NEWARK, N.J -- Same trip, same plan.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said his team will basically dust off the same itinerary the Bolts used in Week 5 when they earned their first victory of the season on the road against the New York Giants.
The Chargers will stay in the same hotel when they play at MetLife Stadium for the second time this season -- this time against the 5-9 New York Jets. At 7-7 with faint hopes of a postseason run, the Chargers hope for a similar result they had against the Giants.
Third-year pro Kyle Emanuel and the rest of the linebackers position group got into the holiday spirit with these festive outfits for the trip back east. The Chargers traveled on Friday for the Sunday game.
Linebackers' travel style 💯 pic.twitter.com/dtTofN3vqx
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 22, 2017
“Anytime you can have something similar and you’ve had success with it, I think it helps,” Lynn said. “We’re going to the same hotel and playing in the same stadium, so, yes, I do believe that helps.”
Let’s take a look at a couple of questions from this week’s mailbag.
Will Tyrell Williams take on a larger role in the offense with Henry out? Who will get the majority of Henry's available targets? #chargersmail
— JP (@idkandidc1234) December 23, 2017
@eric_d_williams: Tyrell Williams has been targeted 14 times over the last three games. And with tight end Hunter Henry out, Williams should help pick up some of the slack, particularly with his ability to create chunk plays.
I think Williams has a good matchup on the perimeter against the Jets’ smaller corners if he gets man coverage.
The Jets have given up 27 passing touchdowns this year, tied for second-worst in the NFL. And New York has allowed 53 passing plays of 20 yards or more, also second-worst in the NFL.
So the Chargers and Philip Rivers should have some opportunities to create big plays against a leaky Jets’ secondary. Williams' 17.4 yards per reception is No. 6 in the league among qualified receivers.
Will we finally see more of J. Brown on the field with Perryman most likely out? Or will Hayes-Pullard make the start?
— Francisco Sanchez (@franchez619) December 23, 2017
@eric_d_williams: We should see Hayes Pullard start in place of Denzel Perryman at middle linebacker. However, I do expect the Chargers to run a little more base personnel, which means that Jatavis Brown or Korey Toomer should be on the field more on early down situations.
However, according to ESPN Stats & Information, the Jets ran 3-WR personnel (one running back, three receivers and one tight end) on 571 plays this season, tied for eighth-most in the NFL, so the Chargers likely will run some dime defense (six defensive backs) against that personnel group. That means a heavy dose of Adrian Phillips close to the line of scrimmage.
Brown tied with Phillips last week with a game-high eight combined tackles in a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. And the Chargers will need Brown to be active again on Sunday against a Jets’ offense that will look to run the football with Bryce Petty making his second start of the season in place of injured quarterback Josh McCown.
