Jets Defense vs. Chargers Offense

The Jets defense against the potent Chargers offense is the money matchup of the day, especially the Jets defensive secondary against the Chargers receivers and tight ends. 

The Jets defense should keep a nickel back in the game, like Donald Strickland or Dwight Lowery, to cover Chargers’ tight end Antonio Gates. When not in nickel packages the Jets will most likely use Kerry Rhodes on Gates. Lito Sheppard will cover Malcom Floyd and receive some safety help over the top from Jim Leonhard or Rhodes. Darrelle Revis will cover Vincent Jackson.

The Chargers’ weapons in the passing game tower over the Jets who will cover them.

WR Vincent Jackson 6’5″ 230 lbs vs. CB Darrelle Revis 5’11″ 198 lbs
WR Malcom Floyd 6’5″ 225 lbs vs. CB Lito Sheppard 5’10″ 194 lbs
TE Antonio Gates 6’4″ 260 lbs vs. CB Donald Strickland 5’10″ 185 lbs or CB Dwight Lowery 5’11″ 198 lbs
S Jim Leonhard 5’8″ 186 lbs, S Kerry Rhodes 6’3″ 214 lbs
(all heights and weights from official team websites)

The Chargers have a major height and weight advantage over the Jets. The shear size of the Chargers should pose a problem for the Jets. If the Jets for some reason decide to cover Gates with a linebacker, they’ll get exploited. He’s too good of an athlete and too fast. The Jets will have a good shot at winning this game if they limit the Chargers’ passing game. Shutting them down will be a very daunting task. The Jet have to limit their catches, not let them get yards after the catch, and not miss tackles. These guys are big and throwing your body at their legs won’t cut it. The Jets’ defensive backs have to tackle soundly.

The Jets are athletic enough to keep the Chargers passing game under control, but shutting them down totally will be very difficult and is not foreseen. The Jets secondary against the Chargers receivers is the most exciting matchup of the game.