RZ83 Week 9 Gameday Preview - Chargers vs Jets
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Red Zone Gameday Preview - S83 Week 9
Los Angeles Chargers (6-1) @ New York Jets (4-3)
Vegas Line: Chargers (-4.5)
Welcome to the Red Zone Gameday preview, where we take a look at tonight's primetime matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Jets, which will be broadcasted by Jake Allen & Mike Mojica.
Storylines aplenty in this matchup, as we see two of the top AFC teams facing off under the lights. Let's take a deep dive into this showdown to see who may have the edge.
Team Previews
Los Angeles Chargers (6-1) - Power Ranking #3
Leading Passer: Justin Herbert (1822 Yards, 12 TD, 9 INT, 67% Completion)
Leading Rusher: Austin Ekeler (669 Yards, 8 TDs, 6.4 YPC)
Leading Receiver: Keenan Allen (38 Rec, 559 Yards, 6 TDs)
Sack Leader: Joey Bosa (3 Sacks, 8 TFLs)
Interception Leader: Derwin James (4 INTs)
Last Game: 35-30 W vs Chicago Bears (5-4 Record)
Notable Injuries: N/A
New York Jets (4-3) - Power Ranking #16
Leading Passer: Aaron Rodgers (1612 Yards, 7 TDs, 15 INTs, 55% Completion)
Leading Rusher: Dalvin Cook (444 Yards, 4 TDs, 5.2 YPC)
Leading Receiver: Davante Adams (38 Rec, 385 Yards, 2 TDs)
Sack Leader: John Franklin-Myers (7.5 Sacks, 9 TFLs)
Interception Leader: C.J. Mosley/Sauce Gardner (2 INTs)
Last Game: 45-14 L vs New York Giants (6-3 Record)
Notable Injuries: Chuck Clark (S - 79 OVR), Connor McGovern (C - 77 OVR)
One Big Question
Can Justin Herbert have a big game in primetime?
In the Chargers last three games (2-1), Justin Herbert has thrown 4 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and is averaging 220 yards per game. For his standards, this is low. Since the bye week, the Chargers have played in two one score games in which they won, and lost a 9 point game to Kansas City. The alarming game was an 8 point victory over a bad Cowboys team.
The Chargers defense appears to be in a funk, so Justin Herbert will need to step up in primetime. The Jets pass defense is #1 in Red Zone, allowing only 175 pass yards per game. Herbert will need to be the difference maker in this game if the Chargers want to go into New York and win a big AFC matchup.
Can the Jets offense find a way to put together a complete game?
For all the praise the Jets defense deserves, their offense deserves as much critcism, if not more. So far, the Coach Andy + Aaron Rodgers experiment has been extremely rocky, and is flirting with failure. Rodgers has thrown twice as many interceptions as touchdowns, and the Jets offense as a whole ranks third worst in total yardage, and is the worst scoring passing attack. With all these weapons, that is embarrassing.
The trade for Davante Adams was supposed to lift this offense to another level, and give Garrett Wilson better matchups as the #2 weapon. That simply hasn't happened. This offense needs to find a way to stop turning the ball over, and rely on the run game and play action to move the ball effectively. Against a great Chargers defense, Coach Andy will need his playmakers to step up.
Inside the Booth
Thanks to Jake and Moji for granting me some unprecedented pre-game access inside the booth. I found my way to the interview chair, stepping over pizza boxes and liquor bottles, and got an opportunity to ask the guys on the call a couple hard-hitting questions.
Adel: "Thanks for doing this fellas. Gameday has made it's way to New York for an AFC matchup between the Chargers and Jets. Jake, I'll start with you. What about this game enticed the Gameday crew to come to New York, even though the Jets are at 4-3?
Jake: "The superstar power is higher in New York than it's been in a while, never a bad time to go watch Aaron Rodgers, Dalvin Cook, and Davante Adams do their thing! Not to menton this Jets team has sneaky potential, after showcase matchups with Buffalo and Kansas City going their way, I want to see if this team is the real deal in primetime!"
Adel: "Wow Jake, they weren't kidding about your broadcaster voice. I mean you shouted that entire answer at me! That's why you're a professional. So let's shift to the game itself, what is the biggest matchup you're looking forward to watching in this one?"
Jake: "A few interest me, but mostly seeing how Justin Herbert is going to deal with Sauce Gardner and that secondary. Other than that, the wide receiver 2 matchup between Garrett Wilson and JC Jackson could be the key to deciding who comes out of this one."
Adel: "Thanks for the insight as always Mr. Allen, now Moji let's shift to you. Obviously you grew up in this area so I'm sure you're excited for this game. What are you looking for from the Jets in this one to gain an advantage?"
Moji: "The Jets defense has to come to play. They have to pressure Herbert and that defensive line needs to dominate. On the flip, they have to limit turnovers. That Chargers team is explosive and you cannot give them extra possessions."
Adel: "Thanks for that insightful answer, now to the other team. Who is your biggest X-Factor in this game for the Chargers?"
Moji: "Austin Ekeler. he does so much on the ground, through the air, and in pass protection. He's one of the best in the business and he eats up all the underneath yards with those 4 wide receivers stretching the field."
Adel: "Love it. Now finally, I have to get your take on this. Which of these two coaches would you rather take out for a slice of New York's finest pie, and why?"
Moji: "Coach Ram, easy. I could have an intellectual conversation, talk ball, talk life, whatever. Coach Andy is a clown show and always tries to put on a performance."
Adel: "Gentlemen, thank you for the time, and good luck on the call tonight!"
TAB Cola Cold Hard Facts
This section of the preview is dedicated to the cold hard facts heading into this contest. No bias, no opinion, just the facts.
1. The Jets have the fewest passing touchdowns in Red Zone with 7.
2. The Jets have thrown 18 interceptions as an offense, good for second worst in the league.
3. The Jets have the second worst amount of trips to the Red Zone, with only 29 through 7 games.
4. Of qualifying quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers is tied for the third least-sacked quarterback in Red Zone, just 12 times.
5. The Chargers defense is the second worst in Red Zone at getting to the quarterback, with only 11 sacks through 7 games.
6. Since the Week 5 bye week, the Chargers have given up 87 points in 3 games, and have allowed 1088 offensive yards.
7. The Jets and Chargers are the only two teams in Red Zone with 0 touchdown receptions to tight ends.
8. In 7 games, Aaron Rodgers has been 'Three Pick Sat' 4 times.
Pick-Em's
Jeff Darlington
Jeff's Pick: Chargers
Jeff's Take: It's Coach Ram versus a coach that has been inconsistent. I'll take the Chargers always in this situation.
Brett Kollman
Brett's Pick: Chargers
Brett's Take: Chargers even after the loss have been super-charged and screaming towards the tough AFC West matchups left.
Dan Orlovsky
Dan's Pick: Chargers
Dan's Take: The Chargers are the more complete team of the two. I give the Chargers a real edge on defense. I expect them to harrass Aaron Rodgers and make it hard to get the ball to his playmakers. I expect the Chargers to pull away late and walk out easily with this one.
Big Cat
Dan's Pick: Chargers
Dan's Take: The Chargers are hot and the Jets lost to the Giants...bad. Ramesu is going to collect the game day Bama-Tree Infinity Stones.
Colin Cowherd
Colin's Pick: Chargers
Colin's Take: Coach Ram has been one of the top 5-7 coaches in Red Zone for a long time. When he gets his hands on a team and players the caliber of the Chargers, long playoff runs are not only the goal but the standard. The Jets just a notch below at every other position. Chargers -4.5 is the safest bet of the week.
Skip Bayless
Skip's Pick: Chargers
Skip's Take: Jets are trending down and you can't pick against luck.
Donovan McNabb
Donovan's Pick: Chargers
Donovan's Take: Chargers are firing on all cylinders right now and have gone through a gauntlet of contenders in the process. Add in the pedigree of coaching and championship trophies, it's a no brainer for me.
Jerome Bettis
Jerome's Pick: Chargers
Jerome's Take: Chargers defense will be too much for Aaron Rodgers to overcome.
Mintzy
Mintzy's Pick: Jets
Mintzy's Take: If there's one thing we've seen from Coach Andy and the Jets this season, it's that he's going to lose games he shouldn't and he's going to win games against the best teams immediately after. Trend continues here, gimme da J E T S by a touchdown.
Keyshawn Johnson
Key's Pick: Chargers
Key's Take: The Jets came into the season as a crowd favorite, but after a pedestrian 4-3 start, many questions surround thee Gang Green, particularly with the inconsistent play of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is third in the league with 15 interceptions thrown to just 7 touchdowns. The Chargers boast one of the best defensive units with an elite secondary, making it very rough for Rodgers. I think the line is a bit generous, give me the Chargers 35-14.
Rich Eisen
Rich's Pick: Chargers
Rich's Take: I think LA is the more well rounded team, and I trust their coach. We all know how much I love the J E T S but I don't trust the man on the sideline.
Tim Tebow
Tim's Pick: Chargers
Tim's Take: The Chargers have been on a big roll whhile the Jets have dropped some major games in recent weeks.
Mike Mayock
Mike's Pick: Chargers
Mike's Take: The Jets have been too inconsistent and the opposing team must play a perfect game to defeat the Chargers, which I don't think the Jets are capable of doing at this time.
Field Yates
Yates' Pick: Chargers
Yates' Take: Ramesu cheats.