Question of the Day: Impact performer in Indy?

More "Questions": Tuesday

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who have combined to win three league MVP trophies over the previous four seasons, will command a great deal of attention during Sunday's AFC divisional matchup. Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole, Michael Silver and Charles Robinson give their take on another performer who is likely to have a tremendous impact during the contest.

AFTER PEYTON AND LT, WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER IN THIS MATCHUP AND WHY?

Cole: Give safety Bob Sanders, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, all the respect in the world, but even he's not as important as San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman. In 2005, Merriman was part of a dominating performance by the Chargers at Indianapolis, getting two sacks and seven tackles overall as San Diego handed the Colts their first loss of the season after a 13-0 start. Merriman is one of the rare edge rushers in the league who can get to Manning faster than Manning can get rid of the ball, at least enough times to make Manning uncomfortable. Over his past six games, Merriman has eight sacks.

Silver: With all due respect to Jason Cole – well, as much respect as I can offer a man who attended a college that didn't give out F's – he has the wrong Shaun. A Chargers pass rusher is indeed the next most important player in this matchup, but it's Shaun Phillips, the less heralded but more dangerous outside linebacker of the team's talented pair. Unlike the streaky Merriman, who can go large chunks of games without reminding you that he's on the field, the relentless, rangy Phillips is everywhere, all the time. Both Merriman and Phillips will have to be hugely disruptive – and produce some turnovers – for San Diego to have a chance. I'm saying Phillips is more likely to be the game-changer.

Robinson: Two players who likely won't touch the football even once in this game? I'm afraid … not. While it's important to get pressure on Manning, it's Philip Rivers who absolutely has to perform well to give San Diego a shot. Take a look at Rivers' numbers over the last month, and you will see the guy who has been the difference-maker. This is going to be a high-scoring game, period. With Indianapolis' defense focusing on Tomlinson, it will be Rivers who has to come up big against the Colts' tough secondary to give San Diego a shot.