I put the blame for this loss almost all on Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding who missed three chip shot field goals in this game.  But, I do have to dig on Norv Turner who once again choked in the playoffs despite having a much better team than the Jets.  Philip Rivers was a little off yesterday but he still managed to complete 27 of 40 passes for 298 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards (1.3 ypc) with a TD run.  Darren Sproles should have been used more in this game as he carried the ball 3 times for 33 yards (11.0 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 30 yards (10.0 avg).  Yesterday was probably LaDainian Tomlinson’s swan song for the Chargers and it’s a shame he didn’t show up.  He carried the ball only 12 times for 24 yards (2.0 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 0 yards.  Vincent Jackson led the way in the passing game for the Chargers yesterday with 7 grabs for 111 yards (15.9 avg).  Antonio Gates also had a solid game with 8 catches for 93 yards (11.6 avg) yesterday.  TE Kris Wilson only caught 1 pass for the Chargers yesterday but it went for a 13-yard TD.  The Chargers finished up with 344 total yards on offense in this game (61 rushing, 283 passing).

The Chargers’ D did not play too bad in this game until the end when the Jets’ running game resulted in some big plays.  Linebacker Stephen Cooper led the way for the Chargers yesterday with 9 tackles (1 tackle for a loss).  Safety Eric Weddle also had a solid game with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit.  CB Quentin Jammer pitched in with 5 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 passed defensed and 1 interception.  The Jets finished up with 262 total yards in this game (169 rushing, 93 passing).  The Chargers season ends with the resounding thud once again.

The Jets are coming in on a hot streak but they have not played a team the caliber of the Chargers in quite some time.  The Chargers will likely come out of the locker-room throwing the ball with Philip Rivers attacking the Jets’ DBs with his very physical and tall WR and TE group.  Sure, CB Darrelle Revis will likely shut down one of the WRs (likely Vincent Jackson) on Sunday but he can’t cover everyone.  Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee could all have huge games on Sunday especially if the Jets can’t get much pressure on Philip Rivers.  The Chargers would love to get a early lead in this game to force the Jets out of their running game offensively, forcing Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air.  LaDainian Tomlinson could have a hard time getting a lot of yards against the Jets’ front seven so they may turn to Darren Sproles who has the speed to get the corner against the Jets.

The keys to the defense will be trying to slow down the Jets’ running  game and to stop TE Dustin Keller who had a good game for them last weekend.  The Chargers need NT Ian Scott and LBs Kevin Burnett and Stephen Cooper to control the middle of the field.  Because if the Jets are gashing the Chargers up the middle with Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones in the running game the Chargers could be in some trouble.  Safeties Eric Weddle and Kevin Ellison will be on the spot to deal with Dustin Keller of the Jets.  If the Chargers can force the Jets to throw the ball they will be in great shape.

PREDICTION:  CHARGERS 27, JETS 20

28-year old Philip Rivers keeps getting better and that should be scary to the Chargers’ opponents in the playoffs and in the future.  He played in all 16 games for the Chargers this season and he completed 317 of 486 passes (65.2%) for 4,524 yards with 28 TD passes and 9 INTs (104.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 26 times for 50 yards (1.9 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Rivers has now played in 68 games in his NFL career and he has completed 1,207 of 1,914 passes (63.1%) for 14,951 yards with 106 TD passes and only 45 INTs (95.8 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 139 times for 210 yards (1.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs in his career.  The best is yet to come for Rivers who will likely lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl win in the very near future.

33-year old Billy Volek is one of the best back-up QBs in the NFL.  He played in 4 games for the Chargers this season and he completed 20 of 31 passes (64.5%) for 231 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT (84.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 9 times for -9 yards (-1.0 ypc) this season.  Volek has now played in 34 games in his NFL career and he has completed 336 of 560 passes (60%) for 3,746 yards with 27 TD passes and 15 INTs (84.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 46 times for 38 yards (0.8 ypc) with 2 TD runs in his career.  Volek would start for a lot of teams in the NFL so the Chargers are very happy to have him backing up Philip Rivers.

The Chargers have signed 29-year old linebacker Dontarrious Thomas.  Thomas did not play in the NFL during the 2009 season.  He has played in 63 games in his NFL career and he has made 144 tackles, defensed 2 passes, has 1.5 sacks and he has forced 1 fumble.  The main job for Thomas during the playoffs will likely be on special teams for the Chargers.

The San Diego Chargers (13-3) didn’t need their starters in at the end of the game to pull of a late comeback win over the Washington Redskins (4-12) on Sunday.  With the Chargers down 20-16, Philip Rivers’ backup Billy Volek threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Mike Tolbert to win the game for the Chargers.  Rivers and the starters played a little, and still made an impact.  Rivers threw for 99 yards and 1 touchdown on 9/15 passes, while Volek went 19/30 for 216 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.  The running game didn’t look very strong, getting only 50 yards on 17 carries, but it was mostly backups who were still somewhat effective.

The Chargers defense did give up 339 total yards, but most of that came in the passing game.  They did a good job slowing down the Skins’ running game, holding them to 64 yards on 22 carries.  It was very nice to see a lot of the reserve players not only getting a chance to play, but making an impact and helping the Chargers comeback and win.  The Chargers have now won 11 in a row heading into the playoffs and are one of the favorites in the AFC to make it to the Super Bowl.

The San Diego Chargers (12-3) are hosting the Washington Redskins (4-11) and since the Chargers have sealed a first-round bye I wouldn’t expect the starters to play much in the second half.  The Chargers have two weeks off after this game though, so Phillip Rivers and his receivers should play most of the first half to keep some sort of rhythm going.  I wouldn’t expect LaDainian Tomlinson to get a lot of carries though, due to his age and general wear and tear.  The Chargers should be smart and rest him as much as they can.  This will be a good opportunity for the Chargers’ back-ups to show what they have and some of the young players can show Chargers fans what they might see in the future.

The Redskins will be playing with all of their starters, as their playoff hopes fell out the window long ago.  Quarterback Jason Campbell has had some good games this season, and if he goes up against a lot of back-ups he will probably take advantage and have another solid game.  The Redskins are not a good football team though, and the Chargers should be able to play them tough regardless of who is playing.  I expect the starters to get some playing time, so I am giving the Chargers a slight edge at home.

PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 27, Washington Redskins 24