New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers: Why It's Now or Never for New York

Thanks to a 24-6 victory against the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets have finally ended their three-game losing streak. However, they aren't out of the woods yet. The victory over the Dolphins was an ugly one, and the Jets must improve if they want to make the playoffs.

A win against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday would be a huge step in the right direction. If the Jets cannot muster a victory against the Chargers, then their season may very well be over.

If Rex Ryan wants any chance of fulfilling his constant promise of a Super Bowl to Jets' fans, then the Jets must defeat the Chargers to gain their first win over a team with a winning record.

The Jets Cannot Run the Football

Currently, the Jets are ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per carry, averaging a meager 3.3 yards per rush. The Chargers defense gives up 4.6 yards per carry. If the Jets cannot get their running game going against the Chargers, then who knows when they will actually be able to run the ball?

Without a solid running game, the Jets would have to rely on Mark Sanchez for the rest of the season. A playoff team cannot do that. Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and the offensive line all need to step up on Sunday if the Jets want to show that they are a legitimate playoff team.

The Jets Start off Games Extremely Slow

The last time the Jets were able to gain a first down in the first quarter of a game was against the Oakland Raiders. That means it has been a little more than three full weeks since the Jets have been able to earn a first down in the first quarter. There is no excuse for that.

Even the Miami Dolphins looked like they were going to dominate the Jets in the first quarter of their last game, but the Jets are extremely lucky that Matt Moore is the quarterback for the Dolphins.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is the main culprit of the Jets' slow starts. His poor play-calling has forced the Jets to start out games in a hole. Schottenheimer must improve his play-calling or else the cries for his pink slip will only get louder.

The Jets need to come out of the gate with intensity against the Chargers. If they don't, then the Chargers could take an early lead and leave the Jets in a wild scramble to come back and save their season.

Mark Sanchez Has Not Improved Enough

Mark Sanchez's stats look slightly better this season than in the past, but it is clear that he is still an average quarterback. Being an average quarterback is fine when you have a great running game, but the Jets do not possess a great running game this year.

Sanchez has been checking down far too often, and he hasn't been able to take advantage of single coverage when the defense has given it to him. Additionally, his completion percentage is a horrid 56.1 percent.

Sanchez needs to step up if he wants to lead the Jets to the playoffs, and Sunday is the perfect opportunity to show that he can be the franchise quarterback the Jets are in dire need of.

The Jets' Locker Room Appears to Be Fractured

Last week, Santonio Holmes threw the Jets' offensive line under the bus. Brandon Moore talked to the media and was clearly unhappy that Holmes would do that to his teammates.

The cattiness between the Jets starts at the top with Rex Ryan. Ryan attempted to defuse by having Holmes and Moore be captains for their last game. Jets' fans and the media ate it up, claiming the feud to be over.

However, you're extremely naive if you think animosity doesn't remain between Moore and Holmes.

The only thing that can fix the unhappiness of the Jets' locker room is winning. If the Jets lose on Sunday, then the disconnect between the players will continue to get worse.

The Buffalo Bills Are Good

Last year, the Buffalo Bills equated to two easy wins for the Jets. This year, the Bills are playoff contenders who will be a tough challenge for the Jets.

For the Jets to have a chance at the playoffs this season, they will have to beat the Bills. Otherwise, the Bills could be occupying the wild card playoff spot that the Jets held for the past two years.

The Jets could conceivably split the two games with the Bills. However, one thing is for sure. With the Bills in the playoff picture, the Jets cannot afford to lose to the Chargers on Sunday.

There are too few games left on the schedule for the Jets to lose at home against the Chargers, especially with the New England Patriots and Bills looking like playoff teams in the AFC East.