Chargers at Jets
THE STORY: Pardon the pun, but Rex Ryan put his foot in his mouth when assessing the San Diego Chargers' shortcomings in recent years. "I think I would have had a couple of (Super Bowl) rings," the brash New York Jets coach said on Wednesday. "I'm telling you, those teams were loaded. There's no question about it. But things happen for a reason." Although Chargers coach Norv Turner initially elected to defuse the situation, he did respond with a verbal jab of his own after accepting Ryan's apologetic phone call. “I was a little bit surprised by the call," he said. "And then after I saw the quote, I didn’t have a chance to ask him this, but I was wondering if he had those rings with the ones he guaranteed the last couple years.” On Sunday, the AFC West-leading Chargers will look to ring the necks of the host Jets.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Chargers -2, O/U 43.5
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-1): Mired in early-season troubles over the last few years, San Diego has gotten out of the blocks smoothly this season – and may have gotten healthier after its bye week. Tight end Antonio Gates (plantar fasciitis) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (hamstring, abdomen) were limited in practice this week, but are expected to play Sunday against the Jets' fifth-ranked pass defense. With Jackson likely to be covered by Darrelle Revis, last week's AFC Defensive Player of the Week, Malcom Floyd will see his fair share of Antonio Cromartie, who will face his former team for the first time after being traded in March 2010.
ABOUT THE JETS (3-3): Shonn Greene has struggled mightily this season, but did rush 23 times for 127 yards when the Jets last faced the Chargers in January 2010. His 53-yard touchdown helped New York post a 17-14 road victory in the playoffs. The Jets' offense sputtered but still had enough to snap a three-game losing skid with a 24-6 victory over the woeful Miami Dolphins on Monday. Revis returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown before outspoken wideout Santonio Holmes had a 38-yard touchdown reception.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson will face his former team for the first time. Tomlinson played 141 games for the Chargers after being drafted as part of the Michael Vick trade. In that deal, Drew Brees and wideout Tim Dwight came to San Diego.
2. After struggling during his rookie campaign, Ryan Mathews has rolled up 304 yards and two touchdowns in his last three games.
3. Jets WR Plaxico Burress may have been released from jail, but he is struggling to get free in the secondary. Burress has just 10 catches in his last five games.