On January 14, 2007, the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers played an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The game is remembered for a play that occurred midway through the 4th quarter. On 4th and 5 with 6:25 remaining and the Chargers leading 21–13, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was intercepted at the Chargers' 30-yard line by safety Marlon McCree, only for McCree to be stripped of the ball shortly thereafter by wide receiver Troy Brown. Fellow wide receiver Reche Caldwell recovered the fumble, securing a new set of downs for the Patriots. The Patriots' reborn drive would end in a touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion, and the Patriots went on to win 24–21 after Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding missed a last-second 54-yard field goal.
Background
The Patriots entered the playoffs as the #4 seed with a 12–4 record, while the Chargers entered the playoffs as the #1 seed with a 14–2 record.
The Patriots, coming off a relatively disappointing 2005 campaign after winning 3 of the 4 previous Super Bowls, entered as the 4th seed after clinching the AFC East, their 3rd consecutive division title and 5th in 6 years. In the Wild-Card round, they defeated the division rival New York Jets to advance to the AFC Divisional Playoff round.
The Chargers entered the playoffs as the #1 seed after clinching the AFC West division, earning a first round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Their 14–2 record was both a franchise-best and the best in the NFL. They went a perfect 8–0 at home and entered the playoffs riding a 10-game winning streak. They had 11 Pro Bowlers and 6 All-Pros, headlined by running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who posted one of the greatest seasons by a running back in NFL history, with 2,323 yards from scrimmage and 31 touchdowns (28 rushing, 3 receiving). Tomlinson's achievements resulted in him being named MVP by a significant margin, securing 44 of the AP's 50 first-place votes. Taking into account all of the Chargers' team achievements, many pegged them as the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Game summary
The New England Patriots faced the San Diego Chargers, who were unbeaten at home in the regular season. The Chargers' roster included league MVP running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who broke several league records, nine Pro Bowlers, and five All-Pro players. However, four Chargers turnovers, three of which were converted into Patriots scoring drives, helped lead to a Chargers loss. San Diego lost despite outgaining the Patriots in rushing yards, 148–51 and total yards, 352–327, while also intercepting three passes from Tom Brady.
In the first quarter, after San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer opted to go for it on fourth and 11 instead of attempting a 47-yard field goal, quarterback Philip Rivers lost a fumble while being sacked by Mike Vrabel, setting up Stephen Gostkowski's 51-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the quarter. In the second quarter, Chargers receiver Eric Parker's 13-yard punt return set up a 48-yard scoring drive that ended with Tomlinson's 2-yard touchdown run, giving his team a 7–3 lead. Then, on the Patriots' next drive, linebacker Donnie Edwards intercepted a pass from Brady and returned it to the 41-yard line. But the Chargers ended up punting after Rivers was sacked on third down by defensive back Artrell Hawkins. Later in the quarter, Tomlinson rushed twice for 13 yards and took a screen pass 58 yards to the Patriots' 6-yard line, setting up a 6-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner with 2:04 left in the half. New England responded with a 72-yard scoring drive, with receiver Jabar Gaffney catching four passes for 46 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown reception with six seconds left in the half, cutting their deficit to 14–10.