How the Titans are playing now: Solid, but unspectacular. The Titans can't be comfortable about the fact that quarterback
Vince Young was forced to leave Sunday night's 16-10 victory over Indianapolis early with a quad strain. Young's greatest asset is his game-breaking scrambling ability. He has not demonstrated he can consistently make a difference as a passer.
Kerry Collins did perform well in Young's place, but his lack of mobility would be a serious problem against the Chargers' fierce pass rush.
LenDale White is an effective back, and is capable of allowing Tennessee to control the ball and keep games tight enough for
Rob Bironas to win with his leg (he booted field goals from 40, 54 and 33 yards against the Colts).
Albert Haynesworth is one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league, but he has missed time with a hamstring injury and hasn't been quite as effective since his return.
How the Chargers are playing now: Outside of the Patriots, they could very well be the hottest team in the NFL. They have won six in a row, including Sunday's 30-17 pounding of Oakland. Their slow start to the season, which raised questions about whether the Chargers had made a big mistake by replacing coach Marty Schottenheimer with Norv Turner, seems like ancient history.
LaDainian Tomlinson is as dominant as ever as a rusher and receiver. The biggest question mark is inconsistent quarterback
Philip Rivers, although he seems to have found his groove in recent weeks.
Antonio Gates is the most dangerous tight end in the NFL. San Diego's defense, led by playmaking linebacker
Shawne Merriman and cornerback
Antonio Cromartie, has been highly effective in forcing turnovers, such has the five times it swiped the ball from the Raiders on Sunday.
Last time they met in a game that counted: Dec. 9, at Tennessee. The Chargers won 23-17, with Rivers throwing two touchdown passes and two interceptions, and Tomlinson rushing for 146 yards and a score and catching a TD pass.
This team has a reason to be uncomfortable as a wild card: Tennessee. The Titans had to wait until the final game of the regular season to clinch their playoff spot. And they had their struggles against the Colts' second and third stringers. It's hard to see the Titans having a long playoff stay. On the other hand, the Chargers, the AFC's No. 3 seed, are playing well enough to give either of the top two seeds, New England and Indianapolis, all they can handle.
AFC Wildcard: Titans at Chargers
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