A pair of AFC playoff hopefuls close out Week 9 of the NFL schedule NFL SCHEDULE as they take the field in search of a win in the state of New Jersey. The Los Angeles Chargers make the long transcontinental trip to take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Los Angeles beat the Chicago Bears 30-13 on Sunday Night Football at home last week in their most recent game. New York survived an ugly game by beating the New York Giants 13-10 in overtime as the visiting team in their own stadium, although they evened the line as three-point favorites.
The Chargers' Advantage
In the all-time regular series between the teams, the Chargers hold a 23-12-1 advantage and have won the last four meetings. That includes a 34-28 home win in the last meeting on Nov. 22, 2020.
Los Angeles ended a two-game losing streak by taking care of the Bears at home last Sunday night.
The Chargers improved their record to 3-4 on the season and sit in second place in the AFC West, 2.5 games behind the Kansas City Chiefs for first place.
Against Chicago, Los Angeles led 14-0 after one quarter and was up 17-0 midway through the second quarter without being seriously challenged thereafter.
The Chargers led 24-7 at halftime and 30-7 after three quarters, keeping the Bears out of the end zone in the second half until just over two minutes remained.
Los Angeles had a 352-295 edge in total yards, gained 20 first downs while allowing 17, controlled the clock by a high margin and forced two turnovers while committing one on the play.
On the season, the Chargers are sixth in the league in aerial offense with 258.9 yards per game, while they are No. 22 in ground offense with an average of 103.6 yards per game.
Justin Herbert has completed 173 of 252 passes for 1,890 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season.
Herbert has been caught 15 times and has totaled 81 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Austin Ekeler is the team's second-leading rusher with 59 carries for 218 yards and one touchdown.
put em to sleep 👨🍼 pic.twitter.com/fAEQ4yskKm
- Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 2, 2023
The Jets' Strengths
New York won its third straight game by surviving an overtime struggle with the Giants. The Jets improved their record to 4-3 on the season and moved into third place in the AFC East as they try for their fourth straight win.
Against the Giants, the Jets led 7-3 after the first quarter and at halftime, only to fall behind 10-7 in the final minute of regulation time.
The Jets kicked a field goal to tie the game after a missed clock to force overtime before winning in the extra session.
In the game, the Jets held a 251-194 advantage in total yards in a game in which both teams finished with only 12 first downs.
They lost the ball twice without getting an interception and were dominated by a wide margin of possession time.
On the season, the Jets are 31st in the league in aerial offense by averaging 164.3 yards per game through the air.
The team ranks 18th in the league in ground offense by averaging 109 yards per game. New York is 26th in the league in scoring by averaging 18 points per game.
The Jets rank eighth in the league in defense by allowing an average of 18.4 points per game. Aaron Rodgers failed on his only pass attempt in the season opener before tearing his Achilles tendon against the Bills on Sept. 11.
Zach Wilson has completed 127 of 218 passes for 1,337 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He has been caught 23 times and has totaled 123 yards on the ground.
Breece Hall leads the team on the ground with 78 carries for 443 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Dalvin Cook adds 41 carries for 114 yards, while Michael Carter, with eight carries, and 38 yards, is also in the mix. Garrett Wilson leads the team with 39 catches for 469 yards and two touchdowns.
