Can the Los Angeles Chargers Avoid Disaster Against the New York Jets?

Dan Favale
By , Updated on: Apr 9, 2024 08:00 PM
Can the Los Angeles Chargers Avoid Disaster Against the New York Jets?

Few teams have been more disappointing during the 2023 NFL season than the Los Angeles Chargers. Not even a Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears has helped their odds to make the NFL playoffs

In fact, if the Chargers want to make the postseason, they almost need a win over the New York Jets in Week 9. Will they emerge from this showdown on Monday Night Football with a second straight win? Or will the surprisingly above-.500 Jets steal the show? Before we decide, here a the latest NFL online betting odds New York vs. Los Angeles, which will kickoff on November 6, at 8:15 p.m. eastern standard time, on the field at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey:

FavoriteBetUSBetUSUnderdog
Los Angeles Chargers-152+128New York Jets

Make sure to double-check these online NFL betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Jets betting odds are accurate entering Tuesday, October 30. That gives the best NFL online betting sites plenty of time to adjust their lines in advance of Monday night’s nationally televised start.

Though the Chargers are slight favorites, it says a lot about the Jets that they’re far from distant underdogs. Aaron Rodgers remains out for the season with an Achilles injury, and the offense has suffered accordingly. But the defense is elite, and it has allowed them to eke out victories against respectable foes like the Philadelphia Eagles. Could they be the team that sends Los Angeles into what will likely be an existential crisis? Let’s get to some NFL Week 9 picks!

Can the Los Angeles Chargers Offense be Trusted to Score on the New York Jets?

Los Angeles’ passing offense has ranked among the team’s brightest spots this season. They are sixth in net yards gained per passing attempt and fourth in total passing touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Herbert has also done a relatively nice job projecting the ball. The Chargers have thrown the fifth fewest interceptions in the league. 

However, the Jets have the skill to flip all of this on its head. Their passing defense is a blend of frenetic and unforgiving. They rank fifth in interceptions forced and just three NFL teams allow fewer yards per passing attempt. New York has proven vulnerable against the run in the open field, but the combination of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley has so far underwhelmed.

Rickety defensive stands also leave the Chargers uniquely vulnerable to, well, just about every offense. That includes the Jets. If Los Angeles plays too many zone sets, it will give Zach Wilson enough time to keep the chains moving, even if only across the middle of the field. That’s why we expect the Chargers to be more aggressive sending blitzes. The Jets don’t have a ton of downfield playmakers, and Wilson has struggled under pressure. Coupled with his poor decision-making in most games, this is a matchup that’s conducive to Los Angeles taking risks without suffering a ton of consequences.

Everything should inevitably come down to the Chargers offense.They’ll have their work cut out for them. But they should hang enough points on the board to squeak out a victory and return to .500.

OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers (-152)

Los Angeles Rams To beat the New York Jets
-152
BetUS

Will New York Make Los Angeles Sweat Out a Week 9 Victory?

Strong defenses endear themselves to oddsmakers. That’s the case when looking at the point spread betting odds for Chargers vs. Jets:

  • Los Angeles Chargers, -3 (-110)
  • New York Jets, +3 (-110)

The markets have yet to favor one spread or the other. That’s a testament to the Jets. As Bolts from Blue’s Kyle DeDiminicantanio wrote:

“This will be the toughest defense the Chargers have faced, with Keenan Allen likely squaring off with Sauce Gardner, the big-bodied cornerback that immediately made a case for himself as one of the best defensive backs in the game in his rookie season. The Chargers’ offensive line will be tasked with preventing Quinnen Williams from taking over the game, a tall order for a team missing their All-Pro center Corey Linsley.”

Los Angeles’ offensive line is the wild card in all of this. Herbert is getting sacked on 5.6 percent of offensive plays—the largest share of his career. If the Chargers cannot buy him time or modicums of space, they’ll be in trouble.

That makes it tempting to roll with the Jets at +3. Four of their games have been determined by six or fewer points. But New York’s own offense is too much of a wild card, too. It’s one thing to shut down the New York Giants. It’s another to stop the Chargers.

OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers, -3 (-110)

Los Angeles Rams To cover the point spread against the Arizona Cardinals
-110
BetUS

Linemakers are Expecting the Jets Defense to Ugly Up the Game Against the Chargers

Congratulations to the Chargers! Your offense is good enough that the NFL over/under betting lines for Week 9 have this game clearing 40 points. But just barely. You can see for yourself below:

  • Over 41.5 (-105)
  • Under 41.5 (-115)

Bettors appear to be flocking towards the “under.” That’s probably the right call.

New York has generally turned in their best offensive performances versus teams with lackluster rushing defenses. The Chargers, however, have been capably stingy against the run this year. They’ll have more bodies up front if they decided to blitz at a higher rate, as well. This shifts the burden of scoring onto the shoulders of Zach Wilson. That’s not a proposition we’re inclined to invest in. 

Even if the Chargers offense puts up 25-plus points, there’s still a chance this game hits the “under.”

OSB Prediction: Under 41.5 (-115)

Jets and Chargers To score under 41.5 combined points
-110
BetUS

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your 2023 NFL betting:

Meet the author

Dan Favale

Dan Favale leverages over 12 years of sports journalism expertise in his role as New York staff writer. He provides in-depth analysis across the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, tennis, NASCAR, college basketball, and sports betting. Dan co-hosts the popular Hardwood Knocks NBA podc...

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