Norv Turner has a healthy team.

Chargers.com

Good news for Charger fans came midweek when the Chargers injury report was released. It was about as clean as it can get. The list had only Mike Scifres listed as “probable” for an injured groin.

“Last Wednesday, if we did this, there would have been a host of names on the injury report, and there would be some guys that I was concerned if they could play or not,” says Chargers head coach Norv Turner. “I think we’re going to be as healthy as you could ask to be going into a game at this point.”

As for Scifres, that should not be too much of a concern. His name has appeared on the injury report for virtually the entire season, and he still has managed to put up extraordinary numbers weekly. On Thursday, he was fully participating in practice.

Even though the Chargers bring with them a 13-3 record, an 11-game win streak and home-field advantage in this week’s Divisional Playoff game against New York, the Jets (9-7) cannot be overlooked. They are playing well at the right time and are a formidable opponent that can still offer a challenge.

Offensively, the Jets are number one in the league rushing the ball. Also, they have a very good rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez. The Jets also lead the league in defense and bring with them a lot of pressure in creative blitz packages, plus one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Darrelle Revis.

For the Chargers to win, they will have to find away to limit running backs Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones. Earlier in the season, this may have seemed like a daunting task when the Chargers were 2-3 and ranked last in the league against the rush. Fortunately, since then, the Chargers have become much better at stopping the run.

“Just statistically, you see that over the last 10 games, it’s a total difference,” says Turner. “Early, we were either injured or new. That’s not a good combination.”

Now, according to Shaun Phillips, “We’ve learned that we have to stop the run collectively.”

Luis Castillo concurs: “We’re significantly better. It doesn’t always translate in numbers. I think a lot of times it translates to not giving up the big play.”

In stopping the big play, the Chargers will have to pressure Sanchez. Castillo believes it is a mistake to consider him as a rookie quarterback.

“By this point in the season, he’s going into year two,” says Castillo. “He’s got 16 games under his belt, and he’s done an outstanding job.”

LT: Excited about the playoffs.

Chargers.com

Shawne Merriman agrees: “It’s important because we expect them to run the ball first because they are one of the best teams in doing so. But when it’s time for them to throw the ball, it’s time to get after him and make him make some decisions that he doesn’t want to make.”

With the number one running attack and an above average quarterback, it should be expected that the Jets will be able to move the ball and get some points on the board. The important thing for the Chargers defense is to avoid the big play.

Even through injuries, the Chargers defense has been consistent at avoiding those game-changing plays and making stops in the red zone. With a Chargers defense that is as healthy as it has been all year, they would be expected to make some defensive stands, forcing the Jets to attempt field goals instead of converting touchdowns.

For the Chargers offense to score touchdowns, “We need to run the football,” says Turner. The Jets defense has only allowed eight passing touchdowns all season.

Statistically, LaDainian Tomlinson has not had a season up to his usual standards, with 730 yards rushing and a 3.3 yards per carry average. However, he has still managed to post 12 rushing touchdowns and has been improving toward the latter part of the season. Most importantly, Tomlinson is healthy.

“I’m excited about it,” says Tomlinson. “It’s been a while since that divisional game when we lost to the Patriots, the last time I was actually healthy in the playoffs. So, I’m excited about it. I get to go out and turn it loose and whatever happens, happens.”

Philip Rivers is wary of Jets

cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Chargers.com

One of the key matchups will be Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson against Jets corner Revis. “I don’t like the term ‘shutdown corner’ because I think that’s hard to find, and it gets thrown around pretty loosely,” says Turner. “But I think I might use that term with Revis.”

Philip Rivers agrees. “He stacks right up there with the best of them,” says Rivers. “He’s just very patient; for as much press as he plays, he’s a very patient corner. Obviously, you see when he gets his hands on the ball, he catches it. That’s not always the case for those defensive backs, but if he gets his hands on it, he usually comes out with it.”

However, there are ways of dealing with Revis. Jackson’s blocking abilities have been important on multiple occasions as he set blocks that freed his teammates to convert short passes into long touchdown plays.

Jackson was asked in a press conference in December about his blocking abilities: “We have a pretty stacked team. You know there are a lot of weapons on offense, and sometimes I am going to just have to draw those double coverages and do my job in the blocking game.”

Jackson’s selflessness is emblematic of the Chargers team as whole and may be the "X" factor in determining how far this Chargers team can go in the playoffs. They Chargers have the weapons to be successful, and the team is very aware of what's at stake.

“There’s no quitting in the playoffs,” says Merriman. “Because everyone on the team knows if you lose, you go home.”

(SanDiego.com sportswriter Dan McLellan picks the Chargers to win, 31-16. What’s your pick?)