Chargers defense outplays vaunted Jets unit, keeping N.Y. out of end zone in road win
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — They were top 10 for the season against the pass and in points allowed.
They’d already beaten Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts.
They hadn’t yielded more than two touchdowns in any game.
Everyone knew the defenders on the New York Jets were good.
And perhaps no one knew that better than the defenders on the Los Angeles Chargers. Certainly, no one took it more personally.
Breaking down the notable numbers behind the Chargers’ 27-6 road victory over the New York Jets on Monday — scoring and statistics.
“It pissed us off,†safety Derwin James Jr. said. “We heard how good they were all week. … We wanted to come out and hold our own and show that we got a great defense, too. Today was a step toward that.â€
A giant, dominant step, one that landed on the collective throat of the Jets’ offense.
The Chargers sacked New York’s Zach Wilson eight times and generated all three of the game’s turnovers in a 27-6 victory at MetLife Stadium.
They forced four three-and-outs, limited the Jets to three of 17 on third down and zero of two in the red zone, and gave up just 3.5 yards per play.
“Six points?†safety Alohi Gilman said. “In the NFL? You can’t take that lightly, man. It’s hard to stop offenses in this league. We take a lot of pride in that. I think we deserve a little more respect than we get.â€
New York’s vaunted defense didn’t disappoint, pressuring Justin Herbert in a manner that resulted in five sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
Herbert finished 16 of 30 for 136 yards, a career low. The Chargers totaled 191 yards, the franchise’s fewest in a game since 2014. During one five-possession stretch, they produced only three first downs.
Still, they won by three touchdowns after taking an early 14-0 lead, their advantage never falling below double digits after the first quarter.
When it was over, the fun spilled into the locker room, where much of the defense danced in a boisterous carnival while several teammates bounced around with their phones held aloft, recording the joy.
“Energy,†James said. “It’s fun when you win, and it’s fun when you do it together. When it ain’t a one-man show and everybody’s connected, this is the type of fun that happens. Ain’t no place better to be after a win.â€
The victory was as significant as it was celebrated, leveling the Chargers’ record at 4-4 as they cling to their postseason hopes in a crowded AFC. Nine teams in the conference have four or five wins.
The Chargers stopped the Jets’ three-game winning streak and have won two in a row after suffering back-to-back defeats to Dallas and Kansas City.
“It feels great,†edge rusher Joey Bosa said. “I think the energy’s good. The mind-set was really good the last couple weeks, especially following a couple of tough losses. I think we’re heading in the right direction.â€
Bosa, as healthy as he has been since early in the season, provided a beacon for his teammates to follow. He finished with 2.5 sacks and six tackles. On one of his sacks, he forced Wilson to fumble and then fell on the loose ball.
Eight plays later, the Chargers’ offense was in the end zone — on the first of Austin Ekeler’s two short scoring runs — to go up 14-0 barely 12 minutes into the game.
“It’s fun, especially when you get up [on the scoreboard],†Bosa said. “It’s fun knowing that they’re going to throw the ball and you can get after them a little bit. I’m just super proud of the guys.â€
Khalil Mack added two sacks and so did rookie Tuli Tuipulotu as the Chargers’ top three edge rushers simply forced their way into Wilson’s personal space. In all, the Chargers’ sacks pushed the Jets backward 57 yards.
Mack ran his season sack total to nine, the most he has had in one season since 2020, when he made the sixth of his seven Pro Bowls. The NFL’s current sack leader is Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter with 10.
“Hall of Famer, man,†James said. “He’s leaving a legacy for the Chargers. Not just him being an elite pass rusher, but for him to come here and be the leader he is and connect the young guys … he’s so unselfish.â€
When the Chargers traded for Mack before last season, the expectation was that he and Bosa would form a dynamic pairing. With Bosa having missed 12 games in 2022 because of a groin injury, the Chargers are finally starting to see their plans come to life.
“When we’re healthy, that’s how they’ll rush,†coach Brandon Staley said. “They just haven’t been healthy together for very long. But when they’ve been healthy together, that’s how they’ve played. That’s why we have to keep them that way.â€
Coach Sean McVay gave every indication Monday that Matthew Stafford (injured thumb on throwing hand) would return to action after the Rams’ off week.
Mack also forced a fumble, as did Gilman, who picked up the turnover caused by Mack and ran 48 yards, setting up the Chargers’ final touchdown.
Hard hits by Gilman (on wide receiver Allen Lazard) and James (on running back Breece Hall) in the first quarter quickly established how much the Chargers were intent on flexing their defensive prowess.
For Gilman, the game marked a true return from the heel injury that cost him three games in October.
“Guy’s a baller, bro,†James said. “He makes plays, and he’s a ball magnet. Everybody in the league’s gotta start realizing who he is.â€
With more performances such as the one produced Monday night, the NFL will start to notice Gilman — and the rest of the defenders on the Chargers.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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