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If the Jets want to be considered an elite defense, they must play the run better.
A big reason they lost to the Las Vegas Raiders was their run defense, and then in Buffalo, there were a lot of reasons, including giving up 130 yards rushing.
Currently, the Jets are the NFL’s 30th-ranked rush defense, giving up an average of 137.6 yards per game.
It goes without saying, that isn’t good enough.
Obviously part of the problem is teams are dialing up a lot of running plays because it’s hard to pass on the Jets, with their top-shelf pass rusher, and talented cornerback duo of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed.
But another issue is related to the size of some of the defensive linemen.
While it helps some of them excel as pass rushers by being quick and light on their feet, it sometimes hurts when it comes to run defense.
But the thing I don’t get sometimes, is why certain guys are on the field on, on let’s say 3rd-and-2, like a small DT in the middle, or an undersized edge rusher on the outside.
I will give you an example from the Jets 32-6 loss to Buffalo.
Here is the play from the official stats sheet:
3-2-NYJ 44 (7:36) (Shotgun) L.Murray right guard to NYJ 41 for 3 yards (J.Whitehead; Q.Williams).
On the play, Bryce Huff was playing left defensive end, and the Bills ran right at him. Huff is a heck of a player but he’s 6-2, 255. He’s not really built to play on third-and-short running plays.
Teams used to use what are called “jumbo packages” in those kind of scenarios. Sometimes it seems like the Jets just stay with their defensive line rotations, and just move guys in and out, based on a set rotation.
But sometimes, you look at these third-and-short situations, and look at some of the defensive linemen out there, and think, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
Now losing 330-pound nose tackle Al Woods to a season-ending injury didn’t help, but still, on third-and-short, you need to go with perhaps the biggest guys you have, not just stick to a set rotation.
Being great at situational football is one of the keys to success in the NFL.
The Jets better bring their “A” game against the run this week, because Miami’s system, contrary to its reputation, is a run-first system. Remember that before Mike McDaniel became the Miami Dolphins head coach, he was the San Francisco 49ers’ run game coordinator. He’s a run game guru. So while they love throwing to Tyreek Hill, they love to call running games just as much.
And while the Jets’ defense deserves a lot of credit for carrying this team most of the season, their run defense certainly leaves you wanting more.
Too many teams going over 100 yards rushing this season.
If the Jets defense really wants to help first-team Jets starting QB Tim Boyle succeed, they need to keep the score down, and that isn’t just stopping the pass, which they have been good at, but playing much better against the run, to cut down on play-action and bootleg opportunities, that average-armed Tua Tagovailoa often needs to create separation, and bigger throwing windows to pass in to.
November 23, 2023
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