{"id":35469,"date":"2017-12-21T16:46:10","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T21:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=35469"},"modified":"2017-12-21T16:46:10","modified_gmt":"2017-12-21T21:46:10","slug":"week-16-los-angeles-chargers-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/12\/21\/week-16-los-angeles-chargers-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 16 Los Angeles Chargers Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

After an embarrassing loss<\/a> to the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>, the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>\u00a0find themselves sitting at 7-7. Their playoff hopes are in more danger now, but they are hardly out of the chase either. Assuming the 8-6 Chiefs do not blow their final two games, the Chargers can still fight for a wildcard spot. But they will have to win the final two games to have much of a shot. This week they are facing the 5-9 New York Jets<\/a>. Due to the Jets being depleted by injuries, this is not likely to be a difficult game. Still, here are the ways in which they can ensure their victory.<\/p>\n

Week 16 Los Angeles Chargers Keys to Victory<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Let the Defense Feast<\/h2>\n

The Jets are missing their starting quarterback\u00a0Josh McCown<\/a><\/strong>. They started this 38-year-old journeyman over their younger ones for a reason\u2014neither of them\u00a0are\u00a0very good. Bryce Petty<\/a><\/strong> is expected to start again. This should be a good opportunity for the defense to feast and get some turnovers. Joey Bosa<\/a><\/strong> and Melvin Ingram<\/a><\/strong> should be in prime position to get some pressure and sacks.<\/p>\n

A couple of Jets receivers (Ro<\/a>bby Anderson<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Jermaine Kearse<\/a><\/strong>)\u00a0had actually been doing pretty good lately. However, neither of them\u00a0were able to get much done with Petty throwing to them. And with Casey Hayward<\/a><\/strong> out there in coverage, one of them (likely Anderson<\/a>) is going to be basically totally shut down. With Petty likely to be pressured frequently, this is a good opportunity for Hayward to grab an interception. Others may likely get their opportunity as well. The point here is cause and effect\u2014send the defensive linemen after the quarterback frequently with some blitzing, and there will be sacks and turnovers as a result.<\/p>\n

Balance Out the Offense<\/h2>\n

Lately the Chargers have been leaning more directly on the passing game with Philip Rivers<\/a><\/strong>. This has been a very good thing. However, in the loss to the Chiefs, they also lost the tight end\u00a0Hunter Henry<\/a><\/strong> for the remainder of the season<\/a>. This might present a problem because he was essentially Rivers’\u00a0second favorite target after Keenan Allen<\/a><\/strong>. Antonio Gates<\/a><\/strong> is not what he used to be. Elsewhere in the receiving core, Tyrell Williams<\/a><\/strong> has been inconsistent and no one else has really done much in the last few games.<\/p>\n

What this should lead to is balancing out the offense a bit more than they\u00a0have\u00a0been. Give Melvin Gordon<\/a><\/strong> some more carries. The Jets run defense is not particularly tough, so getting him going should not be any more difficult than usual. Take some of the pressure off Rivers, since he has now lost one of his most dependable targets. Allen should not have much issue putting up a good performance. However, it is anyone’s guess as to whom will step up to be the reliable second option.<\/p>\n

Do Not Take the Foot Off the Gas Pedal<\/h2>\n

This has not really been an issue for the Chargers during the latter half of the season, but they still have been known to slow down after taking a big lead and thus sometimes the other team gets back into the game. They have no room for that kind of error at this point. They have the ability to put the game out of reach completely here, so they should not let up just because they go up by two scores or some other score that is\u00a0easier\u00a0to come back from.<\/p>\n

This would also coincide directly with not playing down to the competition. Just because the Jets\u00a0are not likely to give the Chargers much trouble does not mean they should relax. This is basically do or die now. They’re lucky at 7-7 to even have the opportunity to still fight for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, as the Chargers\u00a0try to win their final two games, they will be watching the other AFC wild card contenders. They will be hoping for either the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> or Tennessee Titans<\/a> (both 8-6) to drop their final two games, as they would hold tiebreakers over the Chargers. They do not have to worry as much about the Buffalo Bills<\/a> (also 8-6), as they would hold the tiebreaker over them and the Bills play the New England Patriots<\/a> this weekend. The Chargers can also can hope for the Chiefs to drop their final two games as well, though that seems less likely.<\/p>\n

The bottom\u00a0line\u00a0is that\u00a0the\u00a0Chargers should not have much issue pulling out this win. But they still need to be sure to bring their best effort to help themselves keep their playoff hopes while they hope for help.\u00a0Doing the key things described above might just help them do that.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>