Published January 13, 2015
The San Diego Chargers gave Tom Brady one chance too many, and that's all the cagey playoff veteran needed.
Brady and the New England Patriots shocked league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, winning 24-21 to move within one win of their fourth Super Bowl trip in six seasons.
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Brady overcame three interceptions, his career playoff high, to lead the Patriots to 11 points in 3:26 late in the game.
The winning points came on a 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski with 1:10 left. That capped a 72-yard drive highlighted by a 49-yard pass to Reche Caldwell, who left the Chargers as a free agent after last season.
With the Patriots trailing 21-13, Brady threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to the wide-open Caldwell with 4:36 to play. The Patriots tied it on a tricky 2-point conversion, snapping the ball directly to running back Kevin Faulk, who was standing next to Brady and ran through the middle of the line.
San Diego's Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding was short on a 54-yard field goal try with 3 seconds left.
It was a crunching end to San Diego's season, and could lead to coach Marty Schottenheimer's ouster.
Behind league MVP Tomlinson, the Chargers went an NFL-best 14-2, including going 8-0 at home in the regular season.
Schottenheimer fell to 5-13 in the postseason, with Cleveland, Kansas City and San Diego. Although he has a year left on his contract, at more than $3 million, he and general manager A.J. Smith have had an icy relationship for months.
Bears Beat Seahawks 27-24
Robbie Gould was good again, and now the Chicago Bears are one victory from the Super Bowl.
Gould kicked a 49-yard field goal 4:58 into overtime Sunday, and the Bears held off the determined Seattle Seahawks for a 27-24 victory.
The Bears will play the New Orleans Saints next Sunday in the NFC championship game.
Seattle got the ball first in overtime, but Chicago's Israel Idonije forced an 18-yard punt with a strong rush, and the Bears moved in.
Rex Grossman, criticized for erratic play during the regular season, hit Rashied Davis for a third-down pass of 30 yards to the Seattle 36, and the Bears moved into position for the winning points.
Gould, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and is now headed to the Pro Bowl, hit the 49-yarder, setting off a wild celebration at Soldier Field.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/nfl-playoffs-patriots-stun-chargers-bears-top-seahawks