New York Jets vs San Diego Chargers: Top 5 Matchups to Watch

The Jets are second in the NFL in rush yards per game, and Chris Ivory has emerged as the dominant back for New York. The Chargers have the NFL’s 9th ranked run defense, but Donald Butler & Co. are going to face a major challenge in slowing the Jets. The Jets want to run the ball and control the clock, while the Chargers will be looking to take away the run and force Smith to beat them.

Gates has been turning back the clock in the beginning of this season, with 17 receptions for 215 yards and 3 TDs. The Jets have had struggles covering Martellus Bennett and Eric Ebron the last two weeks, and Gates presents a significant matchup problem. Rookie safety Calvin Pryor will draw a large part of the responsibility for slowing Gates, and that is a matchup Philip Rivers will look to exploit.

Eric Decker and David Nelson are both questionable and will be limited if they do play, meaning Jeremy Kerley will once again have to shoulder much of the burden for the Jets’ receivers. He could see a lot of rookie Jason Verrett, and Kerley needs to get separation and give Smith a consistent target, especially on third downs.

With starting center Rich Ohrnberger out, the Chargers will turn to veteran backup Doug Legursky. The Jets have arguably the best defensive line in the NFL, and Sheldon Richardson in particularl will be looking to exploit Legursky in the interior and get pressure on Rivers. If Legursky can’t handle the pressure, the Jets could disrupt the Chargers’ 5th ranked passing attack.

The Jets will once again get Dee Milliner back from injury, and he faces a big challenge in second year wideout Keenan Allen. Allen finally got his season going with a 10 catch, 135 yard performance last week against the Jaguars. A banged up Milliner was torched by Jordy Nelson in Week 2, and Allen will be looking to take advantage. If Milliner can’t slow Allen, the Jets could be in for a long day.