New York Jets at San Diego Chargers: What to Watch For

What a crazy week it was for the New York Jets. Oh wait, well, maybe not. Many people will argue it was a typical week for the New York Jets. It started out with Rex Ryan claiming that he would have won two superbowl titles with all the talent on the Chargers Norv Turner has had (I don’t think he’s the only one who feels that way, but you shouldn’t say that out-loud). Eventually he called up Norv Turner and apologized. Turner didn’t take the comments too kindly. Then on Friday Darelle Revis got in a debate with WFAN’s Mike Francesa. It sounded worse on radio, to me, then it did watching it on t.v. as I was watching that as it happened. Francesa looked to be in a joking manner, with a grin on his face, but Revis was annoyed when Francesa continued to insist that his pick six on Monday night vs the Dolphins should have been called a pass interference. What does all this mean? Nothing really.

On the field there is a real game being played between two teams that had a lot of expectations heading into the season, but could see their season slip away if their play doesn’t improve. The San Diego Chargers are being chased by the suddenly focused and talented Raiders (4-2 to the Chargers 4-1) the Jets on the other hand are in a division with Tom Brady and the surprisingly good Buffalo Bills. A loss to either team (especially the Jets) could be very troubling moving forward. What both teams have in common: neither is that effective at rushing the passer.

Let’s take a look at some key matchups while focusing on the younger players.

Corey Liuget vs Wayne Hunter

Liuget was San Diego’s first round draft pick and he has played pretty well this year, he’ll be going up against Wayne Hunter who is not making any Jets fans forget Damien Woody. San Diego has trouble pressuring the passer (8 sacks this year as a team), which could be trouble for them vs the Jets. the Chargers are ranked #2 in the league in yards per game through the air, but whht they need to do is get in Sanchez face, when that happens is accuracy becomes very erratic.

Ryan Matthews vs the Jets linebackers

Last year Ryan Matthews was questioned for his lack of passion at times, but this year he came into the season a man on a mission and has really, really played well. While the Chargers passing offense has struggled to find a #3 receiver. Matthews has 413 yards on the ground and another 261 through the air. Matthews has become the Chargers #3 WR. The Jets are pretty awful at covering running backs out of the backfield the past few seasons, Matthews could be in store for a big game with his good hands and plus top end speed.

Jeremy Kerley as the #3 WR

A lot of people questioned whether or not Kerley was a receiver in the league or simply a return man. The early returns on Kerely look promising for him as a receiver. In the last two games he has 5 receptions with a touchdown, as he’s taken over for the recently jettisoned Derrick Mason. Kerely is really quick, but undersized at 5’9 188 pounds.

Kyle Wilson vs, oh wait the Chargers don’t have a #3 WR

For you mockers out there consider throwing the Chargers a WR early. Malcolm Floyd has 12 receptions this year, Vincent Jackson has 23 and the next most receptions for a Chargers wide receiver is 7! That’s pretty awful. The Chargers have thrown a ridiculous amount of passes to their running backs (48 combined between Tolbert and Matthews and another 6 to boot to Jacob Hester). I was a big fan of Kyle Wilson heading into last year’s draft, but today’s game might not be much of a test.

The emergence of Donald Butler

Donald Butler has really played well this year racking up 32 tackles, a sack, and an interception. I’ll be watching him play to see if he can keep it up. If the Jets are serious about going back tot he ground and pound I could see him racking up a lot of tackles in today’s’ game.

Joe McKnight the Return man

Last year the Chargers special teams were…well, special. I haven’t seen enough of them this year to know if they are truly better, or just not getting on Sportscenter as much. That’s what I’ll be watching for this week because Joe McKnight is really coming on as a return man.

Other game things:

Philip Rivers is playing the worst football in his career. He has more INT than touchdowns (6 to 7). The Jets can really take advantage of quarterbacks who are careless with the football, he’ll have to play better, and he should with the return of Antonio Gates. Rivers has really missed having another weapon outside of Vincent Jackson.

Is Larry English officially a bust yet? A couple of weeks ago I thought English might have had his breakout game with a two sack performance vs the Dolphins, but it didn’t turn into anything. A big game vs the Jets could ease some pressure of him and the Chargers who are desperately looking for a pass rusher.

Tomlinson vs his former team. Ladanian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is getting the start today I believe because of how poorly Greene has played. Will Tomlison be able to make his former team pay for exiling him two years ago?

Thoughts?

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