What’s up, Bolt Nation? Welcome to another edition of Talking Touchdowns! The Chargers are now 7-7 coming off a pretty devastating loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday Night. For Charger fans, we can hope it’s all uphill from here as we go on to face the 5–9 New York Jets.

LA Chargers vs. New York Jets

Offense

• I have to say Philip Rivers had an off night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Rivers held the longest streak in the league without throwing an interception but that all ended in the game against the Chiefs. He threw for 227 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.

• This was unlike the Rivers we have seen in the past four games – Kansas City’s defense put the pressure on and Rivers was forcing the big plays trying to get the Chargers back into the game.

• Austin Ekeler also had a critical drop which lead to some extra cushion on the Chiefs lead before he left the game with an injury along with eight others – Keenan Allen, Jatavis Brown, Corey Liuget, Hunter Henry, Russel Okung, Adrian Phillips, Joe Barksdale, and Denzel Perryman were all faced with injury during the game against the Chiefs.

• The Chargers have had four straight games of over 400 yards and the Chiefs held them to under 300 yards, which just goes to show the amount of pressure the Chiefs defense applied in last weeks game. I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, you can never underestimate the pride of an NFL player. Everyone expected the Chargers to come in and win that divisional matchup and the Chiefs knew that and came out and played with pride.

• The Jets offense ranks in at 23th overall, with an average of less than 21 points per game, and they lost their starting QB, Josh McCown, in their recent loss to Denver.

• Bryce Petty stepped up in the place of Josh McCown just to complete 19 of 39 passes for 179 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His biggest help will be Austin Seferian-Jenkins who has 46 receptions and is a huge red zone target.

Defense

• I think everyone’s heart stopped when they saw Denzel Perryman go down in the game against the Chiefs. Since his return to the field, he has been a huge asset to the Chargers run defense. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Perryman had an MRI to determine the severity of the hamstring injury and is currently considered week-to-week.

• The Jets defense, on the other hand, played incredible in the game against the Saints, where they created three turnovers and have had 13 turnovers in the past six games. Unfortunately for the Jets, their offense wasn’t able to capitalize on the turnovers.

Game Prediction

The Chargers are banged up and coming off a critical divisional loss but the Jets are also dealing with some injuries and losses of their own. I don’t think last week’s loss was a very appropriate representation of the teams overall hard work – Anthony Lynn has done a great job at getting everyone focused despite the 0–4 start. Let’s hope the Chargers show up focused and can take the W!

[NFL-Chargers-footer]

Photo Credits:

• Los Angeles Chargers on Wikimedia Commons by San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Kansas City Chiefs on Wikimedia Commons by Kansas City Chiefs
• New York Jets on Wikimedia Commonsby New York Jets
• Philip Rivers on flickr by Jeffrey Beall
• Bryce Petty on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison
• Denzel Perryman on Wikimedia Commons  by Jeffrey Beall
• Saints Logo on Wikimedia Commons by New Orleans Saints
• Anthony Lynn on Wikimedia Commons by Ben Liebenberg