Bolts beat Colts; Giants hand Cowboys Playoff Loss

San Diego Chargers 28 Indianapolis Colts 24
The surprising San Diego Chargers took it to the Indianapolis Colts yesterday afternoon, as they defeated them 28-24 in a surprising upset. The Colts and Bolts traded off scoring all game, but it was San Diego who prevailed in the end when a Peyton Manning pass slipped through the fingers of Dallas Clark on the Colts final drive of the game.

The Indianapolis Colts scored first on a Peyton Manning pass to Dallas Clark to give Indianapolis an early 7-0 lead. Then the Bolts returned the favor with a touchdown of their own. Vincent Jackson took a 14 yard pass from Phillip Rivers to tie the game in the second quarter. Indianapolis would score on a field goal with 5:10 left in the half to take a 10-7 lead. The field goal was a 46 yard kick, off the foot of Adam Vineteri.

In the third quarter the Bolts would take their first lead of the game with a 30 yard pass from Phillip Rivers to Chris Chambers giving San Diego a 13-10 lead. The Colts would answer back with a touchdown of their own and another three point lead. Peyton Manning would find Reggie Wayne in the end zone for a nine yard strike to give the Colts a 17-14 lead. However, the Chargers would answer back before the end of the third quarter with yet another touchdown. Phillip Rivers connected with Darren Sproles for a 56 yard pass, and a 21-17 Bolts lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Colts would score first and regain the lead 24-21. Peyton Manning would hit Anthony Gonzales for a 55 yard strike. That would be Indianapolis's final lead. San Diego would then score on a one yard run from Billy Volek with 4:50 left to play in the game and give the San Diego Chargers a 28-24 lead. Manning and his Colts were unable to answer the call and the Bolts win.

San Diego will now play the new England Patriots for the AFC Title game and the right to play in Super Bowl XLII.

New York Giants 21 Dallas Cowboys 17
In an epic East Division rival, the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17. This was a typical game between two clubs that know each other very well and love to knock the other out of the playoffs.

The New York Giants were the first to strike, as Amani Toomer was hit for a 54 yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Dallas Cowboys would answer back with 14 unanswered points and look as if they may take control of the Giants. Tony Romo would find Terrel Owens in the end zone for a five yard pass to tie the game; and later Marion Barber would run in a one yard touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. The Giants would then answer with a touchdown of their own when Amani Toomer was open in the end zone for a four yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to tie the game before the half.

The third quarter saw only the Cowboys score, as Nick Folk would kick a 34 yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 17-14 lead. New York would take the final lead of the game on a touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs one yard out. The Giants would have a 21-17 lead with 13:29 left to play in the game. New York's tough defense would not allow Dallas to score, and now the Giants will travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Championship.