Playoffs arrive in San Diego

The NFL post-season began last week, but for the Chargers the playoffs start this Sunday in Qualcomm Stadium. After finishing the regular season on an eleven game winning streak the Chargers earned themselves a bye week and plenty of rest for their divisional round match up with the New York Jets. San Diego is favored to win, but the Jets will pose a formidable challenge.

It has been an up and down season for New York. Some say they had nine lives, but what they ended up with was nine wins and a playoff berth. The Jets got some help from the Colts and Bengals who were resting their starters for the last two games of the season, but last week, in a rematch with Cincinnati, the Jets dominated. New York controlled the wild card game by playing to their strengths, defense and running. And it didn’t hurt that rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez had one of his best performances as a pro.

The Jets came into the post-season with the NFL’s top rated defense and running game, two areas that could give the Chargers trouble. Although the Chargers are the hottest team going into the playoff with eleven straight wins one of the problems that have persisted for them throughout the season is their running game. LaDainian Tomlinson has had his worst year statistically and with Gang Green coming to town the Chargers should not expect significant contributions from LT and the other running backs. If San Diego is to be successful on Sunday they will have to rely on their passing offense as they have all season.

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An array of weapons makes up the Chargers passing attack, which is lead by Phillip Rivers. Rivers finished the season with a 104.4 passer rating 4, 254 yards, and 28 touchdowns. He has many targets to choose from including Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, Darren Sproles, and Vincent Jackson. Jackson has emerged this season as a star wide out and his match up against Jets pro bowl cornerback, Darrell Revis, will be a key factor in the game. Revis has been a thorn in the side of many of the games top receivers including Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, and most recently, Chad Ochocinco.

A good defense and running game can carry a team through the playoffs and often has produced championships. However, quite often what makes the difference this time of year is the play at quarterback. Mark Sanchez is a fine talent and may one day develop into one of the league’s elite QBs. But Phillip Rivers is already established as one of the NFL’s best. How he performs may make all the difference between winning and losing.

Rivers and his Charger teammates have had opportunities to win it all in recent years, but have come up short. Three years ago they were the number two seed and let a game at home against the Patriots slip through their fingers. Two years ago they had a chance against the Patriots again in the championship game and couldn’t capitalize. This year is another chance and maybe the best one they’ve had yet. It all begins against the Jets on Sunday.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com San Diego Chargers Correspondent