The Patriots have scored 76 points through two weeks, and if the Jets want any chance to beat New England in Week 3, their defense will need to hold that potent Patriots offense in check.
It will be no easy task considering the Jets have given up 39 points in their last six quarters of football. Even worse, they could be without C.J. Mosley for another week as well as leading pass rusher Jordan Jenkins. Gregg Williams’ defense looked competent for the first half against the Browns, but broke down quickly. That can’t happen against a Patriots team led by Tom Brady and flanked by some of the most dangerous offensive players in the league.
Here are four keys to the Jets defense in Week 3.
Don’t give up the big play
The Jets defense actually held it’s own against the Browns in Week 2… until Odell Beckham Jr. took a pass 89 yards to the house late in the third quarter to push Cleveland’s lead to 20. That type of lapse in defense cannot happen against the Patriots, who have thrived on the big plays this season, especially in the passing game.
The Patriots have averaged 14.2 yards per completion through two weeks, which is third behind only the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, and four of Tom Brady’s five touchdowns this season have been for 20 yards or longer. Julian Edelman, Antonio Brown, Josh Gordon and Philip Dorsett can all break off big gains. If the Jets give Patriots’ receivers any cushion in coverage, Brady will exploit it for a big gain and possibly a score.
Stop the running game
The Patriots have looked pedestrian in the running game this year. Sony Michel played well against a soft Dolphins defense but struggled against the Steelers. The Jets, meanwhile, have looked competent in their rush defense, even without their two starting inside linebackers and rookie Quinnen Williams.
Turning the Patriots into a one-dimensional offense might not stop them from scoring, but it could slow them down and allow the Jets defense a better chance at forcing turnovers.
Get to Tom Brady
Tom Brady may not show signs of his age, but the quarterback is still 42 years old and won’t be able to run away from everything. The Jets pass rush looked pathetic in Week 2, but it has a chance to rebound against a depleted Patriots offensive line. With so many offensive weapons to account for on the Patriots, disrupting Brady is the key to disrupting them all.
Tarell Basham looked pretty good stepping up for the injured Jordan Jenkins, and his speed on the outside will be important in the Jets’ endeavor to pressure Brady. Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson must also find a way to become factors as well, since neither have a sack yet this season.
Don’t let James White or Rex Burkhead catch passes
Tom Brady is an expert at getting the most out of every skill position player on the Patriots, especially the running backs. James White and Rex Burkhead are second and third in targets behind Julian Edelman, and Brady loves to use them when they have space to run. The Jets linebackers will need to key in on both players throughout the contest, as they average just over 10 yards per reception.
Combined, the duo only has 20 rushing attempts on the year, meaning when one or both are on the field it’s likely a passing play, and likely to them as well. White and Burkhead have only played in 91 snaps this season, but they’ve been touched the ball a third of the snaps they’ve seen.
