The Jets’ defense has had some issues against the run in several games this season.
When a team struggles to stop the run, a finger is often pointed at the linebacker play.
After all, when most people think of run defense, linebacker is usually a focal point, and rightfully so.
But while the Jets’ linebacker could certainly play better against the run, there is a big run defense issue impacting their play that can’t be ignored.
A perfect example was in the third quarter against Las Vegas.
Raiders running back Mike Washington had a 15-yard run to the left side.
Since the Raiders didn’t think they needed to double-team either defensive lineman playing in front of Davis on that side, left guard Spencer Burford easily pulled to the second level and engulfed Davis.
This scenario has played out over and over for Jets linebackers Davis and Jamien Sherwood this season, getting engulfed by linemen pulling to the second level because offensive lines don’t feel they need to double any of the Jets’ defensive linemen.
When you have defensive linemen who take up double teams, it often allows linebackers to flow to the ball and make a bunch of tackles. This hasn’t happened nearly enough for the Jets’ linebackers this year, with offensive linemen often getting to the second level and enveloping them.
Once again, of course, Davis and Sherwood, like all Jets defenders, need to play better against the run, but too often in games, if you look at the film, they have to deal with offensive linemen, who sometimes outweigh them by 100 pounds, pulling to the second level and pounding them.
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