SAN DIEGO (12-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS (13-3)

WHEN: Sunday, 11 a.m. MST
WHERE: RCA Dome, Indianapolis
TV: CBS

The potential absence of Antonio Gates because of a dislocated big toe — he is listed as doubtful could prove significant, if not a fatal blow to the Chargers’ hopes. If Gates can’t recover, Indianapolis’ safeties and outside linebackers will be free to adapt to whatever San Diego tosses their way. If the Chargers focus upon the run, they can creep forward and use some “eight in the box” formations upon the snap. If San Diego opts to go outside and get Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson more involved, they can rejigger their focus accordingly.

“Well, it’s going to make it vital that we get it started if Antonio is not able to go, because obviously we’re losing a weapon,” Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “Antonio attracts a lot of attention. And so not having him, then a lot of attention is going to go moreso on the running game. And so it’s just going to make it that much more important to establish it.”

The potential is there; Indianapolis’ run defense was a fairly pedestrian 15th in league rankings this year. But with Gates likely out, there’s little reason for the Colts to play San Diego honest down the middle. Look for them to attack Tomlinson, Michael Turner and anyone else who carries the football.

Above all, though, I can’t extricate their Week 10 meeting at Qualcomm Stadium from my mind, and the circumstances that defined it.