New York Jets: 5 Ways they can upset Colts

Sep 3, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles during first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

4. Manufacturing pressure and covering

Bowles made the Arizona Cardinals defense one of the NFL’s most fearsome units in 2014, allowing the Cards to make it into the postseason despite having a terrible quarterback situation, broken running game, and a severe lack of big-name pass rushers outside of Calais Campbell. Not only is Bowles a defensive genius, but he’s one of the best in the business at manufacturing pressure.

Last week, the Bills held Luck down to just 5.0 yards per attempt, which is just about unheard of, and they did it by constantly getting after him. Luck was only sacked twice last Sunday, but he was hit six times and was never able to get into a rhythm. The Colts have a good, young tackle duo in Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort, but it’s the interior that can be exploited through the use of blitzes.

Both of Luck’s picks in Week 1 came when the Bills blitzed him, and he looked inaccurate and out of sync whenever the Bills brought extra men at him. This led to the Bills defending 12 passes, and the Jets have the talent in the secondary (Buster Skrine and the rising Marcus Williams are worth mentioning here, so Antonio Cromartie wouldn’t be missed too much) to do the same.

Outside of Wilkerson, none of the Jets pass rushers did much damage on their own against Cleveland, but this team still managed to get three sacks on the Browns despite this.

Next: Spreading the defense