On paper, these were mismatches, two playoff teams likely with elite offenses facing the Jets’ pathetic defense.
To make matters worse, Gang Green was still working on a new defensive coordinator following the dismissal of Gregg Williams. In their first game without a defensive guru, the Jets allowed the Seahawks a huge 40 points in an ugly defeat. At the time, the makeshift group allowed at least 30 points in five of the previous six games.
“Obviously, the Seahawks game was the first game after all the changes and so on,” safety Marcus Maye said Monday. “Everything was in the air.”
Apparently, the defense only needed some time to adjust. No one knew, however, that it would make such a difference. Led by Williams’ replacement, Frank Bush, the Jets defense upset Rams and Browns, keeping the two teams at 36 points combined while forcing four turnovers. The win over the Browns came without star defensive line Quinnen Williams. They replaced defender Avery Williamson and lost defender Brian Poole to injury.
“I think the boys play much more freely, they don’t necessarily think and worry [certain things]”Maye said.
Both Maye and coach Adam Gase gave credit to everyone on that side of the ball, from players to coaches, because they ended up on the same page. Maye specifically chose Bush, who was previously the team’s head coach and line coach, saying he was doing a “wonderful job,” organizing everyone together. This may sound simple, but the communication is something that has eluded the Jets defense for much of the season. Remember how much the players were surprised by Gregg Williams’ decision to call a complete flash in the final seconds of a heartbreaking loss for the Raiders?
So, with only four starters left in the opening against Bills, the defense is playing at its best. Inexperienced players were pushed into more prominent roles. Bush, 57, has been announcing the songs for the first time in more than a decade. This is new for everyone.
“I feel like the whole side of the ball did a good job of tightening,” Gase said.
Part of the unit’s success can be traced back to crime. The offense did not commit a turnover in any of the victories, ensuring that the defense will not be put in difficult positions.
However, he faced two high-caliber offenses, even though the Browns were in the top four receivers because of the COVID-19 protocols. Aries was in power.
The jets contained both attacks. They had seven bags in the two games. They were particularly effective in the opening innings, allowing a total of six points. Every week there were different stars. On Sunday, in front of Tarell Basham – “Energizer Bunny” of the team, according to Gase, he was forced in front of the line of force, which forced headaches on the last two possessions of Browns. A week earlier, defensive linemen Quinnen Williams and Nathan Shepherd wreaked havoc. The group limited the Browns’ rapid attack to 45 meters on 18 ports. The previous week, Rams’ dynamic passing game was 189 meters through the air.
“It was just a big effort for everyone to get together, do their job, do their homework, just make every 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 only been a great two weeks.”