The book on the New York Jets‘ defense may just finally be out. It’s up to Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich to throw a counterpunch.
And they’d better do so in a hurry if they want to beat the Patriots.
Since Saleh and Ulbrich joined the Jets in 2021, it’s been pretty obvious that the Rodgers heel of the defense is any play that punishes overpursuit. Their one-gapping, quick-penetrating approach allows teams to let the wave of aggressiveness pass and then gain a tremendous numbers advantage for the actual play. Draws, counterplays, and screens do exactly that.