Jets – Chargers LIVE: Monday Night Football preview, kickoff time … – Marca English
Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season wraps up with an intriguing clash at MetLife Stadium between the Los Angeles Chargers (3-4) and the New York Jets (4-3). Kickoff is slated for 8:15 ET.
The host Jets are in a playoff position entering this matchup, and — following the Dolphins‘ and Bills‘ losses on Sunday — will hope to get back in the fight for an improbable AFC East crown. Meanwhile, the visiting Chargers want to get back to .500 and stay in contention for a wild card berth after the division rivalRaiders‘ win on Sunday. Los Angeles is a three-point favorite.
Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets – NFL Week 9 Monday Night Football, live updates from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ:
The Chargers and Jets have played several memorable games over the years, including two playoff games in the 2000s that went New York‘s way. Los Angeles leads the all-time regular season series and has not lost this matchup at MetLife Stadium in 12 years.
Jets rediscovering defensive identity
The additions of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Dalvin Cook were expected to make the Jets one of the NFL‘s most exciting teams, with an offense that could compete with anyone. But that’s not how it’s played out. Rodgers remains sidelined with an Achilles rupture, while Cook has yet to score a touchdown in 2023.
Rather, a strong defense has carried New York to three consecutive wins entering Monday night’s game. The Jets upended the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles three weeks ago and held the Giants to negative-9 passing yards in an ugly overtime win last week. Despite some struggles against the run, the Jets‘ pass defense has been elite, allowing just five yards per attempt this season — fourth-best in the NFL. Combine that with decent game management from quarterback Zach Wilson, and the Jets might have found a winning formula without Rodgers.
Chargers offense hoping to break through
Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles offense hammered the Chicago Bears last week, but the Jets pose a different kind of challenge to this inconsistent team.
The Chargers‘ 31st-ranked defense (by yards allowed) has hamstrung their top-10 offense, which has fought off injuries to star players Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams (who is out for the season) to put up at least 350 yards in consecutive weeks. Star players such as Joey Bosa, Derwin James, and Khalil Mack have struggled to perform consistently in 2023 — but they’ll get a chance to rectify that against Wilson and the Jets‘ offense.
