Jets vs. Chargers; How They Match Up

When the Jets and Chargers meet Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs all eyes will be on the battle between the Chargers offense and the Jets defense. This is the classic strength vs. strength match-up. The Chargers were among the regular season leaders in most offensive categories and the Jets defense led the league in total defense, passing defense, and points allowed.

The Chargers have a slew of play-makers on offense starting with their quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers has an arsenal of weapons to get the ball to. He can hand the ball off to LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles or he can throw the ball to his three main targets; Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates.

Darrelle Revis will match up on Vincent Jackson and the shutdown corner should be able to keep Jackson in check like he did against so many of the NFL’s top receivers this year. Malcolm Floyd will get attention from Lito Sheppard and they’ll send some safety help that way while Revis is left alone on an island with Jackson. The match-up I’m worried about is Antonio Gates against whoever the Jets throw in there to try to stop him. Jets’ safeties Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard will have a tough time covering Gates as would any linebacker. The Jets may use a nickel back like Donald Strickland, who is back from injury, to try to cover Gates. This opens up the run game for San Diego. The Jets let Cedric Benson rush for 169 yards against them last week and with one less linebacker on the field, the Chargers may be able to have the same kind of success. LaDainian Tomlinson is not the same player he once was and the Chargers running game averaged only 88.9 yards per game in the regular season, but they can still hurt you on the ground if you’re not careful. This puts more pressure on the Jets defensive line to get a good push up front to stop the run while have their nickel package in. 

On offense, the key for the Jets is the same as it has been for a while; pound it on the ground and don’t turn the ball over. The emergence of Dustin Keller in the win over the Bengals is a good sign for the Jets. Keller will likely be a big part of the passing game again on Sunday. Similar to Gates, he’ll have to be accounted for by the Chargers defense after catching three balls for 99 yards and a touchdown last week and because of this the Jets should have a better time running the ball. He is also blocking better which bodes well for the Jets’ two-headed rushing attack. 

While all eyes will be on the Chargers offense against the Jets defense, the game could be determined because of what happens when the Jets offense and Chargers defense are on the field. The Jets’ rushing attack will have to be in full force and the Chargers didn’t stop the run too well this year. They allowed an average of 117.8 rushing yards per game. As long as the Jets have some success on the ground and don’t have to take the training wheels off Sanchez because of a stuffed running game, they should be able to use play-action pass and move the ball down the field against the Chargers. The Jets would like to do the same things on offense that they’ve been doing the last few weeks, but that all depends on the success of the running game. If Sanchez is forced to drop back and throw often, that may pose a problem for Gang Green.

Chargers X-factor: Antonio Gates
Revis will shutdown Jackson and Floyd should be covered well by Sheppard and a safety. Antonio Gates becomes the X-factor in this game. If one of these guys is to beat you, let it be Floyd, not Gates. If Gates is making plays then the Jets defense is susceptible to the run. He has big play ability and if the Jets can’t control him, they’ll be in trouble.

Jets X-factor: Offensive Line
As long as their is room for Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene to run the ball, their offense will move the ball down the field and they’ll benefit by using play-action pass. The offensive line also needs to give Sanchez time to scan the field when he drops back to pass.

The Chargers will win this game if…
On defense – They stuff the run. Make Sanchez beat you with his arm.
On offense – Rivers breaks 300 yards passing which means one, or a combination, of their three big targets of Jackson, Floyd, or Gates has a big game.

The Jets will win this game if…
On defense – Their nickel package can stop the run. If they can shut down the run in the nickel and have Antonio Gates covered, Philips will be forced to make some tough throws into tight coverage which could lead to turnovers.
On offense – They have success running the ball, their bread and butter.

The Chargers enter the game hot on an 11-game winning streak, but the Jets’ number one rated defense has the opportunity to cool them off. If there is one team left in the playoffs that has the ability to stop the Chargers offense, it’s the Jets.