Drew Brees played an almost flawless game to lead the Chargers to a 38-27 victory against Indianapolis. After the Colts opening drive stalled out at the Chargers 47, Brees lead the Chargers downfield on a methodical 80 yard, 11 play drive. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed 6 times for 19 yards, and Brees was 5-5 for the other 61 and culminated the drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Keenan McCardell to give the Chargers a 7-0 lead with 5:30 left in the first quarter. The Colts second drive took them down to San Diego’s 30 yard line, but on 4th and 1, the Colts elected to try the field goal, and Mike Vanderjagt’s kick was blocked. Despite starting with great field position, the Chargers went three and out as they failed to convert a third down for the only time in the game. At the start of the second quarter, the Colts went three and out, and the Chargers again had great field position starting at the Indianapolis 47. Following a holding penalty, Jesse Chatman fumbled on the next play and the Colts were in business at the Chargers 49. Peyton Manning completed a 27 yard play action pass to Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James swept outside for the final 22 yards for a quick two play drive to tie the game up at 7. Tim Dwight then electrified the crowd with an 86 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the Chargers back in front for good 14-7. Peyton Manning put together another nice drive, but on 4th and 1 at the Chargers 19, the Colts again elected to try a field goal. This time Vanderjagt’s kick was good and the San Diego lead was cut to 14-10. For the second time in the game, Brees took over at his own 20. This time he showed more quick stike capability and lead the team on an 80 yard, 6 play march featuring a 51 yard bomb to Kassim Osgood and a 12 yard completion to Keenan McCardell on a key 3rd and 8 from the Colts 20. One play later, Brees added a touchdown pass to Eric Parker to give the Chargers a 21-10 lead. Peyton Manning responded by leading the Colts 2-minute offense down the field. When his third down pass to Reggie Wayne ended up 2 yards shy of a first down, the Colts again elected to try the field goal. Vanderjagt’s kick was good again and the San Diego lead was trimmed to 21-13. For the second time in the first half, Tim Dwight electrified the crowd with a 40 yard kickoff return to midfield. With only 28 seconds left in the half, Brees couldn’t get the Chargers into the end zone. But, completions to Antonio Gates and McCardell set up a 48 yard field goal from Nate Kaeding on the last play of the first half to put the Chargers ahead 24-13 at halftime.
The Chargers got the ball to start the second half and started from their 
own 30 yard line. Drew Brees was incomplete on first down and then he didn’t miss another pass the rest of the game. Six plays later, LaDainian Tomlinson finished up the 70 yard drive with a 2 yard touchdown run to give San Diego a 31-13 lead and they never looked back. After a Colts punt, Brees directed a time consuming 7 minute, 83 yard drive, which culminated with his third touchdown pass, this time a 26 yarder to Malcolm Floyd to put San Diego up 38-13 at the end of the third quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter, another Charger fumble gave the Colts the ball at the San Diego 40. Peyton Manning wasted little time driving the Colts down the field and he connected on a 1 yard touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard. The Colts went for 2 on the conversion, but Manning’s pass to Marvin Harrison was incomplete and the Charger lead was 38-19. Mike Vanderjagt’s onside kick was recovered by the Colts and they started at their own 7 with 10:11 left in the game. Manning drove the Colts down the field, but the Chargers bend but don’t break defense made them consume almost 7 minutes on the 14 play drive which again ended with a Manning touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard. This time Manning’s conversion pass to Dominic Rhodes was completed in the end zone and San Diego’s lead was cut to 38-27 with 3:26 left in the game. For the second time, Vanderjagt’s onside kick was recovered by the Colts and San Diego fans began to get nervous in their seats. Manning drove the Colts down to the San Diego 24, but his second down pass to Reggie Wayne was intercepted by Drayton Florence to dash the Colts comeback hopes. Tomlinson gutted Indianapolis with a 43 yard run down to the Colts 18 and the game ended one play later.
Drew Brees finished a remarkable 20-23 for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns. LaDainian Tomlinson added 144 yards on the ground for the Chargers. Peyton Manning was 32-52 for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns for Indianapolis. Edgerrin James added 97 yards on the ground, and both Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison had 8 receptions for the Colts.
--submitted by John Lowe--
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