Patriots Links for Tuesday, 1/15

ESPN.com has a page devoted to the AFC Championship game.  Here, you can see that the "Accuscore" software ESPN employs has the Patriots winning over 88% of the time against the Chargers.  Stephen Oh, an analyst for Accuscore, offers a detailed explanation of these simulations, along with how other variables (like the absence of Rivers and Tomlinson) affect the outcomes. NFL.com has a similar page with features on the game.

With the Globe, Mike Reiss has the latest injury news on Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson.  It looks like Tomlinson will probably play, but Rivers's status is still uncertain.  If Rivers and/or Tomlinson can't play, the Herald's Dan Duggan has a look at the subs who will play in their stead.

Reiss also has the thoughts of Bill Belichick on the Chargers team posted on his blog.  Additionally, Reiss has gathered the thoughts and opinions of three coaches around the league on this Pats-Chargers matchup.  The coaches are Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike  Smith, Chiefs special teams coach Mike Priefer, and former head coach Dennis Green, who now works as an analyst for Westwood One radio.  John Tomase took a similar tack by talking with Chiefs QB Damon Huard about the Chargers' turnaround since their 1-3 start to the season.

Finally, Reiss has an article recalling the last game played between the Patriots and Chargers, in which the Patriots got off to a fast start.

Tomase breaks down the Chargers' defense, which, Karen Guregian writes, the odds are against.

Gerry Callahan believes the disparity between the Pats and Chargers is so great that the Chargers should not even bother to show up.

The AP also has an article on the fine recent play of Laurence Maroney.