Turner said he didn't expect Hardwick to be ready by Sunday.

"He's testing it some," Turner said. "But he's not close to getting on the field, so I wouldn't hold out much hope."

Posted by Jim Alexander at 6:10 PM