NFL Picks Week 7: Philip Rivers Will Lead San Diego Chargers over New York Jets

The San Diego Chargers are off to an unusually good start this season, and they will continue their impressive play against the New York Jets in Week 7.

The Jets did not play well against the winless Miami Dolphins on Monday night football, and at 3-3 they need a win to catch up to the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.

New York's passing game has been very weak this season, and their running game hasn't been impressive either. If not for their defense the Jets could be in a much worse situation than 3-3.

Their opponent this week will not be an easy one, as quarterback Philip Rivers leads his strong offense into MetLife Stadium looking to improve upon the team's AFC West-leading 5-1 record.

Rivers is one of the top five quarterbacks in football, and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Wide receivers Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson, along with all-pro tight end Antonio Gates make the Chargers passing offense quite difficult to defend.

The Chargers are typically a slow starting team, but have matured this season and are playing very good football in the fourth quarters of games.

Their only defeat was to the New England Patriots on the road, which was a game San Diego had chances to win.

Against the Jets, they will pressure quarterback Mark Sanchez, who looks a bit gun shy in the pocket. Sanchez hasn't improved this season and doesn't look comfortable moving in the pocket, especially when there is pressure.

When Rivers isn't carving up the Jets defense through the air, running back Ryan Mathews will be a force on the ground.

He can be effective in the passing game with short passes, screen plays and is a goal line threat.

The Chargers offense will put up too many points for the offensively-challenged Jets to match this Sunday. Unlike last week against the last-place Miami Dolphins, the Jets defense won't be able to create points.

Rivers won't make the killer interception that costs his team the game.

The Jets will lose on Sunday, while the Chargers climb the ladder of the NFL's elite heading toward the second half of the season.

Image taken from here.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates.  Follow @NicholasGoss35