Jets' defense preparing to bounce back against Patriots' 'simple' but effective offense
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Sauce Gardner has watched video of the New England Patriots' offense and it seems easy to understand.
Stopping it, however, is a different story. And that's the upcoming task for a New York Jets defense looking to bounce back after a rough outing at Dallas last Sunday.
“They don’t really have a complex offense,” Gardner said of the Patriots. “You know, it’s pretty simple for the quarterback to get, the gap scheme, everything is really like simple. But it’s like they excel at it, you know what I mean? What they try to do is get other people to mess up and make mistakes.
"They just do everything right.”
The Jets cornerback was complimenting the way Bill O'Brien's offense executes the game plan, although using the word “simple” could rankle some around the Patriots' facility. New England is 0-2, but has come down to the wire in season-opening losses to Philadelphia (25-20) and Miami (24-17).
Mac Jones has thrown four touchdown passes with two interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 88.3 through the first two games. The Patriots are ranked in the middle of the pack — 14th overall — in offense and missed several opportunities last Sunday to beat the Dolphins. But the Jets are talking them up ahead of their AFC East showdown at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
“They're dominant, man,” defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said. "They've got a great quarterback in Mac Jones who can throw the ball anywhere he wants to throw it. He can run also, a little bit. They've got a great offensive front, a great, powerful running back (Rhamondre Stevenson) who runs the ball tough, runs the ball hard.
“I think they move efficiently just every single play.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh echoed those sentiments, pointing out the Patriots have played well against two strong defenses.
“They’re doing a really nice job of methodically moving the ball and playing good, sound, ahead of the chains football, if you will,” Saleh said. “Getting the ball in and out of the quarterback's hands very quickly. They’re effective in the run game, so they’re doing a really nice job.”
Jones has started four times against the Jets — the last four victories in New England's active 14-game winning streak against New York. He's 93 of 128 (72.7%) for 933 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, but has been sacked 16 times.
“I’ve had a chance to play against this defense a lot, but they’ve done a great job,” Jones said. “They affect the quarterback. They push the pocket. They’re relentless. They run to the ball. They do everything right. So, it’s a big challenge.”
Heading into the season opener against Buffalo, cornerback D.J. Reed said the Jets' defense could rank among the greatest units in league history if it plays to its potential. Well, New York might have been a bit humbled after its performance against the Cowboys, when it couldn't get Dak Prescott and the offense off the field.
Dallas dominated time of possession — 42:15 compared to the Jets’ 17:45 — and converted nine of 18 third downs in the Cowboys' 30-10 rout.
“For me, it’s just our situational football with regards to third down,” Saleh said. “There’s just a lot of third-down opportunities that we felt like we could have been better at, both as coaches and as players. Like I said, we just didn’t get it done.”
The Patriots are 14th in the NFL on third-down opportunities through two games, converting 12 of 30 chances. The Jets know that area will be a key again this week to get off the field consistently and give their own offense more time on the field.
“I would say we've just got the mentality like we've got to shake back,” Gardner said. “We didn't perform like we really wanted to. We can't dwell on the past. All we can do is look forward to this week and bounce back.”
NOTES: S Tony Adams (hamstring), LT Duane Brown (shoulder/hip), DL John Franklin-Myers (hip) and K Greg Zuerlein (groin) didn't practice. RT Mekhi Becton (knee), CB Michael Carter II (elbow), RB Breece Hall (knee) and LB Quincy Williams (knee) were limited. ... Saleh said the Jets weren't considering any changes to the offensive line, despite its struggles the first two games. “The same group ran for 180 yards against Buffalo, so what happened on Sunday and, it is what it is, it just wasn’t our best day coaching, playing, executing, all of it,” Saleh said. “And it’s just turning the page over and just trying to figure out how we can get back on track.”
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