The Los Angeles Chargers will travel across the country to New York on Sunday to face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Los Angeles (3-4) enters this important game against another AFC opponent with postseason implications on the line. The Jets (4-3) are now ranked eighth, three games ahead of the Chargers, who are ranked eleventh.
The Chargers defeated the Chicago Bears last Sunday, 30-12, with quarterback Justin Herbert completing 31-of-40 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Based on the outcome of the game on Monday, the Chargers’ playoff chances might swing either way.
According to Pro Football Focus, a win increases the Chargers’ playoff odds to 30%, while a defeat reduces them to 10%.
Here are three audacious predictions for the Chargers-Jets game in Week 9.
Austin Ekeler dominates with 140 total yards and two TDs
This is an excellent opportunity for Chargers running back Austin Ekeler to shine on the ground.
Through eight weeks, the Jets are one of six teams in the NFL to have allowed more than 1,000 rushing yards. The Jets, in particular, allow 1,014 yards on the run every game, for an average of 145 yards per game.
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants carried 36 times for 128 yards in the Jets’ 13-10 overtime triumph last week.
Barkley recorded season-highs last week in receptions, targets and yards as his catch and score came from 39 yards out during the Chargers’ 18-point win. The touchdown also gave Ekeler his 40th TD since 2021.
As a result, this is an opportunity for Ekeler to get going in the running game after recording less than 50 rushing yards in each of the last three games.
Ekeler is coming off a performance against the Bears where he carried the ball 15 times for 29 yards. He made up for his ground production in the receiving game catching seven passes on eight targets for 94 yards and a touchdown, which was his first score since the team’s first game two months ago against Miami.
His production in the passing game, especially on checkdowns from Herbert, is crucial for this offense to march down the field for drives to result in points.
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said his team must find that mix of run plays vs. pass plays to keep the defense on their toes for a full game.
“The big thing you’ve got to do is force defense to adjust force them to see things that they have to second guess and keep them off balance,” Staley told reporters on Thursday. “If you give them a steady diet, when you turn into a passing team and it’s drop back, now they can get into rhythm with their front seven, but then their back seven too, in terms of how they play.”
Keenan Allen overcomes tough New York Jets secondary with 100-yard performance
After Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen had a breakout game in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings (18 receptions, 215 yards), he has a 241 combined 241 yards in his past four games.
Although the Jets pass defense is better than the Vikings, Allen still has the opportunity to make plays.
By playing mostly in the slot, that means he will probably not be going up against Sauce Gardner or DJ Reed. As a result, Allen will most likely be going up against Jets nickel cornerback Michael Carter II, who only allows targets to a rating of 84.4, a mark that is one of the best among cornerbacks.
This week, Allen is also on a milestone watch, as he needs 70 receiving yards to reach 10,000 for his career. Allen is sixth in receiving yards among active players, trailing Davante Adams of Las Vegas, Travis Kelce of Kansas City, Mike Evans of Tampa Bay, DeAndre Hopkins of Tennessee, and Julio Jones of Philadelphia.
Despite having his lowest yards per reception of the season (8.6) last week, Allen, along with Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, and Philadelphia’s AJ Brown, may be the fourth receiver to total 100-plus receiving yards against the Jets this season.
In addition, this will not be a Chargers offense that will be limited to minus-9 receiving yards on 14 passes, which were the totals the Giants accumulated last week. Herbert’s performance against the Bears on Sunday Night Football gave him a 122 rating for his 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers defense gets three turnovers against Zach Wilson and Jets
The biggest thing to watch on Monday night will be the Los Angeles Chargers defense, which allows 24 points per game. That ranks eighth-worst in the NFL.
However, they are facing a Jets offense that averages 18 points per game, a mark that ranks seventh-worst. As a result, the Chargers have to be able hold their side, especially on defense. The Chargers defense has recorded at least two turnovers in five of seven games this season and in each of their last two games against Chicago and Kansas City.
Winning the turnover margin, by picking up fumbles or catching interceptions, goes a long way in shifting the game, especially on the road in prime time. In each of Los Angeles’ three wins, they have won the turnover margin over their opponent.
With a plus-6 turnover margin, the Chargers are tied for fourth with Dallas, trailing Cincinnati by seven and Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh by plus-8. These turnovers result in increased scoring chances for Herbert and the offense.
Zach Wilson, the Jets’ quarterback, has thrown four interceptions in his last four games, including three interceptions in Dallas two weeks ago. That means there are opportunities for Derwin James and the offense to create turnovers.
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