Lightning Strikes Again: Bolts Beat Colts in Overtime Playoff Win

As improbable as this season has been for the Chargers, their chances become more probable as the weeks go on. Up against 2008 NFL MVP Peyton Manning and their Indianapolis Colts, the surging Chargers - only two weeks ago all but claimed dead in the water - tied the game at 17-17 with 30 seconds to go to bring the thrilling first-round playoff game into overtime in front of 70,000 raucous fans at Qualcomm Stadium last night.

Winning the toss, the Chargers kept the ball away from Manning in overtime, and with the help of key first downs by mighty mite Darren Sproles and all-world tight end Antonio Gates, and some costly penalties by the Colts defense, the Chargers prevailed when Sproles scampered in with a 22-yard touchdown run to end the game, 23-17.

The Chargers live for another playoff weekend, and await their destination (either Pittsburgh or Nashville) depending on the outcome of the Baltimore-Miami playoff game today. For more details about this thrilling win, read the re-cap here.