And Mark Sanchez is executing better and has eliminated his turnovers. He is much more poised in the pocket and his accuracy has been outstanding. He finished last week’s game completing 12-15 but it could have easily been 14-15 if it were not for two drops.

The Jets are hot just at the right time and have a ton of momentum going into San Diego. It will be important for them to get it going early. The Chargers have not scored less than 20 points all season so if the Jets are going to win, they must dictate the tempo in order to avoid a shootout.

San Diego has the 20th ranked rushing defense, giving up 118 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. The middle of their defense is particularly vulnerable since it lost All-Pro nose tackle Jamaal Williams for the season. His replacement, Ian Scott, is nothing close to the player Williams is and the Jets should take advantage.

Center Nick Mangold has a decided edge in this match up. Besides, he is used to blocking NT’s in the 3-4 system and should be able to create some movement versus Scott.

With Shawne Merriman nursing a foot injury, the Jets will catch a break. Merriman is hands down the biggest playmaker on the Chargers’ defense but injuries have slowed him down the last two seasons.

He is listed as questionable on the Chargers’ injury report and will definitely play on Sunday. The question is, how effective will he be?

At full strength, Merriman is one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. But with little playing time over the last six weeks, I expect him to be rusty and unaccustomed to the speed and physicality of the game.

Merriman has missed two games over the Chargers’ last eight and has no sacks and only eight tackles in the six in which he has played. He certainly benefited from the Chargers’ bye week but has been limited in practice.

The Jets will gain a significant advantage with Merriman at less than 100%. He plays with a ton of intensity and is the emotional leader of the defense but his impact will be limited if he is not making plays.

He is normally very fast off the edge and his pass rushing skills are what make this defense click. The Chargers can get to the quarterback without him but if he is a non-factor, it gives the Jets other players to focus on.

Schottenheimer can direct more attention to Shaun Phillips on the other side. Phillips is a true playmaker. He has forced 7 fumbles this season and has 7 sacks. His production has dipped during Merriman’s absence, which also bodes well for the Jets.

Phillips lines up predominantly on the left side so he will be squaring off against Damien Woody. With Phillips’ speed, this is a mismatch that favors the Chargers.

The Jets will need to roll help to Woody’s side on passing downs. With D’Brickashaw Ferguson facing a hobbled Merriman, he should be able handle him one-on-one.

To win this game, the Jets must be able to run the football and their offensive line must impose its will on the Chargers’ defense. The Chargers win more with speed so the Jets must win the physical battle in the trenches.

Do not be surprised if the Jets use a lot of power formations in the running game. We have seen them use extra linemen in short yardage situations but they should incorporate it more into the game plan this week if for nothing else than to send a message to the Chargers – “We are going to pound you all day and not let up”.

Wayne Hunter and Rob Turner will certainly get some action as the Jets try to dominate the point of attack. With no Jamaal Williams and a limited Shawn Merriman, this team is not as physical as it used to be.

The Jets must come out and physically dominate this San Diego defense.

It will be very interesting to see how Ryan and Schottenheimer rotate their running backs. After a long season and a lot of carries, Thomas Jones’ legs look tired.

He hurt his knee against Cincinnati but that was not why Shonn Greene got the majority of carries. Greene is fresher and has the better burst.

The Jets are 6-0 when Greene gets 10 or more carries.  Don’t think Rex Ryan doesn’t know that.  If Greene gets some big runs early, expect him to carry the load the rest of the way.

The Jets’ recent offensive success is the direct result of Brian Schottenheimer’s varied game plans. He introduced new wrinkles versus the Bengals in consecutive weeks and will need similar variety to catch the Chargers off guard.

Two weeks ago it was Brad Smith running the option (or “Tiger Cat” as they like to call it) for big gains. Last week it was a lot of misdirection in the running game along with a heavy dose of Dustin Keller.

This week Schottenheimer must add a dimension the Chargers have not seen on film yet. Ryan has talked up Braylon Edwards this week saying he is due to breakout.

Edwards will be matched up against Antonio Cromartie who is one of the better cover corners in the league. But Cromartie is more of a speed cover man who turns his hips well and can shadow downfield. He is not as adept at bump and run coverage which should allow Edwards some clean releases.

The Jets should work both Edwards and Cotchery on quick slants. The Chargers like to bring pressure off the edge so Schottenheimer should have Sanchez taking more 3 and 5-step drops in order to get the ball out quickly.

The slants over the middle should keep the defense honest while keeping Sanchez out of harm’s way. Sanchez must also continue his streak of mistake-free football. The Jets cannot win this game if they lose the turnover battle.

Expect Ryan to continue his recent formula of limiting Sanchez to 15-20 passes. If the Jets get behind by a couple of touchdowns it will be difficult for them to catch up.

Sanchez has not shown the reliability to throw the ball around the field. He has been at his best throwing off rollouts and naked bootlegs. If he is asked to sit in the pocket and bring the Jets back he could start turning the ball over again.

In order to win in San Diego, the Jets must over power the Chargers physically. They must pound them between the tackles with their running game and control the clock. That will enable them to keep the score close and limit Phillip Rivers’ chances.

The playoffs are about momentum and stepped up intensity and right now the Jets have both. The Chargers have not played in two weeks and may need time to get in a rhythm.

The Jets must jump on them early and force them to play their style. If the Jets can slow the game down and dictate the pace they have an excellent chance to win.


Keys

• Nick Mangold must win his match up versus Ian Scott. If he can create creases up the middle, the Jets will have a field day running the football versus this defense.

• The Jets should use more power formations in the running game. Without Jamaal Williams and a limited Shawne Merriman, this team is not as physical as it once was. The Jets’ offensive line must physically dominate the Chargers’ front.

• Shonn Greene should continue to get the bulk of the carries. Thomas Jones should still be part of the game plan but he does not have the same burst as Greene and the Jets will need his speed through the hole against a fast San Diego defense.

• Roll help toward Damien Woody on pass plays. Shaun Phillips is too quick for Woody who will need support from the running back.

• Schottenheimer should have Sanchez taking short drops and hitting quick slants to Edwards and Cotchery. The Chargers like to blitz off the edge, which should open holes in the short zones.

• The Jets must get on the board early and slow down the tempo of the game. They cannot get into a shootout with the Chargers and must sustain drives with its running game. That will keep Phillip Rivers off the field and the scoring down to a manageable level.