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My gut tells me that the Jets’
. . . run defense isn’t going to be a big problem on Sunday. Marshawn Lynch will get his yards, but I don’t see an embarrassing performance for the Jets’ run defense like last Sunday.
The bigger concern this week is probably their pass defense. Like I’ve mentioned on a few occasions, the Jets’ cornerback play in training camp was very uneven. And in Oakland, the Jets cornerbacks will be facing a more talented group than they were facing in Jets camp this summer. Wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Seth Roberts present a huge challenge for the Jets’ cornerbacks. Speedy tight end Jared Cook presents a big challenge to Darron Lee and the Jets safeties.
The Jets better get a pass rush because if they don’t, Derek Carr could have a big day after the Jets’ pass defense, which was a little shaky this summer.
Carr and the Raiders present a much bigger challenge to the Jets pass defense than Tyrod Taylor and the Bills. It’s not even close . . .’
A couple of injury matters to go over.
First off, one of the Raiders’ starting cornerback, Sean Smith, is questionable with a neck injury and never practiced full this week. He will likely be a game-day decision, and if he doesn’t play, that would certainly help the Jets.
One possible area of concern for the Jets about their injury report: Backup inside linebacker Bruce Carter (ankle) and reserve safety Rontez Miles (eye) are both out. You might be wondering why I consider this a big deal since they are both backups. They are two of the Jets’ best kick and punt cover guys, and the Jets are facing Corderelle Patterson, a superb kick returner.
“I haven’t slept much this week,” said Jets special team’s coach Brant Boyer when asked about Patterson. “I think he’s the best kick returner in the game. He’s got some of the best vision in the game. He’s electrifying as far as his cut back ability. He has breakaway speed. He breaks tackles. In the scheme that they run, it makes him even more dangerous. He does a great job.”
Carter and Miles are both excellent on kick return, so they would have been a big help this week for the Jets in dealing with Patterson.
It will be interesting to see how the Jets fill their void . . .
No question defensive end Kalil Mack is a great player – maybe the best defensive player in the league. But while he’s superb, he can’t do it all by himself, and the Raider defense around him is good, not great. If the Jets have a great offensive game plan, they should be able to score on these guys.
But the question is, can the Jets keep up with the Raiders high-powered offense on the scoreboard? I think the Jets can score on these guys, but can they score enough?
September 15, 2017
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