Week 7: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ NEW YORK JETS

Vegas Line: Jets + 2

Rob’s Line: Jets + 1.5

This promises to be a tremendous matchup between a team that have pretty much coasted all season so far and one that’s fighting for its playoff life in a tough division.
The San Diego Chargers have barely reached third gear in accumulating a 4-1 record and that solitary defeat came in New England so no disgrace there and you do sense that a chance at revenge could be looming come January, even at this early(ish) stage. The New York Jets won a messy one on Monday Night against the Dolphins and they’ll be mightily relieved at being afforded the opportunity to remain at home after a short week.
What most certainly isn’t short is the distance the Chargers will have had to travel for this one, but they’re coming off a bye week so that particular fact shouldn’t have a bearing.
The most fascinating aspect of this contest is the matchup of Charger pass offense against Jet pass desense. The latter’s two standout cornerbacks, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, both have three interceptions apiece on the season, but will have their hands full against Chargers’ receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd and the running back duo of Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert coming out of the backfield. In fact, Tolbert leads the team with 28 catches. And all of this is without even mentioning tight end Antonio Gates, who may or may not suit up for this one. Should he play, the Jets will find themselves up against arguably the most potent receiving unit in the league.
From the Jets’ viewpoint, QB Mark Sanchez rather boldly predicted after Monday night’s victory that the team’s back on track; I’ll presume he was referring to the offense, the offense that he’s supposedly running. He was booed mercilessly during the Jets’ first four drives on Monday night and they didn’t pick up a first down until the second quarter. Not that I care a great deal for the Jets, but Sanchez has taken this team to the AFC Championship Game in each of the last two seasons so the booing, as loud as it was, is disconcerting; New York is an incredibly unforgiving city when it comes to its sports teams. Still, Sanchez is no fool and is paid handsomely for not suffering them easily either. He’ll survive, I’m quite sure!
I don’t see the Jets troubling the Chargers here…yes, they’re at home and the crowd will be on a high after Monday night, but they are still on a short week, albeit at home. San Diego coming off a bye can go either way, but the fact that they weren’t firing on all cylinders anyway shouldn’t change much as they approach this one. As good as the Jets’ secondary is, I like the Chargers’ offensive firepower more, particularly if Gates plays.
I would like to draw your attention to one stat that stands out in relation to the Chargers D, should you be thinking that the Jets picked up some nice momentum against Miami, a stat that was brought to me by somebody with his finger on the NFL Fantasy pulse. Jebus knows football and try this for size: San Diego’s defense ranks fourth overall in the league in yards allowed per game (293.2), but translating that same defense into fantasy terms, they’re 30th.
Oh, how this sport transfixes us. San Diego to win by at least a field goal.