Los Angeles Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2007 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2007 NFL season on 2008-01-13, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 28–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +8.92 total EPA, and +3.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+33.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (3:02) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 44-D.Clark to LAC 18 for 16 yards (32-E.Weddle). PENALTY on LAC-95-S.Phillips, Face Mask (15 Yards), 9 yards, enforced at LAC 18.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +21.13 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
2. 2 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +10.87 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Wayne · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +8.95 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +8.92 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Clark · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +8.86 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Chambers · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.28 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Gonzalez · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +6.81 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Sproles · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.60 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Indianapolis Colts — D. Clark (P. Manning pass) (Q1 54:20)
• Los Angeles Chargers — V. Jackson (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 38:44)
• Los Angeles Chargers — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 26:39)
• Indianapolis Colts — R. Wayne (P. Manning pass) (Q3 18:19)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Sproles (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 15:10)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Gonzalez (P. Manning pass) (Q4 10:16)
• Los Angeles Chargers — B. Volek (Q4 4:54)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 35:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the LAC 25 (Q1 54:20) — (9:20) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 44-D.Clark for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 54:13) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the IND 14 (Q2 38:44) — (8:44) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 38:38) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the LAC 28 (Q2 35:14) — (5:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the IND 30 (Q3 26:39) — (11:39) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 89-C.Chambers for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 26:33) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the LAC 9 (Q3 18:19); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 17:53) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the IND 56 (Q3 15:10) — (:10) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 15:00) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the LAC 55 (Q4 10:16); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 10:07) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q4 4:54) — (4:54) 7-B.Volek up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 4:50) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 44-D.Clark to LAC 18 for 16 yards (32-E.Weddle). PENALTY on LAC-95-S.Phillips, Face Mask (15 Yards), 9 yards, enforced at LAC 18. [WPA +33.2% · EPA +3.70]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 2:06) — (2:06) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete short middle to 29-J.Addai [56-S.Merriman]. [WPA -31.8% · EPA -2.88]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 10:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 11-A.Gonzalez for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. San Diego challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 10:07.) [WPA +31.7% · EPA +5.79]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 15:10) — (:10) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.9% · EPA +5.60]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 22:10) — (7:10) 18-P.Manning pass short middle intended for 36-K.Keith INTERCEPTED by 32-E.Weddle at LAC 2. 32-E.Weddle to LAC 2 for no gain (63-J.Saturday). [WPA -19.8% · EPA -3.64]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 10:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 11-A.Gonzalez for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. San Diego challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 10:07.) [WPA +31.7% · EPA +5.79]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 15:10) — (:10) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.9% · EPA +5.60]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 51:25) — (6:25) 17-P.Rivers pass short right intended for 84-C.Davis INTERCEPTED by 26-K.Hayden at IND 23. 26-K.Hayden ran ob at IND 24 for 1 yard. San Diego challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.73]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 44-D.Clark to LAC 18 for 16 yards (32-E.Weddle). PENALTY on LAC-95-S.Phillips, Face Mask (15 Yards), 9 yards, enforced at LAC 18. [WPA +33.2% · EPA +3.70]

Quarterback report card

P.Manning led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 51 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +8.92 total EPA
• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 22 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +15.4% CPOE · +0.96 EPA/play · +21.13 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Indianapolis Colts: 10 drives, +8.42 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +15.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 54:20 · LAC 25 · Score 0-6
   (9:20) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 44-D.Clark for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 54:13 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
3. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 38:44 · IND 14 · Score 6-7
   (8:44) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 38:38 · IND 2 · Score 7-7
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
5. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 35:14 · LAC 28 · Score 7-10
   (5:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
6. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 26:39 · IND 30 · Score 13-10
   (11:39) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 89-C.Chambers for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 26:33 · IND 2 · Score 14-10
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 18:19 · LAC 9 · Score 14-16
   (3:19) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 87-R.Wayne pushed ob at LAC 2 for 7 yards (29-D.Florence). Indianapolis challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and
9. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 17:53 · LAC 2 · Score 14-17
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
10. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 15:10 · IND 56 · Score 20-17
    (:10) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 15:00 · IND 2 · Score 21-17
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
12. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 10:16 · LAC 55 · Score 21-23
    (10:16) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 11-A.Gonzalez for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. San Diego challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was U
13. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 10:07 · LAC 2 · Score 21-24
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
14. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 4:54 · IND 1 · Score 27-24
    (4:54) 7-B.Volek up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 4:50 · IND 2 · Score 28-24
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.