New York Jets Need Defensive Improvements in Preseason Game 2
As the starters see increased time in game two, the New York Jets need to see the defense step up and make progress.
When the preseason schedule begins, it is typical for the defense to be ahead of the offense in the progression towards the regular season. But as usual, the New York Jets are anything but typical. Armed with their newly re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, they went down the field for an early touchdown with the first team offense. Bryce Petty was miles ahead of this time last year, and even the beleaguered Geno Smith threw a touchdown pass.
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The same could not be said for the defense. They didn’t break all the time, but they certainly bent for most of the game. Granted, the first team wasn’t in the game for very long, but for the time they were, there was plenty of room for improvement.
On the opening drive of the context, Blake Bortles and his Jaguars had their way with the Jets’ starting defense. It went eight yards to T.J. Yeldon out of the backfield, handoff to Yeldon for five yards, give to Chris Ivory for 12, a quick pass to Ivory for four, a long pass to Allen Robinson for 19 yards, 10 yards to Ivory, and they marched down the field. It took a Leonard Williams sack to prevent the drive from ending in a very easy touchdown.
Bortles went 3-of-4 on the drive and the Jaguars made it look rather easy. Yes, it was the first drive of the year, but not a good look for a team with playoff aspirations.
On the ensuing drive, the Jags went for their only touchdown, though it was against primarily the Jets’ second team defense. This will be a big week for Dee Milliner. On the second drive of the game, he allowed 61 yards all by himself, and looked like a player that will be searching for a job by the end of the preseason. How much of an opportunity will he get to redeem himself in Washington? Will the Jets be looking at how to fill his spot with someone else?
It’s a mighty fall for a former first-round draft pick.
Now, the Jets may get a boost on Friday night from a returning superstar. Last week, Muhammad Wilkerson was taken off of the PUP list, and according to Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News, participated in team drills. Will he play in the game? Potentially, according to head coach Todd Bowles (team press release):
"Mo’s been practicing. We’ll see. We’ll talk about it and go from there. He’s got a better chance than Matt though."
That will certainly help if Mo is back on the field.
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It wasn’t all bad for the defense. Rookie Darron Lee looked very fast and registered his first sack. They did hold the Jags to a mere 1-of-11 on third down. The defense wasn’t terrible. But the starters were clearly behind where they need to be, and have a long way to go before Week 1 rolls around.
It starts again Friday night against the Washington Redskins.