
Winners of 11 straight and coming off a bye week, the San Diego Chargers are certainly flying high. The Bolts (13-3) host the surging New York Jets (10-7) in the AFC Divisional Playoffs Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. The Jets entered the playoffs as the fifth seed, advancing to the Divisional Round by upsetting the Bengals 24-14 in Cincinnati on Saturday. Sitting out of the playoff picture a month and a half ago, the Jets won five of their last six to make the postseason. The Jets have played old-school football all season long, riding their stout defense and league-best rushing attack. In the regular season, New York’s defense allowed the fewest total yards (252.3) and passing yards (153.7) per game. Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ fifth-ranked passing attack might have trouble finding holes in the Jets secondary. Expect Rivers to avoid Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis (seven interceptions in 2009), who will most likely line up opposite 1,000-yard wideout Vincent Jackson. If the Chargers can’t exploit Jackson’s height advantage, expect Rivers to target receiver Malcom Floyd and tight end Antonio Gates. The Bolts offense finished the regular season ranked 31st in rushing, but with Rivers having a career year, they might not need to run to win. Defensively, Shawne Merriman and company are charged with stopping the Jets’ two-headed rushing attack of Shonn Green and Thomas Jones, who combined for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries against the Bengals. The Chargers defense has struggled against the run this year, allowing 117.8 rushing yards per game. The Jets will run to take pressure off rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has been at his best this season when not tasked with making big plays. Sanchez played an effective game against Cincinnati (12-for-15, 182 yards, 1 TD) but his 20 interceptions this season suggest that a big play could be out there for Antonio Cromartie or Quentin Jammer if Sanchez is pressured Sunday. The first score will be especially important in Sunday’s game. If the Chargers can get out to an early lead, it will force the mistake-prone Sanchez and the Jets out of their comfort zone. But if the game is close or the Jets have an early advantage, it could be a low-scoring slugfest that stats suggest would not favor the Chargers. Chargers fans are hoping Sunday’s game does not turn out like the 2004 Wild Card meeting between the two teams. The Jets came into Qualcomm Stadium and knocked off the Bolts 20-17 in overtime in the only previous playoff game between the old AFL clubs. The winner of the Chargers-Jets game will face the winner of Saturday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts (14-2) and the Baltimore Ravens (9-7) in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24. In the NFC, New Orleans (13-3) hosts Arizona (11-6) on Saturday and Minnesota (12-4) hosts Dallas (12-5) on Sunday. The Super Bowl will be held Feb. 7 in Miami. All-time series: Chargers lead 19-12-1 Last meeting: 2008 in San Diego, Chargers won 48-29 Prediction: Chargers 27, Jets 14