USA Today Inside slant

http://www.usatoday.com//sports/football/nfl/jets/home.htm

SERIES HISTORY: 31st meeting. Chargers lead series, 18-11-1. San Diego won the last meeting, 31-26 at Giants Stadium in November 2005. That game hurt the Jets, and not just on the scoreboard. TE Chris Baker was lost for the season with a fractured leg, and WR Wayne Chrebet suffered a concussion while catching a third-down pass and converting it into a first down. He never played again because of post-concussion syndrome. But the Jets have won the last three games at Qualcomm Stadium, including a wild-card playoff victory in January 2005 and a 44-13 win on Nov. 13, 2002, four days after then-coach Herm Edwards' legendary "you play to win the game" rant at the media.


GAME PLAN: The Jets need to exploit a San Diego defense ranked 31st against the pass after two games, especially because this game has all the earmarks of an old-fashioned shootout like the ones back in the 1960s between these old AFL rivals. Losing Shawne Merriman, out for the season with a knee injury, has decimated San Diego's pass rush, but the offense seems healthy even with LaDainian Tomlinson still nursing a toe injury. The Jets must keep an eye on Tomlinson's backup, Darren Sproles, who had 317 all-purpose yards against Denver, including touchdowns on a 103-yard kickoff return and a 66-yard reception.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Dwight Lowery vs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates. Miami tight ends Anthony Fasano and David Martin totaled 12 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets earlier this month, and San Diego could exploit the Jets down the middle with one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Jets FS Eric Smith also is likely to be called upon to cover Gates at times.

Jets WR Laveranues Coles vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer. Coles and Brett Favre aren't quite on the same page just yet, but Coles seems to be getting used to Favre's freelancing on plays in which the pocket breaks down. Coles had a 54-yard reception in such a situation against New England, but did have an uncharacteristic two dropped passes in that game, however.

Jets NT Kris Jenkins vs. Chargers C Jeremy Newberry. The veteran Newberry will literally have his hands full trying to fend off Jenkins, who had six tackles against New England, including one sack and two other tackles for loss. Jenkins has made a quick conversion from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 nose tackle and must be double-teamed whenever possible.


And on the SD side:

GAME PLAN: Stay with what's hot ? the passing game. It's rare when the Chargers aren't bent on sticking the ball in LaDainian Tomlinson's midsection. That said, the running game has been playing second fiddle to the passing attack ? and that leads into the best way for the Chargers to attack the Jets. With the addition of DT Kris Jenkins, the Jets have turned nasty against the run. They are allowing but 76.5 yards per game. Conversely, the Chargers have struggled to establish a running game with Tomlinson being in and out of the backfield with a sore toe. So lean on hot quarterback Philip Rivers for at least another week. That works in many ways, including not putting too much work on Tomlinson's still mending toe.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Chargers C Jeremy Newberry, who is filling in for Pro Bowl starter Nick Hardwick, vs. Jets DT Kris Jenkins, who has been a rock in the middle of the defensive line. Newberry has fared well while replacing Hardwick the last two weeks, but the Chargers' run game is a shadow of itself ? some of that is due to Tomlinson's toe injury. Still, Newberry figures to have his hands full with Jenkins, a three-time Pro Bowler. He's among the reasons the Jets are giving up but 76.5 rushing yards per game. Keep an eye on LB David Harris, who led the team in tackles last year and has 19 in the first two games this year. Tomlinson needs a big game as he fell short of 100 rushing yards in the opener and was restricted to 10 carries last week because of his sore toe. The run blocking has been OK, but sporadic and now comes a huge test against a physical front ? with Jenkins in the middle. The line could get a lift if LT Marcus McNeill returns but either way, the Chargers could have a difficult time establishing the run.

Chargers pass rush vs. Jets QB Brett Favre behind a basically new offensive line. Once upon a time, the Chargers got after quarterbacks ? but that notion seems to be a pleasant afterthought. Since Shawne Merriman showed up with a bum knee, the Chargers can't get to the quarterback. Jake Delhomme and Jay Cutler carved up the secondary as the pressure on them was difficult to decipher. The team has but two sacks and that has to change if it wants to secure its first win. But Favre is Favre, meaning he can evade pass rushers with the best to ever play the game. Sure, he's old. But he has that knack for knowing when to step up or step aside and complete a pass. Shaun Phillips needs a big game, but the outside linebacker's production has dropped off dramatically after Merriman went down. Favre can also buy time behind a fresh offensive line on which the Jets feature four former first-round picks on their offensive line, including prized free-agent acquisition Alan Faneca, a seven-time Pro Bowl guard with Pittsburgh.

INJURY IMPACT: RB LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) didn't work Wednesday but will play Monday. But he could have his carries restricted as the toe becomes fatigued. That means more work for Darren Sproles.

DT Jamal Williams (knees) didn't practice and that will be the norm through the season. The Chargers are trying to get one more season out of his achy knees. When he is on the sidelines, Ryon Bingham and Brandon McKinney fill in.

C Nick Hardwick (foot) continues to be limited in practice and appears to be a couple weeks away from playing.

LT Marcus McNeill (neck) is increasing his work load in practice. He could play Monday; the following game against the Raiders is probably more likely.

 

19-14 on MNF