Chargers @ Jets Week 9 Game Preview
Jonathan Fuller breaks down the Week 9 matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Jets from a fantasy football and betting perspective.
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Jets
Monday Night Football brings us an intriguing matchup of strength against strength when the Chargers and Jets square off at MetLife.
The Chargers' offense is top 10 in points per game, while their defense is in the bottom 10 for points allowed.
On the other hand, the Jets' offense is in the bottom 10 for points per game, while their defense is in the top 10.
So which side will win out?
Although they have a 4-3 record on the season, the Jets have been winning in spite of Zach Wilson rather than because of him. Wilson has yet to reach 250 passing yards in any game this season, and his pass catchers are suffering as a result.
The Jets' offense has yet to produce a top-12 WR finish in any week this season despite having one of the league’s most talented young receivers in Garrett Wilson. If there was ever a matchup where Wilson could deliver a truly great fantasy performance, it could be against this Chargers team that can score but struggles to slow down opposing offenses.
The Chargers have given up points across the board, so we can expect another good game from Breece Hall, who has finished as a top-10 RB in three consecutive weeks. Hall is the RB4 in the Fantasy Life consensus ranks for Week 9 and will be the Jets' best shot at explosive plays each time they have the ball.
No one else on the Jets is really in fantasy consideration.
For as turbulent as the start to their season has been, the Chargers aren’t in a terrible position at 3-4 with winnable matchups against the Jets and Packers in two of their next three games.
But this is a tricky matchup for a team that has historically found creative ways to lose.
The Jets' defense is the clear strength of their team, and they will need to contain Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen if they are going to leave NJ with a W.
After starting the season with a ridiculous 402 receiving yards in his first three games, Allen has cooled off a bit and now faces the defense allowing the fewest points to opposing WRs.
He should still be in your lineup, but hopefully, you won’t be in need of a monster game to save your fantasy matchup on Monday night because that seems unlikely.
It’s a better matchup for Ekeler, who has struggled to find much rushing production since he returned from injury. He actually has more receiving yards (136) than rushing yards (101) in the three games since he returned.
Ekeler, Herbert, and Keenan Allen are all must-start players, but you probably won’t want to have anyone else from this offense in your lineup this week. Quentin Johnston is one to watch for the coming weeks however, if his role continues to grow, he has league-winning potential down the stretch.
The Chargers are 3.5-point favorites, but I don’t trust them at all, and the game total sitting at 40 points is another red flag that makes me want to stay away. If I decide to put anything on this game, I’ll probably roll with a Breece-Hall anytime TD and call it a night.