CBS analysts: Jets have a tough road against the Chargers

The Jets have a fine rushing attack, and they’re going to need that, plus a solid passing game if they have any hopes of beating the San Diego Chargers in Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game, according to a panel of NFL analysts from CBS Sports during a weekly teleconference call.
Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf said the Jets must be able to run the ball effectively to have any chance of winning.
“I just don’t think their passing game is capable of stirring them to a playoff win,’’ he said. “So how aggressive will the Chargers be in trying to stop the Jets running attack? The Jets are so one-dimensional offensively that that’s where the whole game turns. Can the Jets run the football against San Diego? Because if they can’t, I don’t see any way they can win.’’
Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino said Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has to play “a near-perfect game” in order for the Jets to win, but he’s favoring San Diego to advance.
“The Jets are going to want to run the ball and keep Philip Rivers and the Chargers wide receiver corps off the field,’’ Marino said. “I just don’t think the Jets have the type of big-play capability to be able to stay with San Diego.’’
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms said the Chargers fear the Jets running game, and he believes Gang Green can still succeed even if the rushers aren’t dominant.
“Can the Jets win if they don’t have a great running day? Sure they can,’’ Simms said. “They can still make plays on defense. There can still be a few big pass plays from Sanchez.
“I expect the Jets and the Ravens both to try and sneak a few more passes in their gameplan to keep it a little balanced because the competitive level is going up, and so is the environment they’re playing in.’’
The Jets’ top-rated defense vs. the Chargers’ exciting wide-receiver corps has created a lot of buzz. Dierdorf said the Jets “are the real deal defensively,’’ and finds it hard to believe any opponent can pile the points on them. All the analysts are looking forward to the matchup of defensive back Darrelle Revis against receiver Vincent Jackson.
“I can’t wait to see that,’’ Simms said. “If Revis has a great game, I don’t know what it ensures because there are too many other guys who can catch and win the football game for the San Diego Chargers.’’
Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan has been able to meet the challenges facing his club each week.
“Rex Ryan has seemed to have been able to dial up a defense each week,’’ Cowher said, “but this may be his toughest challenge.’’
Dierdorf loves Ryan’s direct answers and calls him “a breath of fresh air.’’
“A personality is great, but it’s an incomplete package if there’s not discipline involved, as well,’’ Dierdorf said of the outspoken coach. “Rex demonstrated over the course of this season that he’s not afraid to call out a player who’s not playing well, to sit somebody down. He has shown that he is the complete package in terms of he’s got a nice personality but he’s not afraid to crack the whip, either.’’
“What he has done is all his way,’’ Simms added. “It’s real and absolutely filters down to the players. It keeps you loose, and a confident, loose player pays attention and practices well, and it shows on the weekends.’’
Simms has the call on the Jets game, and Dierdorf is working the Colts-Ravens game on Saturday night. Marino and Cowher will work on the studio show.