I'm guessing Don Banks' editor suggested a "how the Chargers can win" column, but I give the guy credit for coming up with five semi-plausible ways it could happen. 1. LaDainian Tomlinson must be a difference-maker
2. A surprising contribution from an unsung player
3. Keep those turnovers coming
4. Harrison and Seau play more like old Patriots rather than ex-Chargers
5. History to repeat itself
Let's see: the Patriots will certainly focus on stopping LdT first and worry about Philip Rivers/Billy Volek a distant second. Which makes No. 2 even more important. And while New England hasn't been prone to turnovers this season, windy conditions might also help with No. 3.
And I'd say that both Harrison and Seau are capable of playing like they've been in the league a combined 30 years: they've done it for most of the last month or so. Harrison is a liability in coverage and good for at least two personal-foul penalties a game; Seau doesn't have the lateral mobility he once did, so if LdT, Michael Turner or Darren Sproles can turn the corner, there could be yards there. Concerning the last point, it's worth remembering that Drew Brees was still with the team.
Still, none of this is earth-shattering stuff, but it doesn't need to be -- it's going to come down to execution. A cliche, yes, but also the truth.
