NFL Football
2011-10-23 - San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NFL Football Week 7
Sunday 23 October 2011 - Kick Off 1pm ET
6pm (British Standard Time)
Preview
This would have been considered a big game in Week 7 anyway, AND the comments made by Rex Ryan about how he would have won '2 rings for sure' if he had been employed as San Diego Head Coach in 2007 instead of Norv Turner is bound to raise tensions.
The Chargers (4-1) would not have forgotten that it was the New York Jets (3-3) that also shocked them in the 2010 Play Offs by knocking them off in California.
Rex Ryan did phone Norv Turner and apologise for his comments and how they appeared to be in the press, although Turner accepted it before ending with a zinger of his own about the 2 SuperBowls Ryan had 'guaranteed' in the last 2 seasons at the Jets ... All of this does make this game so much more interesting.
There will also be a reunion of sorts as LaDainian Tomlinson will also get to play against his former team for the first time since he was released at the end of the 2010 season, his last game ironically being against the Jets.
The Chargers will have to travel East for this early game, and they will be hoping the bye week has turned around their fortunes in the Red Zone where they have really struggled this season. Philip Rivers and the Offense has not found it too difficult to move the ball up and down the field, but they have settled for far too many field goals once hitting their opponents 20 yard line.
Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert should both be able to get things going on the ground for the Chargers as the Jets Defense has really struggled in that aspect of their game. Philip Rivers should then be able to keep things moving through the air in short and manageable situations, with the likes of Vincent Jackson and the likely returning Antonio Gates providing big weapons in the passing game.
I expect the Jets will be able to get some penetration with their pass rush against a Chargers Offensive Line that has struggled this season, but that is where the running of Mathews and Tolbert could be all important to the Chargers success.
Even after the Jets win on Monday Night Football, there was a lot of criticism sent their way as the scoreline did a lot more than flatter them. The Offense really struggled to get things going early as Mark Sanchez was booed by his own supporters and there is a genuine question as to whether this Offense has regressed from last season.
Sanchez will not get an easy time against this Chargers pass Defense that has only allowed an average of 179 yards per game through the air this season. The Jets Offensive Line has also struggled to give Sanchez time, so much so that Santonio Holmes openly criticised them last week, and the Chargers should be able to get to him.
This will be made all the more possible if the Jets continue to struggle running the ball as they have this season. San Diego do give up 4.6 yards per carry, but the Offensive Line for New York have not opened up the running lanes in games so far.
Head to Head
This will be the first time the teams meet since the Play Offs in January 2010, when the Jets won by 3 points on the road.
San Diego had won the 2 previous games in the series before that loss.
San Diego are 1-5 against the spread in the last 6 games in the series.
New York are 2-4 against the spread this season, San Diego are 2-3.
Other Interesting Trends
New York are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 games as the underdog being given between 0.5 and 3 points.
They are 12-4-1 against the spread in their last 17 games on a Sunday following a Monday Night game.
San Diego are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 games as the road favourite of 0.5 and 3 points.
Prediction
I am going to back the San Diego Chargers to win and cover for the following reasons:
First, the Chargers have got to be fired up after Rex Ryan's comments in the press and will want to gain revenge for the Play Off defeat in 2010.
Second, the Jets really did look horrific on Monday Night Football, and only got the win because Miami decided to shoot themselves in the foot.
Third, the San Diego Offensive weapons match up well against this Jets Defense and they should be able to score enough points to make life difficult for Mark Sanchez who has the home fans beginning to turn on him.
I do have some serious concerns about the travel that San Diego have to do for this early game and it is something that has been tough on a lot of the West Coast teams. However, I feel they are going to be so ready for this game and wanting to prove a point that they will be able to overcome this.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
New York Jets 20-24 San Diego Chargers
