Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gameday Deciding Factors: Chargers at Jets

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets' drama play has come full circle, with quarterback Mark Sanchez getting benched for Greg McElroy following a five-turnover performance against the lowly Tennessee Titans that saw Gang Green get eliminated from playoff contention.

The sensationalistic media has gotten everything they can out of a team that just wasn't very good to begin with, "underachievement's" aside. Sunday, they'll host the San Diego Chargers (5-9), a team that lives off of underachievement. (photo: Marianne O'Leary, Flickr)

Target practice. Who will be McElroy's go-to target Sunday? He's had limited work with the first team this season, not that "first team" means anything, anymore. He won't have the used-to-be reliable Dustin Keller, and Stephen Hill is done for the year. We'll see if McElroy finds good balance in taking shots at the big target Braylon Edwards with smart, conservative throws to Jeremy Kerley in space.

D-termined. The Jets' defense has been stellar as of late, climbing all the way from the bottom of the league to eighth in total defense despite the Jets' anemic offense keeping it on the field. If anything, Rex Ryan's squad will be playing for pride, trying to finish the season in the top 5 for the fourth straight season.

Rivers' generosity. Only Sanchez has more turnovers in the last two years than Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers. New York's defense will need to take advantage of that. The Jets have made timely turnovers all season long, but the offense rarely converted on them. McElroy needs to prove he can build off of the momentum the defense creates rather than muffle it.

CareerBuilder. No job is safe in the Jets' organization. Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is likely a goner after the season, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine reportedly turned down an offer for a contract extension, Ryan could be on thin ice soon and general manager Mike Tannenbaum is a potential housecleaning candidate. Simply put, the Jets' coaching staff and management better work their tails off in a season-ending stretch to prove their worth.
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A week in Jets posts at AFCEastDaily.com:

Week 16 AFC East game picks: Chargers at Jets

Norv Turner could be on a business trip at MetLife

Like McElroy, Braylon slated for two-game audition

Around-the-Web AFC East power rankings: Week 16

Rex makes necessary switch to McElroy, not Tebow

New York Jets' season ends in typical Jets fashion