On paper, it was not agreements, two likely playoff teams with elite offenses facing the Jets’ dismal defense.
To make matters worse, Gang Green continued to work in a new defense coordinator in the wake of Gregg Williams’ dismissal. In their first game without the rude defensive guru, the Jets allowed an almighty 40 points for the Seahawks in an ugly defeat. At the time, the temporary group had conceded at least 30 points in five of its previous six games.
“Clearly, the Seahawks game was the first game after all the changes and all that,” safety Marcus Maye said Monday. “Everything was in the air.”
The defense apparently only needed a little time to adjust. However, no one knew it would make such a difference. Led by Williams’ replacement Frank Bush, the Jets defense picked up on the upset of the Rams and Browns, who kept the two teams at a combined point of 36 while forcing four times. The victory over the Browns came without defensive linebacker Quinnen Williams. They traded starting lineup Avery Williamson and losing starting lineup Brian Poole.
‘I think the guys just play a lot more freely and do not necessarily think about it [certain things], ”Maye said.
Both Maye and coach Adam Gase all attributed on that side of the ball, from players to coaches, that they came on the same page. Maye singled out Bush, who was previously the team’s assistant head coach and linebacker, and said he was doing a “good job” of getting everyone organized and together. It may seem simple, but communication is something that the Jets defense has eluded for much of the season. Do you remember how the Gregg Williams’ decision to name an overall blitz in the final seconds of a heartbreaking loss for the Raiders surprised his players?
The defense is therefore playing at its best, even though there are only four beginners left from the opening camp against the Bill. Inexperienced players are applied in more prominent roles. The 57-year-old Bush mentions the plays for the first time in more than a decade. This is new to everyone.
“I feel like the whole side of the ball did a great job of pulling together,” Gase said.
Part of the unit’s success can be traced back to the offense. The offense did not make a turnover in any of the victories, and ensured that the defense would not be placed in difficult positions.
Nevertheless, the two offenses were of high quality, even though the browns were among the four best recipients due to COVID-19 protocols. The Rams were at full strength.
The Jets contain both attacks. They had seven bags in the two games. They were particularly effective in the first half, making a combined six points possible. There were different stars every week. On Sunday, it was the linebacker player Tarell Basham – according to the team’s “Energizer Bunny”, who according to Gase fumbled on the Browns’ last two possessions. The week before, defensive lines Quinnen Williams and Nathan Shepherd wreaked havoc. The group limited the Browns’ fourth position on 18 runs to 45 yards. Last week, the Rams’ dynamic passing game was held up to 189 meters through the air.
“It was just a big effort to just get everyone together, do their job, do their assignments, just do everything, no matter what situation we are in,” Maye said. ‘Everyone is on the same page, between the players and the coaching staff.
“It was just a wonderful two weeks.”