Can the Jets continue to keep their heads above water?

Los Angeles Chargers (-3.0) at New York Jets

The Jets season appeared over before it ever started. After throwing just one pass, Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury. As he hobbled off the field at MetLife Stadium, everyone in New York felt the air go out of the building; an highly anticipated season was suddenly ruined.

Or was it? That’s no longer a foregone conclusion.

Somehow, the Jets have managed to tread water. Heading into Week 9, they’re sitting at 4-3, squarely in the AFC playoff picture. Now, there is talk that Rodgers could return before the end of the season, assuming New York is still in the mix.

Can they keep their improbable run rolling? Let’s assess.

What to like about the Jets…

• New York is giving up just 18.4 points per game. That’s the eighth-best average in the league. Holding opponents under 20 points will keep a team in every game, even with Zach Wilson at quarterback. It creates a situation where the Jets offense just needs to avoid mistakes, while making a big play or two along the way. They’ve managed to do that of late.

• After falling to 1-3, the Jets have won three-straight games. While victories over the Broncos and Giants might not seem all that impressive, the win over the Eagles that is sandwiched in between is hard to ignore. Philadelphia is arguably the best team in the NFL. Beating them is impressive. Plus, it’s just another sign that the Jets have found a winning formula; no matter the circumstances, they seem to believe that they can get it done.

• Breece Hall has turned into a legit dual-threat option out of the backfield. On the season, the running back has racked up 443 yards on 78 carries, a dazzling 5.7-yards-per-carry average. He’s also hauled in 19 passes for another 189 yards. One of his runs went for 83 yards, while a reception has gone for 50. In other words, he’s provided a spark to an offense that was searching for one.

What not to like about the Jets…

• The Jets can’t score. They’re averaging just 18 points per game on the season, Last week against the Giants, it took overtime for them to get to 13. Contrast that to the Chargers, a team that has no problem putting up points. On the season, Los Angeles is averaging 24.9 points per game, which is 10^th in the NFL. That nearly touchdown difference could be too much for the Jets to overcome.

• Justin Herbert is having a very good season. The Chargers quarterback is throwing for 270.0 yards per game, which is the sixth-highest average in the league. He’s also tossed 13 touchdowns. Contrast that to Zach Wilson. The Jets QB is averaging just 191.0 yards per game, with only five touchdowns. When it comes to the passing game, L.A. has a distinct advantage.

• The Chargers weakness isn’t the Jets strength, and vice versa. On defense, Los Angeles struggles against the pass, giving up 320.7 yards per game. But New York isn’t equipped to take advantage of that fact with Wilson at QB. On the other hand, L.A. is very good against the run, surrendering only 93.4 yards per game on the ground. That means they’ll be able to take away the one thing the Jets do well.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Chargers -3.0 (-110)

At some point, the clock is going to strike midnight on the Jets. It’s been impressive that they’ve remained above water for this long without Rodgers. Most people expected their season to already be down the drain. But the way the won last week against the Giants isn’t sustainable. And that’s against a bad team that is inept on offense. That’s not going to work this week when Justin Herbert and the Chargers roll into town.