New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers: Full Week 5 Preview for New York
The New York Jets are in free fall.
Rex Ryan and his troops have dropped three straight one-score games to NFC North opponents, all in heart-wrenching fashion.
At 1-3, the Jets are already in crisis mode, as they've dug themselves into an early hole that will be tough to get out of, especially considering the upcoming opponents on the schedule.
First up on Sunday—Philip Rivers and the AFC West-leading San Diego Chargers. After a tough one-point loss in its opener, San Diego has rattled off three straight victories, including an eye-opening victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers made it to the divisional round a season ago, but expectations are even higher this year, with some picking them as a Super Bowl sleeper.
Gang Green will have to bring their A-game if they're going to pull off the road upset over one of the AFC's best teams. A loss pretty much ends any hope for a playoff berth just five weeks into the season.
Click through to see a full preview and analysis, as well as a final score prediction, of the colossal Week 5 matchup.
Week 4 Recap
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Thing weren't pretty for Gang Green against the Detroit Lions last Sunday.
The offense sputtered throughout the first half and, at one point, had five straight three-and-outs, while the defense couldn't come up with stops when it mattered.
Play-calling and turnovers were the problems on offense. Marty Mornhinweg made some questionable decisions during the game, and Geno Smith committed two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter that buried any hope of a Jets victory.
On defense, the secondary was once again the issue. Despite the front seven getting consistent pressure on Matthew Stafford, the Lions quarterback tossed for nearly 300 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions (and Calvin Johnson barely even played).
The same errors that have plagued New York in previous losses were repeated against Detroit, and the lack of any kind of scoring offense has fans calling for Smith's benching.
The Jets are currently spinning out of control following the third straight loss, and only a win can provide some sort of remedy.
News and Notes
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Despite His Struggles, Jets Still Backing Geno Smith
Geno Smith has been committing the same kind of mistakes that doomed the team a year ago, but New York's coaching staff and front office are refusing to give up on the second-year signal-caller, at least publicly.
Earlier this week, Rex Ryan emphatically stated, "I'm confident in Geno. If Geno's healthy, then Geno Smith will start," per Dom Cosentino of The Star-Ledger.
Marty Mornhinweg also supported Smith. "Allow [Smith] an opportunity to rebound. We all make mistakes," the offensive coordinator said, according to Cosentino.
Despite their public endorsement of the second-round selection, Smith's job is anything but safe. And he knows it, which brings us to the next point.
Smith Losing His Composure Quickly
Smith obviously feels the pressure after a string of subpar performances and constant criticism from both fans and the media.
Jets fans lobbied for Smith to be benched in the fourth quarter of last week's contest, and that led the West Virginia product to curse out a man in the crowd after the game.
The 23-year-old's composure hasn't improved in recent days either, as he was very cranky with a reporter earlier this week when the latter suggested the idea of Michael Vick playing for a full quarter instead of just a single play, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
It's clear that the pressure is getting to the embattled quarterback, and the only way Smith can quiet the haters is if he improves his play considerably.
Here Comes Jace Amaro?
After struggling through minicamp and the offseason, Jace Amaro was a non-factor in the first two weeks of the season, registering just three catches for 13 yards.
However, the rookie tight end has been one of the team's most productive receiving targets in the last fortnight, catching eight passes for 112 yards on just nine targets.
The Texas Tech product has proved to be a reliable checkdown receiver for Geno Smith, and he's provided a necessary additional target in the offense.
The Jets had high hopes for Amaro when they took him in the second round of this offseason's draft, and it appears the rookie is making good on their faith before anyone could have predicted.
Injury Report
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| Player | Injury | Status |
| Willie Colon | Knee | Questionable |
| Eric Decker | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Damon Harrison | Ankle | Probable |
| David Nelson | Ankle | Doubtful |
| Chris Johnson | Ankle | Probable |
| Nick Mangold | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Dee Milliner | Quadriceps | Probable |
| Calvin Pryor | Thigh | Probable |
*All injury statuses courtesy of the official website of the New York Jets.
The Jets secondary is obviously one of the team's weakest positional units, but it will receive a major boost this weekend, as both Dee Milliner and Calvin Pryor are in line to play after practicing fully on Thursday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
However, Gang Green does have some serious injury concerns at other positions, specifically wide receiver. No. 1 wideout Eric Decker is a huge question mark, along with veteran David Nelson, per Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger.
It looks as if New York's defense will be able to perform at its highest level, as it finally has all the starters together.
The offense, on the other hand, will be without two of its best pass-catchers. Jeremy Kerley and Jace Amaro, the other two primary receivers, need to have big games to make up for the absence of Decker and Nelson.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Dee Milliner vs. Keenan Allen
As previously stated, Dee Milliner is finally healthy and ready to suit up.
Unfortunately for Milliner, he will be thrown right into the fire, as he will likely match up with one of the best young wideouts in the game in Keenan Allen.
Allen had a huge rookie season, recording 71 catches for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. As one of Philip Rivers' top targets, he's on his way to another big season.
The California product has great size at 6'2", 211 pounds, reliable hands and great route-running ability, and he will give Milliner one of his toughest challenges to date.
If the second-year cornerback can contain the second-year receiver, the Jets secondary may be able to limit San Diego's aerial attack.
However, if Allen has his way with Milliner, the Chargers passing game could be in for a monster day.
Jets Pass Rush vs. Philip Rivers
New York currently possesses the best pass rush in football with 14 sacks through four games. The next closest team, the Chiefs, has just 12.
The Jets' dominant defensive line, led by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, is mainly responsible for the increase in pressure on the quarterback, as it is of dominating any opposing offensive line and creating mayhem in the backfield.
Gang Green's elite front seven has to get Rivers out of his comfort zone by constantly pressuring the veteran quarterback, or else the perennial Pro Bowler could have a field day against the Jets' weak secondary.
If Rex Ryan and his troops can get to Rivers, New York may have a good shot at pulling off the upset.
Geno Smith vs. Chargers Secondary (And Himself)
After a strong first couple of games, Geno Smith has reverted back to his rookie self.
Smith has committed four critical turnovers in the last pair of contests, three of which came in the fourth quarter.
The second-year quarterback has managed to make some plays, but his mistakes have cost the Jets some key possessions and ultimately victories.
On Sunday, the former West Virginia standout will face off with the Chargers' 11th-ranked secondary, which includes Pro Bowlers Eric Weddle and Brandon Flowers.
While Smith is sure to have a tough time having his way with San Diego's defensive back end, the most significant aspect of his game is avoiding committing key turnovers that cost the Jets a win.
Jets' X-Factor of the Week: Jeremy Kerley
Jeremy Kerley is one of New York's most explosive offensive players, but the slot receiver has had a roller-coaster ride of a season thus far.
He played a major role in Weeks 1 and 3, catching 12 of his 16 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown, but was basically invisible in Weeks 2 and 4, reeling in just four of his 11 targets for 25 yards.
The TCU product has the ability to create mismatches with opposing defenses and open up the offensive playbook, but consistency has been an issue throughout his short career.
However, Kerley will need to bring his best on Sunday, as he will be the top target with both Eric Decker and David Nelson not expected to play.
If Kerley has another poor showing, the Jets offense will have a tough time moving the ball downfield.
Prediction
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The Jets can't afford a loss, but it's difficult envisioning any other result this Sunday.
The Chargers have emerged as one of the AFC's best and most complete teams in the last couple of seasons, and they are even deadlier at home.
New York, on the other hand, has looked like a middling squad thus far and has struggled on the road in the Geno Smith era, recording just two wins in nine contests away from MetLife Stadium.
Gang Green's elite defensive front and strong running game will keep the Jets in this one, but Philip Rivers will have his way with the secondary, and Smith will commit one late turnover that will cost the team the game and ultimately his starting job.
Expect another tough loss and for the Jets to fall to a disheartening 1-4 on the young season.
Prediction: Chargers 27, Jets 20
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