No LT meant no win for San Diego yesterday in the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots. Four times the Bolts got into position to reach the promised land but four times they had to send Nate Kaeding out for a field goal attempt. Even with Tom Brady looking very un-Bradyesque with three interceptions, you won’t win many games that way.

Credit the Chargers defense for keeping them in the game, though. In addition to the three picks, they forced the Pats to punt four times and held them to just 14 points in the first half. Too bad the offense never capitalized on it. (Is Norv Turner an offensive guru or defensive? I forget.)

So the Patriots continue their methodical, ceaseless march towards perfection with one game left to be played in Glendale, AZ. A rematch against the Giants, who nearly played them to a stalemate in the regular-season finale. I’m sure we won;t have to endure much hype over this one the next two weeks.

In a 23-20 overtime loss, Brett Favre threw two interceptions, including a game-killer in overtime. The running game, so good against the Seahawks last week, averaged about two-yards a carry — and there weren’t many of those. The secondary got burned by Plaxico Burress, who finished with 11 catches for 154 yards. Maybe the 14-3 Packers were just a mirage.

Or maybe the New York Giants are just that good. It’s hard to argue with success, and after beating Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round, the G-Men have knocked off the top two teams in the NFC to advance to the Super Bowl. Eli Manning has yet to throw an interception this post-season, the running game has been bruising, and the defense, including the much maligned secondary, has been punishing.

Can the Giants bring home an NFL title? Thankfully with the New York media we won’t be short of analysis and speculation over the next two weeks.

No one gave much of a chance to the San Diego Chargers on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Colts, but two tipped balls turned into interceptions that killed deep scoring drives and suddenly Indianapolis was in a dogfight late in the game. Still, you’d think Indy could overcome a team that had its best running back on the sideline, a team being helmed by Billy Volek after Philip Rivers left with a knee injury.

Such was not the case. Volek, who’s last meaningful playing time came in 2005 for the Tennessee Titans, led an 87-yard, eight-play drive that ended with a quarterback sneak from the one-yard line to put the Bolts in front 28-24 with almost five minutes to play. The Colts mounted a comeback for the win but was stymied twice on downs.

But fear not because there is a Manning advancing to the conference championships, and his name is Eli. (I fully expected during the post-game interviews that he would look directly into the camera and say something like, “I won and Peyton lost. Can you love me now, dad?”) The New York Giants survived a close game in Dallas to upend the Cowboys 21-17, advancing to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2000 season.

But enough about the winners, what about the losers?

Tony Romo: Loser with a hot girl friend.
Terrell Owens: Crybaby loser.
Wade Phillips: Fat Overweight Rotund Husky loser.
Jerry Jones: Creepy, ghost-face loser.
Cowboy Nation thought for sure this was the year, but the ‘Boys have been sucking wind the past month, so is it a huge surprise they came up short against the Giants? Okay, may a little surprising, but me thinks that Fatty may have been out-coached a bit. When it became clear the offensive line was gassed in the fourth quarter, they were still sending Owens on deep routes, forcing Romo to look for Patrick Crayton and his three-way partner Jason Witten. The middle of the field was open and New York had their practice squad defending in man coverage, you’d think the Cowboys could have scored more than three second-half points.

No matter what, though, you can’t blame this one on Jess; she wasn’t there (at least on camera).

Mike Holmgren can’t very well blame the weather for his Seahawks getting blown out by the Packers 42-20. Heck, they spotted Seattle two touchdowns in the first four minutes off turnovers, but it didn’t matter once Green Bay got going. Where was that vaunted defense we heard so much about last week? Oh that’s right, they were playing the Washington Redskins then.

There wasn’t any snow in the air at Gillette Stadium last night but everyone expected the Patriots to bury the Jaguars under a blizzard of points. Surprisingly, Jacksonville played a very good first half and stayed right with New England, thanks in part to kicker Stephen Gostkowski who missed a 35-yard field goal.

Unfortunately for the teal and black crowd, the Jags had to come out and play the second half and that’s where the Pats really took off, outscoring the Jags 21-6. So much for the upset of the century, I guess we’ll have to wait until next week to see if someone can stop that New England juggernaut from reaching the Super Bowl.

Three cheers also to Norv Turner for doing what Marty Schottenheimer never could do: win a playoff game. The Chargers looked to be heading for yet another post-season defeat, trailing much of their game against the Tennessee Titans, but then Philip Rivers — who’s still a little bitch in my book — finally started to turn things on, finding Vincent Jackson for a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter. LT rushed for only 42 yards, but his dive across the goal line in the final period put the game away for San Diego.

Riding shotgun on the way to Lambeau Field — and getting special attention from the flight attendants — should be the Seahawks defense. They stonewalled the Skins on the ground and came after Todd Collins from every direction. Marcus Trufant and Jordan Babineaux both came away with pick sixes in the fourth quarter to ice the game for Seattle.

Poor Collins, though. His brilliant and unexpected career as a starter after a dozen years in the league probably just ended with the Redskins season. Had he led Washington deeper into the playoffs, who knows what could have happened, but now he’ll probably just get benched again next year — a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder — replaced by someone younger and prettier.

Speaking of pretty, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger used to date Natalie Gulbis. Now she is pretty, and a way better girlfriend if you ask me than Jessica Simpson. But they broke up for reasons unknown and now Big Ben is on the outside looking in as far as the NFL playoffs are concerned.

Last night’s AFC Wildcard game was virtually a repeat performance of the regular season meeting between Pittsburgh and Jacksonville: The Jaguars took an early lead, the Steelers battled back, but the Jags had just enough left in the tank to come away with the victory. Game ball goes to quarterback David Garrard for his 32-yard scramble on fourth down in the final minute that kept Jacksonville’s season alive. Or maybe it should go to Maurice Jones-Drew for his 96-yard kickoff return and a 43-yard touchdown reception. Or maybe Rashean Mathis, who had two interceptions in the first half, including a pick six. Seriously, none of these guys got voted to the Pro Bowl?

Jacksonville has to wait until the conclusion of today’s game between San Diego and Tennessee to find out where they will be playing next, but odds are the Jags will be traveling to Massachusetts to face the unbeaten New England Patriots. They’ll need to be hitting on all cylinders if they’re to beat the Pats on the road, but they’ll have everyone outside of Boston rooting for them.

Seattle 41, Atlanta 44
Game ball goes to: What a job interim head coach Emmitt Thomas did getting this sad sack team to play a game. Chris Redman threw four touchdowns, two of them to Alge Crumpler.
Key his Escalade: Yes yes, resting your players is the prudent thing, but allowing the Falcons to score more than 40 points?

New Orleans 25, Chicago 33
Game ball goes to: Devin Hester returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown and took a pass 55 yards for another score.
Key his Escalade: The injured Reggie Bush spent the Christmas holiday shacked up with Kim Kardashian. This affair has been going on for a while now, where’s the sex tape?

San Francisco 7, Cleveland 20
Game ball goes to: Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 76 yards for the first Browns touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Will Mike Nolan see his fourth year as 49ers coach?

Detroit 13, Green Bay 34
Game ball goes to: Unheralded backup Craig Nall played his first game since 2004, completing seven of 15 passes for 88 yards and a Packers touchdown.
Key his Escalade: The “Fire Millan” chants may now resume.

Jacksonville 28, Houston 42
Game ball goes to: Andre Davis returned back-to-back kickoffs for touchdowns, one from 97 yards and another from 104 yards.
Key his Escalade: See comments above on the Seahawks.

Cincinnati 38, Miami 25
Game ball goes to: Carson Palmer returned to form in time for the season finale, throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: With Bill Parcells watching, backup QB John Beck fumbled his first snap. The Bengals returned the loose ball for a touchdown.

Buffalo 9, Philadelphia 17
Game ball goes to: For a second week, Kevin Curtis recovered a fumble for a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: The Bills just kinda stink.

Carolina 31, Tampa Bay 23
Game ball goes to: DeAngelo Williams rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers.
Key his Escalade: Jon Gruden is losing his mind.

Pittsburgh 21, Baltimore 27
Game ball goes to: Could rookie Troy Smith really be the quarterback of the future for the Ravens? He threw for 171 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers.
Key his Escalade: No wonder the Pittsburgh sideline was looking less than energetic: the Steelers have to play Jacksonville again in the playoffs.

Dallas 6, Washington 27
Game ball goes to: Todd Collins was drafted by the Bills in 1995. A decade later he’s leading a team into the playoffs and just might be the quarterback of the future for the Redskins.
Key his Escalade: Sure they had nothing to play for, but the Cowboys have looked less than playoff ready for the past three weeks.

St. Louis 19, Arizona 48
Game ball goes to: For the fourth time in his final six games, Kurt Warner threw for more than 300 yards. I thought the Cardinals drafted a top prospect a couple years ago, what was his name?
Key his Escalade: Marc Bluger threw two interceptions and Gus Frerotte tossed another one.

Minnesota 19, Denver 22 (OT)
Game ball goes to: After all the bad mouthing he got from Philip Rivers last week, Jay Cutler played a decent game. But it was Jason Elam to the rescue again with a 30-yard field goal to win it overtime.
Key hsi Escalade: Adrian Peterson gained just 36 yards rushing and Tavaris Jackson fumbled the ball to the Broncos in overtime. Yeah, the Vikes were not ready for the playoffs.

San Diego 30, Oakland 17
Game ball goes to: Jyles Tucker got a sack on JaMarcus Russell, stripped the ball and recovered the fumble for a touchdown. Game, set, match.
Key his Escalade: Can Norv Turner do what Marty Schottenheimer couldn’t? And if he doesn’t, how long will he survive?

Kansas City 10, NY Jets 13
Game ball goes to: With 98 yards rushing, Thomas Jones wrapped up his first year in New York with 1,119 yards.
Key his Escalade: Cedric Benson, the back Chicago kept, had just 674 yards this year.

Tennessee 16, Indianapolis 10
Game ball goes to: Kerry Collins took care of business after Vince Young got hurt, throwing for 106 yards and not turning the ball over. Good thing, too, because the Titans might need to call on him again next week in the wildcard game.
Key his Escalade: What was all that Andrea Kramer was say about Norm Chow saying Vince Young pouts when things don’t go his way? Tough love or strife in the Tennessee locker room?

Green Bay 7, Chicago 35
Game ball goes to: Adrian “Not Every Day” Peterson had a better one than “All Day” rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Packers head coach Mike McCarthy decided to practice his team indoors all week, and it showed.

Cleveland 14, Cincinnati 19
Game ball goes to: Kenny Watson rushed for 130 yards and one TD for Cincy.
Key his Escalade: Derek Anderson threw four interceptions but his receivers didn’t help matters much.

Kansas City 20, Detroit 25
Game ball goes to: Paris Lennon scored on a 61-yard interception return to put the Lions ahead 19-0 in the first half.
Key his Escalade: Brodie Croyle was the one who threw that interception.

Houston 15, Indianapolis 38
Game ball goes to: Reggie Wayne had 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Sage Rosenfels, with three interceptions, probably isn’t the answer for the Texans.

Oakland 11, Jacksonville 49
Game ball goes to: Fred Taylor had 111 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries.
Key his Escalade: All those Pro Bowl voters who overlooked the Jaguars on their ballots.

Philadelphia 38, New Orleans 23
Game ball goes to: Donovan McNabb, who threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, is going to look mighty good in a Bears uniform next year.
Key his Escalade: Was the “Fuck the Eagles” gal at the game?

Atlanta 27, Arizona 30 (OT)
Game ball goes to: Kurt Warner was partying like it was 1999, throwing for 361 yards and three touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: Falcons nearly got their first post-Petrino win but Neil Rackers spoiled it with a 31-yard field goal in overtime.

Tampa Bay 19, San Francisco 21
Game ball goes to: Patrick Willis playing for pride with 12 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Key his Escalade: Michael Clayton couldn’t keep his feet in bounds on a two-point try that would have tied the game.

Miami 7, New England 28
Game ball goes to: Laurence Maroney rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown as the Pats cruised to win number 15.
Key his Escalade: Wayne Huizenga was still crying this week.

Baltimore 6, Seattle 27
Game ball goes to: So Seattle does have some kind of running game; Shaun Alexander ran for 73 yards.
Key his Escalade: Rookie Troy Smith had just as many passing yards as Matt Hasselbeck but without the two interceptions.

NY Jets 6, Tennessee 10
Game ball goes to: Kyle Vanden Bosch had three sacks and forced a fumble to help the offensively challenged Titans get past the Jets.
Key his Escalade: Chad Pennington was sacked six times and threw two interceptions.

Washington 32, Minnesota 21
Game ball goes to: Todd Collins shook off a decade of rust and threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns to keep the Redskins in the playoff hunt.
Key his Escalade: “All Day” had another bad one, rushing for just 27 yards. That makes 108 rushing yards in his last three games!

Buffalo 0, Cleveland 8
Game ball goes to: Phil Dawson hit two screwball field goals in the driving snowstorm.
Key his Escalade: The last time an NFL game ended with an 8-0 score was 1929 when the Chicago Cardinals beat the Minneapolis Red Jackets.

Tennessee 26, Kansas City 17
Game ball goes to: Roydell Williams caught four passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: Brodie Croyle threw two picks late in the game to end Kansas City’s chances of a comeback.

Baltimore 16, Miami 22 (OT)
Game ball goes to: Greg Camarillo scored the game-winning touchdown, a 64-yard pass from Cleo Lemon, to end Miami’s nightmare.
Key his Escalade: From playoff contenders last season, the Ravens have become the answer to a trivia question.

NY Jets 10, New England 20
Game ball goes to: With the Patriots aerial game grounded by the weather, Laurence Maroney rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Vegas odds makers failed to take the weather into account when setting the spread at +20 points.

Arizona 24, New Orleans 31
Game ball goes to: Drew Brees threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns to keep the Saints’ faint playoff hopes alive.
Key his Escalade: Reggie Bush rode the pine while Aaron Stecker rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacksonville 29, Pittsburgh 22
Game ball goes to: Fred Taylor rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown, his fourth consecutive 100-yard game.
Key his Escalade: David Garrard played a good game (197 yards passing, three touchdowns, one INT), but what was up with the pimpin’ suit at his post-game presser?

Green Bay 33, St. Louis 14
Game ball goes to: Brett Favre broke Dan Marino’s career passing record, throwing for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: Technically the Packers were on the road, but a banner hanging from the stands said it all, “Lambeau South.”

Atlanta 3, Tampa Bay 37
Game ball goes to: Micheal Spurlock made history, returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, a first for the Buccaneers franchise.
Ket hsi Escalade: Christ Redman completed four passes for a total of 34 yards.

Indianapolis 21, Oakland 14
Game ball goes to: Anthony Gonzalez caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: The Raiders had just 104 yards passing.

Philadelphia 10, Dallas 6
Game ball goes to: Brian Westbrook had 144 all-purpose yards but gave up a chance to score a touchdown when he smartly took a knee at the one-yard line, allowing the Eagles to run out the clock.
Key his Escalade: Tony Romo threw three picks and was harassed all day by the Eagles defense, and with Jessica Simpson watching from the stands.

Detroit 14, San Diego 51
Game ball goes to: LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles combined for 238 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: Jon Kitna threw five interceptions.

Washington 22, NY Giants 10
Game ball goes to: Clinton Portis carried the Redskins with 126 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Eli Manning threw 34 incomplete passes, but at least eight of those were dropped by his receivers.

St. Louis 10, Cincinnati 19
Game ball goes to: Rudi Johnson rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: Brock Berlin? Oh, the Rams were in trouble before they even got off the bus.

Dallas 28, Detroit 27
Game ball goes to: Jason Witten caught 15 passes for 138 yards, including the winning touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.
Key his Escalade: Paris Lenon had a chance to scoop up a fumble on the Cowboys final drive, but instead kicked the ball right to Kyle Kosier.

Oakland 7, Green Bay 38
Game ball goes to: Who says the Packers don’t have a running game? Ryan Grant busted loose for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: JaMarcus Russell, with a $50 million contract in his pocket, didn’t play in this game because it was too cold.

Tampa Bay 14, Houston 28
Game ball goes to: Sage Rosenfels, from that quarterback factory at Iowa State, threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: We can stop wondering about Ahman Green: Houston’s big off-season acquisition was put on IR this week after having played in six games.

Carolina 6, Jacksonville 37
Game ball goes to: Fred Taylor rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Key his Escalade: The Panthers really managed to win five games this year?

NY Giants 16, Philadelphia 13
Game ball goes to: Plaxico Burress caught seven passes for 136 yards and New York’s lone touchdown.
Key his Escalade: David Akers just missed a 57-yard field goal attempt that would have sent this one into overtime.

San Diego 23, Tennessee 17 (OT)
Game ball goes to: LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 146 yards and scored the walk-off touchdown in overtime.
Key his Escalade: Madden Curse? Vince Young threw for just 121 yards plus two picks.

Minnesota 27, San Francisco 7
Game ball goes to: Minnesota’s defense forced five turnovers, including a pick-six by defensive lineman Kevin Williams.
Key his Escalade: Adrian “All Day” Peterson struggled all day, rushing for just three yards on 14 carries.

Arizona 21, Seattle 42
Game ball goes to: Matt Hasselbeck threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: Kurt Warner threw five picks.

Pittsburgh 13, New England 34
Game ball goes to: Randy Moss caught two touchdown passes and played keep-away with the ball on a flea-flicker play that went for another Patriots TD.
Key his Escalade: If the vaunted Steelers defense can’t stop Brady McHunky and the New England passing attack, who can?

Kansas City 7, Denver 41
Game ball goes to: Brandon Marshall had 10 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Key his Escalade: The Chiefs managed just 16 yards rushing against the Broncos.

Cleveland 24, NY Jets 18
Game ball goes to: Joe Jurevicius caught only one pass the entire game, but twice he recovered the ball when the Jets tried an onside kick.
Key his Escalade: Where’s that Brady Quinn that was making such a fuss a while ago?

Indianapolis 44, Baltimore 20
Game ball goes to: Even with a banged up squad, Peyton Manning threw four touchdown passes.
Key his Escalade: Kyle Boller, who threw for just 132 yards and had three interceptions, was finally replaced by rookie Troy Smith; the Heisman Trophy winner threw for 33 yards and scored on a six-yard run.