mmm...LT sandwich with pigskin...

So all the "experts" are saying the key to the game is stopping LTom (hey, the NFL already has an LT--someone tell the Nickname Department to stop slacking), so my first inclination is that King Bill's line of thinking will go in the opposite direction...
...but in this case, the "experts" are probably right. Interesting stat: Since 2002, LTom has had 38 games of less than 100 yards; the Chargers are 15-23 in those games. In both of their losses this year, LTom had less than 100 yards. Now, stats like that can be deceiving--they could just hand him the ball on every play and he'd probably get 100, but that wouldn't be a very effective strategy for success.
Nevertheless, it doesn't take 20/20 vision to see his importance to their offense. Remove him and you put their offense in the hands of Rivers, Gates, and...well, how many of their receivers can you name? Here, let me help:

Eric Parker 48 catches, 13.7 avg., 0 TDs
Keenan McCardell 36 catches, 12.1 avg., 0 TDs
Vincent Jackson 27 catches, 16.8 avg., 6 TDs

[They also picked up Az-Zahir Hakim (seriously) a month ago. He hasn't caught any passes for them.]
No TDs for their top two wideouts! Wow, and people talk smack about the Pats' receivers...

So there's a big reason why the focus will be on LTom. And the key isn't even holding him to 20 yards, or 30, or 60. It's keeping him out of the end zone. Ultimately, their strategy will follow their everyday philosophy: giving up yards is acceptable, giving up touchdowns is not.

In many ways, I see the Chargers as the big question mark in this game. They have less playoff experience, they have a young quarterback, they've had a relatively long layoff, their coach is Marty Chokenheimer...that isn't to say they won't come out and play a great game, but if they play like Ohio State, it wouldn't be shocking, would it?
Having said that, I'm expecting a hell of a game: violent, intense, on the edge...oh wait, that's me watching the game...
Seriously, this is the best matchup of the weekend. And if the Pats avoid turnovers, they have a great chance to win.

A couple of other things:

• It's really, really disappointing that Rodney won't be playing.
  
• Blocking pass rushers like Merriman is exponentially more difficult on the road in front of raucous fans. The Pats' O-line has had a few problems with false starts this season, and I'm not crazy about the Light-Merriman matchup; Matt is gonna need help.
• To deal with that, the Pats' offensive game plan should be similar to last week's: quick counts, no huddles, a spread field...but I don't think they threw one screen pass to a running back; I don't expect a repeat this week. If the Chargers come with a lot of blitzes, expect more screens than a head shop stockroom...than a Maine fishing camp in July...than a computer parts convention...expect a lot of screens.
• The Chargers have some of the most interesting names in the NFL. LaDanian Tomlinson is a cool name, and they also have Igor Olshansky, Brandon Manumaleuna, Bhawoh Jue, Quentin Jammer, the aforementioned Az-Zahir Hakim, Cletis Gordon, Drayton Florence, Antonio Cromartie, Jacques Cesaire, and my favorite, Cory Lekkerkerker.
• Who will cover Gates? He's 6'4", 260, and fast. I like the way James Sanders has played recently, but he's 5'10", 210--that's just not a promising matchup. An intriguing possibility is Rosey Colvin: 6'3", 250, with good speed. Although he's generally not great in coverage, I'm curious to see if he tries to muscle Gates at the line of scrimmage, with someone else picking up coverage on deeper routes. They can't just let Gates run untouched all over the field. Again, Rodney, disappointing, etc...
  
• Lekkerkerker.