LiveBlog: Chargers-Patriots, first quarter

Chris Littmann breaks down the ongoing action of the Chargers-Patriots AFC Championship Game:
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End of the first quarter
The Patriots have found a rhythm against the Chargers’ defense and put them off balance. It all seemed to start with the reverse to Randy Moss, taking advantage of the hard-charging San Diego defense. From there, a few quick out passes and a ball over the middle to Donte Stallworth have moved the Patriots to the 15-yard line.
2:55
The Patriots keep the Chargers from getting into the end zone with tight coverage in the end zone -- Chris Chambers’ catch was sick, but he was out of bounds before even making a play. They’re actually lucky to have not been flagged for illegal touching. It’s a good thing too, another five yards out would’ve meant a miss for Nate Kaeding. Kaeding squeezes his field goal just inside the right upright at the Chargers lead, 3-0.
5:00
After trading field position with punts, it’s Quentin Jammer picking off Tom Brady on first down. Michael Turner carries on first down, and a personal foul facemask penalty by Vince Wilfork moves the Chargers to the New England 20.
5:31
Once again, Tomlinson starts a San Diego drive on the sideline and Michael Turner comes out with back-to-back carries of 10 and 4 yards. Rivers follows the play with a fluttering incomplete pass and a sack. He hasn’t looked strong. Like it or not, the Chargers might be forced into a conservative approach to protect Rivers.
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7:05
Here’s a reason to not spread out the offense: San Diegeo’s blitz package. What would normally be an easy, quick pass to Wes Welker is disrupted by the Chargers. The Patriots are forced to punt again and the Chargers will start with it at their own 40.
8:11
The running lanes are non-existent to this point for the Patriots. Maroney is getting smacked around. No reason for New England to go away from its strength and spread out the Chargers.
8:57
The Patriots go five-wide and Wes Welker beats a San Diego linebacker for the Patriots’ first first down of the game.
More weather fun
[quote="The Associated Press"]FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The Patriots and Chargers began their game Sunday in windy conditions with a temperature of 23 degrees, the lowest of the three AFC championship games played in Foxborough.
The previous low there for a title game was 27 degrees on Jan. 12, 1997 when New England beat Jacksonville 20-6 to advance to the Super Bowl where it lost to Green Bay 35-21 in New Orleans.
The lowest temperature for any Patriots game at Foxborough was 4 degrees in a 17-14 win over Tennessee on Jan. 10, 2004 in the first round of the playoffs.
The wind at game time Sunday was blowing at 17 mph from the northwest. The wind chill was 9. San Diego won the opening coin toss and had the wind at its back in the first quarter.[/quote]
9:45:
Tomlinson and Rivers each return to the game and L.T. catches a short screen pass. Also, CBS reports Gates’ trip to the locker room was due to an “equipment issue.” Still, the Chargers’ drive stalls and New England fields a punt at its own 10.
10:52
No Tomlinson to start the second drive for the Chargers, but Philip Rivers is out there and finds Chris Chambers for two first downs. Also good news for San Diego: Gates is back on the sideline with his helmet on.
12:19
As Jim Nantz just pointed out, Tom Brady already has matched last week’s incompletion total -- two -- and just like the Chargers, the Patriots start with a three-and-out. Perhaps the wind (17 MPH, gusting to 26, according to Weather.com) will be an issue.
12:52
And that’s one down already. Antonio Gates is shown jogging to the locker room. I’ll pass along any update on the injury.
13:21 remaining
San Diego starts with the ball, but after two runs and an incomplete screen pass, it’s a three-and-out. The first punt by the Chargers draws a five-yard flag for running into the punter. The flag turns out to be significant, because the second punt pushes New England back to its 33-yard line. I don’t like the conservative start.
Injury report
Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates are active. I’m going to be nothing short of shocked if Rivers plays the entire game. Jamal Williams is active, but isn’t expected to play a full set of snaps.↵