Some tell-tale signs that the Jets have a dominant defense:
1. Turnovers
You can't do much better than leading the league with 13 turnovers, an obscene number thru four games.
2. Harass the Quarerback
While we are in the middle of the pack with sacks, I've been pleased for the most part with the pressure and hits on the QB and a lot of the turnovers are attributed to that.
3. Stop the Run and make offenses one dimensional
It hasn't been perfect, we still need to work on our gap responsibilities, not surprising with a new coach and new system, but other than the Eagles game where the entire team laid an egg, I think we've mostly turned our opponents rushing attacks into non factors, and now we get Sheldon back, arguably our best D-lineman, so 2 & 3 only figures to improve going forward, a scary proposition for the remaining teams on our schedule.
4. 3rd and 4th Down Stops
18 consecutive stops on 3rd Down and 4 consecutive stops on 4th Down is almost unreal in todays arena-league NFL, regardless of the opponent. This is 2000 Ravens level dominance on 3rd Down and its probably the most underrated defensive stat in all of football. If you can consistently get off the field on 3rd and 4th Downs, not only does it help your own offense by giving them more possessions and allowing them to stay in a rhythm, it also helps their own cause, allows us to control time of possession, and keeps the defense fresh for four quarters.
5. Total Yards Per Game Allowed
The Jets currently rank third overall at 280.2 YPG Allowed, slightly behind Seattle (278.8) and Denver (275.5)
6. Points Allowed
Last but not least, until they stop keeping score in these games this is the bottom line statistic. When all is said and done, this is the one that wins and loses ball games, and the Jets defense leads the league thru four games having surrendered a minuscule 55 Points (13.8 PPG), almost four PPG less than the team that ranks second. Oh and 7 of those 55 Points came on a Darren Sproles punt return, so its really 48 Points (12 PPG) the defense has surrendered thru four games.
BOTTOM LINE
What you see reflected here is a dominant defense from top to bottom. Not 85 Bears level dominance, we may never see anything like that again due to the rules changes over the past few decades, all favoring the offense, but this is recent Seahawks level dominance and the Seahawks have played in the last two Super Bowls. This defense is dominant at the line of scrimmage, but terrific at the backend in pass coverage as well. There's some big-time ballhawking going on back there.
When you have both of these elements working together, you have something special. Right now the Jets appear to have something special, and Sheldon Richardson has yet to play a down of football for this team, which all ends following the bye week. Scary proposition. I think we need better production off the edge to reach the level of a transcendent defense, but I'm encouraged that Mauldin and Reilly will only get better with more opportunities to rush the passer as the season progresses, especially with Sheldon added to an already dominating D-line in front of them.
1. Turnovers
You can't do much better than leading the league with 13 turnovers, an obscene number thru four games.
2. Harass the Quarerback
While we are in the middle of the pack with sacks, I've been pleased for the most part with the pressure and hits on the QB and a lot of the turnovers are attributed to that.
3. Stop the Run and make offenses one dimensional
It hasn't been perfect, we still need to work on our gap responsibilities, not surprising with a new coach and new system, but other than the Eagles game where the entire team laid an egg, I think we've mostly turned our opponents rushing attacks into non factors, and now we get Sheldon back, arguably our best D-lineman, so 2 & 3 only figures to improve going forward, a scary proposition for the remaining teams on our schedule.
4. 3rd and 4th Down Stops
18 consecutive stops on 3rd Down and 4 consecutive stops on 4th Down is almost unreal in todays arena-league NFL, regardless of the opponent. This is 2000 Ravens level dominance on 3rd Down and its probably the most underrated defensive stat in all of football. If you can consistently get off the field on 3rd and 4th Downs, not only does it help your own offense by giving them more possessions and allowing them to stay in a rhythm, it also helps their own cause, allows us to control time of possession, and keeps the defense fresh for four quarters.
5. Total Yards Per Game Allowed
The Jets currently rank third overall at 280.2 YPG Allowed, slightly behind Seattle (278.8) and Denver (275.5)
6. Points Allowed
Last but not least, until they stop keeping score in these games this is the bottom line statistic. When all is said and done, this is the one that wins and loses ball games, and the Jets defense leads the league thru four games having surrendered a minuscule 55 Points (13.8 PPG), almost four PPG less than the team that ranks second. Oh and 7 of those 55 Points came on a Darren Sproles punt return, so its really 48 Points (12 PPG) the defense has surrendered thru four games.
BOTTOM LINE
What you see reflected here is a dominant defense from top to bottom. Not 85 Bears level dominance, we may never see anything like that again due to the rules changes over the past few decades, all favoring the offense, but this is recent Seahawks level dominance and the Seahawks have played in the last two Super Bowls. This defense is dominant at the line of scrimmage, but terrific at the backend in pass coverage as well. There's some big-time ballhawking going on back there.
When you have both of these elements working together, you have something special. Right now the Jets appear to have something special, and Sheldon Richardson has yet to play a down of football for this team, which all ends following the bye week. Scary proposition. I think we need better production off the edge to reach the level of a transcendent defense, but I'm encouraged that Mauldin and Reilly will only get better with more opportunities to rush the passer as the season progresses, especially with Sheldon added to an already dominating D-line in front of them.
