Jets stun Chargers 17-14 in San Diego

It was an ugliest of games for the team in the prettiest of cities. After winning 11 straight games to finish the regular season, the San Diego Chargers came out with a resounding thud at home against the Jets on Sunday. Penalties, missed field goals and turnovers formed a perfect storm of suck for the Chargers and kept the Jets in the game until the final quarter where they took and held onto the lead to advance to the AFC championship game with a 17-14 victory.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Philip Rivers found rarely-used tight end Kris Wilson in the endzone. That was the lead taken into halftime, thanks to a stingy Jet defense and a lackluster but safe Jet offense. New York added a field goal in the third to close the gap, but you never felt like the Chargers offense could be stifled for four quarters. Seems like the Jets offense didn’t get the memo, as they were the ones who refused to be held down.

After a fantastic pick of Rivers by Revis, the Jets were forced to punt it right back, minimalizing Rivers' mistake. On his very next throw Rivers was intercepted again, returned by safety Jim Leonard 11 yards to the Charger 16.  A touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller capitalized on the turnover, giving New York their first lead of the game. On their next drive, rookie Shonn Greene broke through the San Diego defense for a 53-yard scamper to the endzone, putting the Jets up 17-7. A late rally by Norv Turner's offense was marred by poor clock management but did result in a touchdown to bring it back to 17-14.  A failed onside kick gave the road team the ball, which they ran on four straight plays including a gutsy fourth-and-one conversion by Thomas Jones to secure the win. All the Chargers could do was watch.

Norv Turner’s squad fell apart today, playing undisciplined and failing to hold their composure in the face of their hard-nosed New York opponent. Credit Rex Ryan’s Jets for sticking to their game plan and not allowing San Diego to play their style of football, but San Diego did all they could to lose this game. Stupid penalties like Vincent Jackson kicking the Jets' challenge flag or Rivers' back-to-back interceptions proved this team wasn't ready. Nate Kaeding's three missed field goals were as many as he missed all season and dropped his accuracy to a putrid 3 for 9 at home in the playoffs. If the AFC's Pro Bowl kicker can't be clutch in post-season play, who can? (I might cut him from the team, but who would be a better solution?)

 
Yep, it's your fault. Freakin' kicker.

Every year I hear everyone talk about how this is the year the Chargers turn it around, but it never happens. Much like the Cowboys, the Chargers have often been the “most talented” team in their conference with nothing to show for it. Let’s stop this practice of premature coronation.

Instead, let’s show respect to a team that refused to be ignored these past two weeks despite experts arguing they lucked into the playoffs. Rookie Mark Sanchez did throw a pick, but he later made up for it with a touchdown. Shonn Greene has the tools to take over the starting role next season, giving this offense some much-needed explosiveness. Not only did I think the Jets would have problems matching points with the high-flying Chargers (probably accurate), but I didn’t think their defense could hold them in check like this. Well done Rex Ryan, you’ve proved me wrong.

…Though I still don’t think your team can beat Peyton Manning next week. Don’t eat me.

Playoff predictions so far: 4-4. Yep, I started 3-1 and I’m sitting at 4-4. I’m the Denver Broncos of picking against the spread.