On paper, these were mismatches, two likely playoff teams with elite offenses facing the Jets ’unfortunate defense.
To make matters worse, Gang Green was still working on a new defensive coordinator following the resignation of Gregg Williams. In their first game without the cheeky defensive guru, the Jets allowed the Seahawks a whopping 40-point defeat. At the time, the makeshift group had allowed at least 30 points in five of its previous six games.
“Viously, obviously, the Seahawks game was the first game after all the changes and all that,” safety Marcus Maye said Monday. “Everything was in the air.”
Apparently, the defense only needed time to adjust. No one knew, however, that it would create that difference. Led by Williams’ substitute Frank Bush, the Jets defense caused inconvenience to the Rams and Browns, keeping the two teams at 36 points combined while forcing four rotations. The win over the Browns came without star defender Quinnen Williams. They have changed striker Avery Williamson and lost outfielder Brian Poole to injury.
“I think the boys play much freer, they don’t necessarily think and care [certain things]”Maye said.
Both Maye and coach Adam Gase believed that everyone on that side of the ball, from players to coaches, had entered the same page. Maye specifically pointed to Bush, who was previously the team’s assistant coach and defense coach, and said he was doing a “great job” getting everyone organized and together. It may sound simple, but communication is something that has dodged the Jets ’defense for much of the season. Remember how surprised his players were by Gregg Williams ’decision to call a total blitz in the final seconds of a heartbreaking defeat against the Raiders?
So, even in the absence of four starters for the opening against the Bills, the defense is playing to the fullest. Inexperienced players have been wrapped up in more prominent roles. Bush, 57, convenes the works for the first time in more than a decade. This is new for everyone.
“I feel like the whole side of the ball has done a good job,” Gase said.
Part of the success of the unit can be sought in the offense. The offensive did not produce any rotation in either victory, which ensured that the defense was not put in difficult positions.
Still, he faced two high-caliber offenses, even if the Browns had dropped the first four receivers due to the COVID-19 protocols. The Rams were in full force.
The Jets contained both attacks. They had seven sacks in both games. They were particularly effective in the opening halves, adding six points. There were different stars every week. On Sunday, he was out of defender Tarell Basham, the team’s “Energizer Bunny,” according to Gase, who forced garbage on the Browns’ last two possessions. The previous week, defensive linemen Quinnen Williams and Nathan Shepherd wreaked havoc. The group limited the Browns’ fourth offense to 45 yards on 18 carries. The previous week, the Rams ’dynamic passing game was held at 189 yards through the air.
“It’s been a great effort from everyone who just comes together, does their job, does their homework, just makes a total effort, no matter what situation we may be in,” Maye said. “Everyone is on the same page, between the players and the coaching staff.
“It’s been a fantastic two weeks.”