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Chargers News: Jets Game Bumped, Defensive TDs Lead, Stopping Cam Newton

By Danny Cox

The San Diego Chargers haven't had the greatest season in the world, but they are coming off of an impressive 34-24 victory over the possibly playoff bound Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately though, that victory wasn't enough to keep the Chargers in their primetime slot for an upcoming game.

Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers
(Credit, Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The game on Dec. 23, 2012, between the Chargers and the New York Jets was originally scheduled for 8:20 p.m. on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." It has now been bumped out of that spot and flexed to a 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff. The game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers has been moved into the late Sunday timeslot.

Back in October 2011, the Chargers lost to the Jets 27-21 in another 1:00 p.m. EST start time.

Chargers tied with Bears for NFL's defensive touchdown lead

This past Sunday, the Chargers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and it was a game that saw a masterful performance from the defense. In the second half, the Chargers had built a great 20-3 lead before giving the ball back to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offense.

As Big Ben dropped back to pass, Chargers linebacker Jarret Johnson pushed Steelers lineman David Paulson backward and into the line of travel of the football. Technically, the ball did get thrown backwards, into the end zone, and therefore making it a live fumble.

Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer dove right on top of it to score the defensive touchdown. This helped the defensive touchdown total for San Diego raise up to seven for the season.

That number is tied for best in the league with the Chicago Bears.

Stopping Cam Newton will be key to beating the Panthers

For really the first time this season, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers finally looked like the quarterback he was supposed to be as his team defeated the Atlanta Falcons. He passed all over the place and ran so fast that no one could catch him. If the Chargers are going to want to try for a winning streak, then stopping Newton must be their top priority this weekend.

San Diego's defense is ranked fourth against the run while allowing only 92.5 yards per game on the ground. They have actually held six of their 13 opponents to 75 or less rushing yards this season, and that is saying a lot. Now, the problem this upcoming weekend is not only stopping the Panther running backs on the ground, but also their quarterback.

Newton is very dangerous with his arm and he proved that against the Falcons. The big thing to worry about though is that he is also good with his legs and if one eye is taken off of him then he's going to make the Chargers pay for it.

If the Chargers can somehow replicate the performance they had defensively against the Steelers this past Sunday, then they can most certainly handle the Panthers too. Injuries didn't seem to faze San Diego as they shut down both the passing and running games of the Steelers while dominating them when they had the ball too.

Someone on the Chargers' defense though is going to have to be assigned to strictly watching Cam Newton or it is going to be a very long day on the field.

For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Chargers news, see CBS Sports Los Angeles.

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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