The reward for a New York Jets defense that dominated during a current three-game winning streak is a showcase game Monday night with the Los Angeles Chargers in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Jets’ pass defense ranks fifth in the NFL and held opponents to 15.0 points per game over a stretch that delivered victories over the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
Enter the Chargers’ sixth-best passing offense that has been spotty at times despite its lofty status. Los Angeles (3-4) rides some momentum after a decisive 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 8.
While the Jets (4-3) give up 184.4 yards per game through the air, the Chargers’ passing game under quarterback Justin Herbert registers 258.9 yards per game.
QUICK PICK
The Jets are home underdogs despite a three-game winning streak, speaking to the lack of confidence in New York’s offense. While the Jets’ offensive line has been hit hard by injuries, so, too, has the Chargers’ receiving corps. Without Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, Herbert will likely have to rely heavily on the underneath passing game, and lengthy drives against the Jets’ suffocating defense are hard to come by.
Prediction: Jets 20, Chargers 17
TRENDING
The Chargers opened as 1.5-point favorites at BetMGM but the line has shifted to 3.5. That has led to heavy spread-line action on the Jets, who have been backed by 64 percent of the bets and 77 percent of the money. New York’s +105 moneyline at the book has also been attractive to the public, drawing 70 and 57 percent of the action, respectively.
With two offenses battling injuries at key positions, the Over/Under has moved from 42.0 to 39.5 points, with the Under backed by 65 percent of the bets and 62 percent of the money.
PROP PICK
Jets RB Breece Hall Over 17.5 Receiving Yards (-135): This has been the most lopsided player prop at the book, with the Over drawing 99 percent of the bets. Hall hasn’t been known as a great pass-catcher, recording only 19 receptions in seven games last year and the same amount through his first seven this season. However, 11 of those have come in the past two games while Hall has averaged 65 receiving yards as the Jets have searched for high-percentage passes for quarterback Zach Wilson.
THE NEWS
The anchor of the Jets’ defensive line is All-Pro tackle Quinnen Williams, who has drawn enough attention to allow tackle Quinton Jefferson to flourish with 3 1/2 sacks and seven quarterback hits.
John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II patrol the ends, with Johnson recording a team-high 4.0 sacks. Linebacker Bryce Huff has 3.5 sacks, all in the past three games.
The cornerback combination of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed has made life difficult on opposing wide receivers. Both are back after recent concussions.
And then there is linebacker Quincy Williams, the brother of Quinnen, who was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. He and fellow linebacker C.J. Mosley share the team lead with 71 tackles each.
The Jets’ offense is a different story, scoring 18.0 points per game while sitting next to last in passing offense (164.3 yards).
Herbert was sacked five times in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago, but was not sacked for the first time all season against the Bears.
As productive as the Los Angeles passing game has been, the rushing attack (103.6 yards) is in the bottom third of the league. Running back Austin Ekeler has averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per rush and has just one touchdown on the ground in four games, although he did miss time with an ankle injury.
With Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams out for the season, Joshua Palmer placed on injured reserve Sunday and tight end Gerald Everett coming back from a hip injury, Ekeler’s abilities in the passing game could help. His 11.1 yards per reception are the best of his career, but his 4.0 catches per game are well below his 6.3 rate last season.
“Let’s have the same energy and get a win on ‘Monday Night Football,'” Ekeler said after he had seven catches for 94 yards against Chicago.
INJURY REPORT
The Jets’ offensive line is in shambles, although Mekhi Becton (knee) and Duane Brown (hip) were full practice participants by Friday while Joe Tippman (quad) and Laken Tomlinson (hamstring) were limited.
But center Connor McGovern (knee) and lineman Wes Schweitzer (calf) both were injured in Week 8 and placed on injured reserve. It leaves head coach Robert Saleh undecided at center.
“Where we are right now, we just have to make sure the best five are on the field somehow, some way to protect the quarterback and give him some time,” Saleh said of his offensive line. “It’s very frustrating because everything starts up front.”
The Chargers know all about alternate plans at center with All-Pro Corey Linsley out. Everett was a full practice participant Friday but Palmer (knee) will miss at least four games. Fellow wide receiver Jalen Guyton (knee) was also a full participant as he closes in on his 2023 debut. Eric Kendricks (ribs) and defensive lineman Morgan Fox (oblique) were limited.
KEY STAT
Even while losing more games than they have won, the Chargers have scored at least 17 points in every contest. By comparison, the Jets have been held to 13 points or fewer three times, although that didn’t stop them from winning last week.
THEY SAID IT
“We’ve just got to put one foot in front of the other. We’ve just got to go one day at a time here. That’s what we did last week and that’s what, I think, led to us being fresh and focused. We weren’t looking too far out in the future.” –Chargers coach Brandon Staley
–Field Level Media
