Jets v. Chargers Pregame

The Jets fly to San Diego to play in their biggest game since the devastating loss at Pittsburgh many years ago.  As a Jets fan, that game (and Doug Brien's missed field goals) defines what it has been like to be a Jets fan over at least the last 10 years.  They build you up slowly only to deflate you with inexplicable play.  However, the "Same Old Jets" moniker has been put to rest so far with this Jets team as they have fought back all season long to stay in the playoff hunt.  The Jets come into this game extremely hot winning 5 of their last 6 games.  All the talk about "lack of competition" should be gone as the Jets have made the playoffs with the #1 ranked rushing attack and the #1 ranked overall defense.

What to watch for....

• Watch the weather in this one.  The last time I checked there was a 20% chance of rain tonight which could really help the Jets.  The Chargers rely on the passing attack and the Jets are the best in the league at stopping that.  The ability to slow down that facet of their offense in any way will be extremely beneficial.

• Who is the tougher team?  The Jets come into this game extremely confident that they are the more physical team and the numbers seem to indicate that.  The Jets excel at playing defense and running the ball while the Chargers excel at passing down field.  This matchup couldn't get much better for the Jets as they are in a position to shut down what the Chargers do best.

• The last time the Jets played a playoff game in San Diego the crowd played a huge factor (although the Jets still won).  The Jets players at that time said that they were extremely loud through the entire game.  With a rookie quarterback playing for the Jets they will have to do something to take the crowd out of the game early.

Who to watch for...

• As it has been with the Jets all year Mark Sanchez and his ability to protect the ball is the X-Factor.  Last week he played a near flawless game and the Jets running attack and defense did the rest of the work.  If the Jets want to have any chance to win this at all Sanchez is going to need to have his throws limited and kept simple.

• Dwight Lowery and Donald Strickland will both be active for this one and will have the extremely difficult task of covering some of San Diego's very good receivers.  The Chargers have a lot of weapons (most notably Sproles and Gates) who these two are going to have to cover.

• Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones will once again spearhead a running attack which needs to eat up clock and keep the Chargers high powered offense off the field.  The Chargers have struggled in stopping the run all season and if one of these two guys can get going it could be a long day for them.

Game Thoughts:

This Jets team has surprised me all year.  I came into the year expecting 8-8 or 9-7 (Can't remember which one I predicted) but I never thought that they could make a serious playoff run in Ryan's and Sanchez's first year.  However, behind a stellar defense and a great running attack the Jets are looking to book themselves a trip to Indianapolis to see the Colts.

Game Prediction:

Chargers: 24
Jets- 13