The Colts remember all too well what San Diego did to them last season. The Chargers just hope they can do it again before their playoff hopes completely vanish.

In 2007, the Chargers edged Indy in the regular season, 23-21, by picking off Peyton Manning an astonishing six times. Then, in the playoffs, they came back to beat Indy 28-24 in even more of a shocker, because by the fourth quarter both RB LaDainian Tomlinson and QB Philip Rivers were gone. Backup Billy Volek led the Chargers to victory in that one.

It would be a surprise if the Chargers win this one, too. LT said this week that he thought the Chargers’ playoff hopes were almost over because of all the opportunities they have missed this season. The glittery running back is still on pace for 1,000 yards, but he’s mired in the worst season of his eight-year NFL career. San Diego lost an 11-10 squeaker to Pittsburgh last week and probably needs to win five of its final six to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Colts, meanwhile, finally seem to be getting it together. They have won three in a row, including last week’s 33-27 win over Houston when they gained a Colts-esque 302 yards — in the second half. Manning, for once, didn’t have the whole offensive burden in that game. Although Indy came into the game last in the NFL in rushing, Joseph Addai finally cracked the 100-yard barrier (for the first time in 2008) and the Colts piled up 154 rushing yards overall.

The Colts defense has been very vulnerable this season — the team has scored 224 points and given up 224 in 10 games. Rivers could have a very good game — he leads the NFL with 21 TD passes and has utilized TE Antonio Gates very well. The Chargers will be very up for this prime-time showcase and have won 18 of their past 20 games at home.

But Manning has thrown seven TD passes and zero interceptions in the Colts’ past three wins and looks like he’s finally distancing himself from those preseason injuries that slowed his start. This one will probably be worth staying up late for — a high-scoring contest likely not decided until deep in the fourth quarter.

San Diego by 3