Los Angeles Chargers: Game Preview
Edition #513
Good morning!
Welcome to gameday. The Jets will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games tonight when Justin Herbert and the Chargers come to town.
In many ways, the Chargers are the mirror image of the Jets. They have an elite unit with bags of talent on one side of the ball, and severe problems on the other side.
Monday’s edition is always free and available to everyone, so if you know someone who you think may enjoy TJW, today’s is a good one to share.
The great news ahead of the game is that both Joe Tippmann and Laken Tomlinson have recovered from their injuries. Only Duane Brown and Chazz Surratt have been ruled out, but Allen Lazard is a concern considering he was added to the injury report so late.
Garrett Wilson has been talking to the official site, and he confirmed the Jets are going to try some new things this week: "We're not where we want to be on third down, and I put that on my plate not being open when it matters most. I have to be better when they [opposing defences] know we have to pass the ball. I feel that will help as well if I'm doing my job and 100 percent open. That might open up something else to give Zach quicker looks, so we're not taking sacks on third down. We're going to try some new things this week and see how that works."
Some British guy wrote a piece for the Jets UK website on the special teams excelling…and it’s not a bad read, you can check it out HERE.
It was a perfect Sunday for the Jets in terms of their divisional aspiration. The Dolphins lost 21-14 to the Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany. Then the Patriots were beaten 20-17 by the Commanders before the Bills were downed 24-18 on Sunday Night Football. Here’s an updated look at the AFC East, showing it’s really up for grabs.
Quinton Jefferson has been talking about Aaron Rodgers "Anytime he's in the building, it is great, man, His energy, his aura, it's dope. We feel him. Even when he was on the sideline on Sunday, man, you feel the juice and love it."We see him in spurts. So we see him last Saturday [in the locker room] and he's walking like nothing happened. It's just a testament to the work he's put in. That's inspiring even in itself. His drive to get back out here with us, man, he a true competitor and true leader."
There was also a story that Rodgers spoke to Bryce Huff on the sideline of last week’s game against the Giants and told him that when pressured Taylor tries to go straight through the middle, and a couple of plays later Huff sacked Taylor. That’s pretty awesome.
This one from Rich Cimini - The Jets 23% conversion rate on third down is historically bad, in fact, it’s the worst since 1978 when it first started getting tracked. The second worst was the 2005 San Francisco 49ers (24%). “On third-and-short (3 yards or less), they're an abysmal 3-for-16 (19%), which ranks 32nd. In fact, the next-closest team isn't even in the same area code -- the Cleveland Browns at 46%.”
The Jets defence has run the gauntlet of elite offences to start the season and tonight will be no different. Heading into the weekend the Chargers possessed a top 10 unit that’s absolutely loaded with talent.
It all starts with Justin Herbert, but there is so much more to this offence. Austin Ekeler is an absolute star and Joshua Kelley has plenty of talent on the ground.
Through the air, you have Keenan Allen who’s still one of the best in the business, Allen already has 54 receptions for 643 yards and 4 touchdowns. Once you’re in the red zone you need to be aware of Ekeler out of the backfield and Allen of course, but also tight end duo Gerald Everett and Donald Parham. Parham only has 13 catches on the season, but 4 of them have done for touchdowns.
Mike Williams and Josh Palmer are threats and although not an elite unit, the offensive line is led by one of the best tackles in football in Rashawn Slater. Zion Johnson is having a positive start to the year…but the Jets will have possibilities to exploit the right side of the line. The combination of Will Clapp, Jamaree Salyer and right tackle Trey Pipkins III is vulnerable.
Here are some key stats about the offensive production of the Chargers:
24.9 points per game (9th)
66.67% success percentage in the red zone (4th)
41.05% success on third downs. (12th)
58.33% success on fourth down (8th)
258.9 passing yards per game (6th)
5.60% QB sacked percentage (7th best)
103.6 rushing yards per game (22nd)
3.9 yards per rush attempt (20th)
29:10 average time of possession (20th)
18.5% pressure allowed (23rd)
15 sacks allowed (8th)
973 yards after receptions (6th)
The Chargers are an interesting team, they have a quick-action offence. They don’t dominate possession but they’re very good at scoring points. They have an outstanding RB, but they’re a pass-first team that moves the ball through the air. They are also a team that protects the QB well, aided by Herbert’s athleticism, but they have some of the lowest run-blocking grades, especially at centre with Will Clapp.
One thing you need to be aware of is the YAC potential on this offence.
If there’s one thing you need to do against the Chargers, it’s ensure your tackling is on point. One missed tackle will lead to huge gains.
Defensively it’s a completely different ball game. The Chargers are absolutely there for the taking if Nathaniel Hackett and Zach Wilson can both create and execute the game plan.
When you look at the stats, it’s clear why the Chargers have the same record as we do:
Points allowed per game: 24 (24th)
Opponent red-zone conversion: 57.14% (21st)
Opponent third down conversion: 37.65% (13th)
Opponent yards per game: 390.9 (31st)
Opponent yards per play: 5.9 (30th)
Opponent rushing yards per game: 93.4 (6th)
Opponent rushing yards per play: 3.8 (10th)
Opponent passing yards per game: 297.4 (32nd)
How you beat the Chargers is you move the ball through the air. 60% of all touchdowns against the Chargers have come via the pass, and so this is really a game where Zach needs to be trusted to make some plays down the field. We are going against the worst passing defence in football in terms of yardage.
We won’t get a lot of short fields to work with, the Chargers have given the ball away just 6 times this year, only the Texans have fewer giveaways (4) and they’ve taken the ball away 12 times, 6 interceptions and 6 fumbles. So taking care of the ball is an absolute must.
The Chargers will do what most teams do against the Jets, they’ll look to take the running game away and as you can see by the rushing yards per play and per game, LA actually have a top 10 unit in terms of run defence. So attacking them through the air is the route to success.
In fact, unleashing Zach’s ability to push the ball down the field should be a priority. The Chargers defense has allowed 48 explosive plays this season including 30 passing plays of 20+ yards. That is absolutely something that needs to be exploited with Garrett Wilson on the outside in particular.
The Chargers obviously have some very talented players to work with, Khalil Mack leads the team with 30 pressures and Joey Bosa is always a problem. Morgan Fox is dangerous with the internal pressure and Asante Samuel Jr is a very good corner. Still, the Jets have to like their chances of moving the ball, especially with Joe Tippmann coming back in.
David, I posted this about the time you and your family were sick and was unaware that you weren't checking the chats then. Can u please read and reply. Thanks. Hi guys, I now live in the Philippines. For the last number of years, I have watched the Jets games as well as the Giants ( I root for both though the Jets are my team), on the NFL Game Pass Package. For most of the year we are 12 hours ahead of the US East coast. A great part of the subscription is being able to watch the game in 40 minutes, thereby avoiding all commercials. This has worked great until this season. The NFL for whatever reason transitioned over to DAZN this year. In the past, using the 1p games as an example, the games would be concluded in roughly 3 hours (4p US time, 4A Monday my time). It would then typically take a couple of hours for them to re-format the game into the 40 minute version. I wake up around 6A and I could usually watch it then. Now, for whatever reason, this isn't happening. Today , I planned on watching the 1p Giants game. It is now 845 Monday night here and the 40 minute version is still not up, roughly about 16 hours later. Does anybody have the NFL game pass package. David, knowing that you live in the UK , how do you watch the games? Do you watch them in their entirety including commercials ? I am really very unhappy with what's going on with this. I would like to directly contact the NFL as DAZN customer service has not been very helpful. Does anybody have a contact number to reach somebody at the NFL or email address if not the former. Much thanks.
There are games that define players and games that define coaches.
If Hackett comes out with his prevent offense tonight keeping the Jets from winning, then Saleh MUST change play callers. The game plan and plays called against the Giants was an abomination.
Zach has his faults but he was working with what Hackett was calling.
To go through the litany of Hackett’s weaknesses as a play caller is comparable to the little boy who cried wolf. Nobody in the Jet organization listens or if they do, they are walking on eggshells so not to offend Rodgers.
Consistently Empty back fields on 3rd and short, no play action, leaning on Cobb and Cook, the list goes on and on.
I would like to know who was calling plays during the Chiefs game, because he has quietly disappeared.
Pat Leahy, an all time, Jet. Missed one of the shortest field goals in Jet history on November 19th, 1978.
In the 1978 season, the Jet organization was embroiled in a quarterback controversy. Walt Michaels was pissed off that Matt Robinson didn’t tell him that he had injured his shoulder wrestling with another player in his hotel room.
He went out and played totally inefficient. The Jets lost a game they were favored in. Michaels benched him in favor of Todd.
Todd played so so, but a lot of fans were Robinson fans. Playing home against the 8-3 Pats, the 6-5 Jets needed the win. Todd played horribly, throwing 3 interceptions. The Jets were down 19-10 in the fourth quarter when Michaels put Robinson in. First drive right down the field, touchdown. Robinson’s next drive as time is expiring quickly, sets the Jets up for a 19 yard field goal with seconds on the clock.
Leahy missed it. Jets lose 19-17.
Ironically, you barely heard or read about it because back then the NFL had no problem scheduling the Jets and Giants at the same time, sometimes both with home games.
As Leahy was missing his kick, the most famous fumble in Giant history was happening at the Meadowlands.
The Piscarcik fumble, Herm Edwards picking up the fumble as time is expiring, galloping for a game winning touchdown. Final score, same as the Jets,19-17.
That fumble changed Giant history, positively. The fans and the media destroyed the team in print and on local news. No internet, no ESPN back then.
It set in motion the Giants becoming an NFL power.
Pat Leahy was spared the scorn of missing the chip shot. A kick that might have changed Jet history.
Pat was almost always automatic but not on that November afternoon.