Previewing Today's Divisional Round Playoffs: Jets at Chargers

The Divisional Round's final contest boasts a great strength vs. strength matchup as the New York Jets bring their top-ranked defense to the home of the San Diego Chargers and their arsenal of offensive weaponry. The Jets enter this game playing the best football we've seen from them this season but that recent success pales in comparison to San Diego's 11 game win-streak to end the regular season. The Chargers are fresh off a bye and look to be well rested for a likely bruising battling with Rex Ryan's aggressive defense.

I think this game will play out much like the Colts 20-3 victory of the Ravens last night. The Chargers have too many weapons that can attack a defense wherever they please. Jets CB Darrelle Revis will have no trouble shutting down whichever receiver he's covering but I'm not sure if the Jets have anyone else in their back 7 that can cover TE Antonio Gates or tailback Darren Sproles out of the backfield. The Jets will need to control the line of scrimmage and take away the Chargers ability to run the ball to make their offense more one-dimensional.

The only way I can see the Jets winning this game is by running the ball effectively and not turning it over against a Chargers defense that can be scored upon. History shows that teams who can control the clock and run the ball win considerably more in the playoffs as we saw in last weekend's games. On the flip-side, if the Chargers can get the offense going early and put New York in an early hole on the scoreboard they can take away the Jet's number 1 rushing attack and force rookie QB Mark Sanchez to throw it around. If that's the case I think a few turnovers could turn this game into a laugher for Chargers.

If both teams play their best games today then the Chargers will come out on top. The Chargers have been here before in 2006 when they won their final 10 games to go 14-2 before losing to the Patriots in the Divisional Round. I think they will overcome their previous playoff failures as QB Phillip Rivers has developed into one of the game's top passers and the pieces are in place for a championship run.