NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New York Jets: Midseason report card for 2017 season

By Stephen Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Jets ranked 20th in the NFL in scoring defense (23.0 PPG) entering Sunday’s action but there are some positive signs moving forward. After collecting just 11 sacks in their first eight outings, Gang Green recorded seven against the Buffalo Bills last Thursday. After being invisible for most of the season, Muhammad Wilkerson has played brilliantly his last three games with two sacks and numerous QB hits. He looks like a Pro Bowl player again.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Leonard Wiliams has been somewhat  disappointing so far but he did get a half sack against the Bills in Week 0. His play is improving. Linebacker Demario Davis has done a fine job replacing David Harris at linebacker and leads the team in sacks (3.5) and solo tackles (54). Darron Lee has stepped up his performance in his second season with 45 solo tackles (second on the team), two sacks, three passes defensed and a pair of forced fumbles. Both Davis and Lee bring the dimension of speed to the linebacker corps that was missing in recent years.

The highlight for the Jets defense this season is the development of rookie safties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Both have been excellent in run support and both rank in the top five in tackles. More importantly, however, is the support they have given over the top in pass coverage. Remember, the Jets got burned for a myriad of long touchdown passes in 2016. In fact, they gave up 30 touchdown passes last year, a number that had to improve drastically. Adams and Maye have played well enough to potentially land on this year’s NFL All-Rookie Team. They are that impressive and have a bright future moving forward.

Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine have had their share of good and bad performances but both have played well lately. Claiborne did an excellent job blanketing Julio Jones in Week 8 before leaving the game with a foot injury. This defensive unit as a whole started off very shaky this season but are trending upward heading into their game with Tampa Bay in Week 10. They seem to have found their pass rush. Finally.

Grade: B-

Home/New York Jets