The rejuvenated Los Angeles Chargers head to AT&T Stadium looking to avoid an upset at the hands of the spunky New York Jets.
Los Angeles Chargers (7-7) at New York Jets (5-9)
History:
- The New York Jets host a series for first time since 2012 (a 27-17 loss)
- Chargers posted 31-0 win in ’14 at San Diego in teams’ last meeting
- Fourth meeting between these original AFL franchises dating back to ’11
Chargers by the Numbers:
- Lost to Chiefs, 30-13, in Week 15
- 7-7 record in ’17 (combined 9-23 from 2015-16)
- 7-3 record in last 10 games (opened 0-4 in ’17)
- 6-19 record in last 25 road games dating back to Week 17 of ’14
- QB Philip Rivers: 116-of-175 (66.3 pct.), 1,575 yards, 9 TD passes, 3 INT in last 5 games: Rivers: 40 TD passes, 27 turnovers (24 INT, 3 lost fumbles) in last 21 games dating back to ’16 (17 TD passes, 7 INT, 3 lost fumbles in first 9 games in ’16)
- WR Keenan Allen: 44 rec., 601 yards, 4 TD in last 5 games
- 58-68 record dating back to ’10; 46-18 from 2006-09, 4 straight AFC West titles
- 22 takeaways in 14 games in ’17 (28 takeaways in ’16, 20 takeaways in ’15, 18 takeaways in ’14)
- 15 turnovers in 14 games in ’17 (NFL-high 35 turnovers in ’16)
Jets by the Numbers:
- Lost to Saints, 31-19, in Week 15
- Scored fewer than 20 points in 48-of-94 games dating back to ’12
- Allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in 45-of-78 games dating back to ’13
- Allowed 57 TD passes, totaled 19 INT in 30 games dating back to ’16
- 33 takeaways in 30 games dating back to ‘16 (30 takeaways in ‘15)
- 44 takeaways in 19 wins, 19 takeaways in 27 losses dating back to ’15
- Scored 285 points, 31 offensive TD in 14 games in ‘17 (scored 275 points, 26 offensive TD in ’16)
- Allowed 92 points in 5 wins, 250 points in 9 losses in ’17
- Outscored 137-67 in fourth quarter and OT in 14 games in ’17
Things to look for:
In essence, the New York Jets have nothing to play for except pride. And this is a team that has responded with big efforts all season long despite the low expectations. The Los Angeles Chargers still have an outside shot at a postseason invitation and have had some extra time to prepare for this East Coast trip. But don’t be surprised if Philip Rivers and company are tripped up by a club that has some terrific young pieces on the defensive side of the football.
